FC Dallas are gearing up for a momentous challenge as they face Inter Miami CF in the Round of 16 of * Leagues Cup 2023, with the Florida-based club bolstered by the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. With just hours remaining before the encounter FC Dallas* head coach Nicolás Estévez knows the pressure is on his squad to deliver, and that the spotlight will be firmly on Toyota Stadium this evening.
Speaking ahead of the showdown against Tata Martino's star-studded team, Estévez acknowledged that Sunday's match will be far from ordinary. The magnitude of a knockout stage fixture coupled with the profile of the opposition has heightened the stakes for both sides. However, the Spanish tactician remains confident in his team's abilities and boldly stated, "We will try to be the bad guys in Messi's Major League Soccer story."
Estévez recognizes the significance of Messi's influence, stating, "Messi's arrival changed everything. Pep Guardiola has already made it clear. The team with Lionel Messi is always the favourite.”
FC Dallas' journey in the Leagues Cup hasn't been without its challenges. After a hard-fought 2-2 draw in their opening match, they suffered a 4-1 defeat in the penalty shootout against Charlotte FC. However, the Texas-based team bounced back with a crucial 3-0 victory over LIGA MX side Necaxa. They followed up with a 2-1 triumph against another Mexican side in Mazatlán, securing their place in the Round of 16.
A few weeks ago, FC Dallas' position as the eighth-placed team in the MLS Western Conference might have seen them as relative favourites. But the recent influx of top-tier talent to Inter Miami CF has certainly shifted the dynamic and the narrative. Messi's combination of skill, vision, and experience, along with the veteran prowess of Busquets and Alba, has elevated Inter Miami to new heights.
