How unheralded Inter Miami player shines in Lionel Messi's shadow
Lionel Messi is off to a stellar start in the States.
On Wednesday, he scored yet another brace — his second consecutive two-goal match — to lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup.
But while Messi's performance was strong, perhaps the most eye-catching thing about this Miami team is how much better the rest of the squad looks now that Messi is present.
No one embodies this more than Finnish utility player Robert Taylor. He spent the early years of his career bouncing around the English lower divisions, watching contracts disappear as his teams went through various financial hardships. He returned to Finland in his mid-20 unsure of his future and considered leaving the sport altogether.
When Inter Miami signed Taylor in 2022, he looked solid. He is an attacking threat in midfield and willing to do whatever his coaches needed.
Messi's arrival this summer could've made a player like Taylor nervous and caused him to struggle. But instead of shrinking into Messi's shadow, Taylor has taken this opportunity to play with a legend and make the absolute most of it. He's on fire for Miami, doing lots of the important — and often under-appreciated — creative work that allows Messi to score.
Take a look at Inter Miami's brilliant first goal against Orlando. Messi's finish is impeccable, but it's Taylor's patient, perfectly timed chip that allows Messi to fire past the goalkeeper.
"He just gives everybody confidence around him," Inter Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin said after the game about Messi. "You know you can give him balls in difficult situations and he's going to make something out of it."
"I mean, I've watched him play all my life, right?" Taylor added. "We all know what he wants to do and what kind of runs he makes. So it's easy for everyone to adapt to his game."
After spending several years in Paris adapting his game to fit his superstar teammates, you can tell Messi is loving this team-centric approach in Miami. His smile is wider and his runs are looser than either have been in many seasons.
Inter Miami's victory over Orlando City puts it in the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup. It's set to face its biggest challenge yet: Jesus Ferreira and FC Dallas. While Miami has excelled at scoring goals, it hasn't been great at preventing them, and Ferreira is one of the most in-form strikers in the United States.
"We are doing well; above all, we are winning," Miami coach Tata Martino said. "We are becoming more solid with the circulation of the ball, and very forceful up top. So if we also consolidate the defensive aspect...we have a chance."
Inter Miami and FC Dallas will face off Sunday. The winner will seal its spot in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
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