FRISCO, Texas – The eyes of soccer fans ‘round the world will be on Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas this Sunday.
FC Dallas faces off against Inter Miami and their new talisman Lionel Messi – perhaps the greatest to ever play the sport – in the Leagues Cup Round of 16. Messi has lit up the Leagues Cup almost from his first touch since coming stateside. A game-winning free kick on his debut was followed by a two-goal, two-assist performance to round out the Group Stage. In Miami’s first knockout game, it only took the Argentine 7 minutes to find the opening goal. Never satisfied with just one, Messi scored his second and Miami’s third to seal a matchup with Dallas Sunday night.
Messi’s legendary status was confirmed long before his move to Miami, of course. And for FC Dallas’ Argentine contingent, the opportunity to face off against their famed countryman is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
“It will be an unforgettable experience for me. It will be the first time I get to see him in person,” said Alan Velasco, himself a diminutive playmaker who’s represented La Albiceleste at youth levels. “I have seen him play from the stands but never on the field. I hope I can get to mark him at some point in the match."
“He is gifted with every ability that players wish to have. Technical ability, speed, goals, assists and overall his mentality. He always wanted to be the best and he has always been the best. He has been up there at an elite level and winning titles.”
Even for Velasco, though, the team’s aim supersedes whatever emotions he'll feel facing his idol: “If I had to foul him, I would. I would not try to hurt him but I would have to foul. I play for FC Dallas, and I put my team first because we want to win.”
The FC Dallas players charged with keeping the ball out of the net (which likely means keeping a close eye on Miami’s No. 10) reinforce Velasco’s sentiment.
“I don’t know if there are really any keys [to stopping Messi],” defender Nkosi Tafari told the Dallas Morning News. “Keeping a shutout is my main goal and drive. Whether I’m playing Messi or my mother, they’re both going to get the same amount of respect and defensive effort from myself.
“I try and give my best to the team in any game I play in. I’m well aware that it’s a slightly better opponent this time around so I just have to have better preparation. But that almost makes it easier knowing that your opponent is of that higher quality. You know that you can’t turn off. It may make my job easier in that respect.”
Behind Tafari will be first-choice goalkeeper Maarten Paes. The Dutchman enjoyed a terrific display in the previous round against Mazatlán, making four saves including an eye-catching double stop to preserve the 2-1 win. But Paes’ job will be that much tougher when he's faced with a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“If you’re ambitious, that’s the goal—to face players like that. The pressure is a privilege. We just look at it in a positive way and embrace the challenge.
“As a whole defense, we have to keep it compact when they have the ball. But that’s what we do against every team. We want to close the middle and keep them playing from the outside.”
