Orlando City manager Oscar Pareja has criticized the ‘circus’ surrounding Inter Miami and Lionel Messi after last night’s loss to their Florida rivals.
Speaking to the press via Goal, the Colombian manager claimed that Messi should have been sent off for a second yellow card after a harsh challenge on Cesar Araujo having already gone in the referee’s book earlier in the match.
However, Messi escaped a red card, with Pareja saying about the entire incident: “Tonight was a circus. There was a second yellow on Messi [that wasn’t given]. I don’t care if he’s Messi.”
With Messi bagging another brace Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over their MLS rivals, there’s little wonder why Pareja was left fuming at full-time, especially when a case could have been made for the forward to be shown a red card.
Many pundits and fans have made claims in recent weeks since Messi’s arrival that MLS officials will treat the forward differently to other players, with last night adding some fuel to the conspiracy theory.
However, given the nature of the game and Messi’s shoulder barge on Araujo, there’s good reason why the attacker wasn’t sent off against Orlando, despite Pareja’s claims after the full-time whistle.
Orlando City might have just intensified their rivalry with Inter Miami
Every MLS club will be out to beat Inter Miami as long as Messi is on their payroll, yet Orlando could now have a special reason to best their Florida rivals after this Leagues Cup encounter.
The Florida Derby is yet to catch fire since Inter Miami’s introduction to MLS, yet last night’s fixture might have been the spark that lit the power keg for what could become a fierce rivalry.
For soccer culture in the US, this is exactly the sort of thing MLS needs to solidify their credibility as a major league in the sport, and Inter Miami could thrive off having as real rival in the division in Orlando.