Miami, which is 10 points outside of the playoff spots with 10 games remaining, will face one of its hardest tests against Los Angeles FC, which is currently ranked second in the Western Conference.

Miami’s quest to climb out of the basement of the league following a winless streak of 11 MLS games before Messi’s arrival took a hit on Wednesday when they were held to a scoreless stalemate at home by Nashville.

That sad outcome followed Messi’s first regular-season appearance, a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

“We have tunnel vision on our goal, which is making the playoffs, so this feels like a loss, but we’re just going to keep moving forward,” Canadian defender Kamal Miller said following Wednesday’s stalemate.

With 11 goals in all competitions, Messi has already helped Miami to triumph in the midseason Leagues Cup competition and into the US Open Cup final.

However, his performance against Nashville was much below par, prompting questions about whether his busy schedule since making his debut has taken a toll.

“We got a little too accustomed to titles, finals, and winning in New York, but we have to keep going because a lot can still happen,” Argentine coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino remarked.

Despite being seven points behind St. Louis City, who are currently leading the Western Conference, LAFC is considered one of the favorites to win the MLS Cup.

More than Messi

Steve Cherundolo, the squad’s head coach, advises that his side cannot fall into the trap of concentrating solely on Messi’s threat.

“Messi is getting a lot of attention, as are Miami’s recent improvements and their series of victories. But for us, it’s a game at home that we want to win, and I think concentrating on one guy is a mistake,” he told the press.

Even if such a strategy could be developed, according to the former USA international, it would be useless given the talent of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I believe that trying to assume you’re going to stop him for 90 minutes is an illusion because of obviously his ability and the way he plays. He’ll get one or two chances.

“That’s just how this game works and the way he’s been able to do throughout his career against every team,” he said.

You’ll pass up chances to truly defeat Miami if you try to concentrate on that. And there’s where our attention is focused on ensuring that they collectively have to defend, work hard, and put in a very intense and challenging shift to defeat us,” he said.

The second notable game of the weekend is the derby matchup between the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders on Saturday in the Pacific Northwest.

While Portland, who is now in 12th place and only four points out of the final playoff slot, has work to do, third-placed Seattle should be comfortably on their way to the postseason.

The rivalry dates back to the 1970s, when the two teams first clashed in the former NASL. It continued in several leagues until the teams entered the Major League Soccer.

Dallas, which is vying for a playoff spot in the West, will host an Atlanta team that has recently been reinforced and is currently sixth in the East in Saturday’s games.