The visitors struck early in the second minute when Mikael Uhre cut inside his marker and fired a long-range shot that deflected off goalkeeper Drake Callender's gloves into the net. Messi responded by dribbling past a defender and scoring with a low shot from his weaker right foot into the far corner.
Tuesday night's display by Messi against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup highlighted the profound impact that the right player can make on an entire club.
A news conference is scheduled for Monday, his first official training session is set for Tuesday and — if all goes to plan — he will play Friday in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul
