Referee of controversial USMNT vs Mexico game to take charge of Messi and Inter Miami vs Orlando City

Salvadorian Iván Barton will be hoping for an easier night during the Herons’ Leagues Cup 2023 round of 32 match.

Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Roddy ConsRoddyConsEstados UnidosUpdate: Aug 2nd, 2023 06:34 EDT

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Inter Miami play their biggest match since Lionel Messi’s arrival on Wednesday when they take on Florida rivals Orlando City at DRV PNK Stadium in the round of 32 of the 2023 Leagues Cup. Referee Iván Barton of El Salvador will take charge of the knockout clash, which has caught the attention of some given his most recent high-profile appointment.

Referee Barton no stranger to the big stage

The 32-year-old has already officiated on the biggest stage having been in the middle for games in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Conacaf Champions League. Now he will get his first taste of Messi and Miami.

One more sleep until we go again😤Experience all the feels from our win over Atlanta, as we prepare for a rivalry matchup against Orlando City tomorrow night at home. pic.twitter.com/aps3GJyOVE

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 1, 2023

The Argentine superstar, of course, led his country to victory in the World Cup, a tournament in which Barton was in charge of three matches, namely Germany vs Japan (1-2), Brazil vs Switzerland (1-0) and England vs Senegal (3-0). The Salvadorian was also involved in other matches as Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and has become one of Central America’s leading referees on the world stage.

In addition, Barton was also involved in the last two Concacaf Champions League finals, refereeing the first leg of the 2022 final between Seattle Sounders and Pumas, followed by the second leg of this year’s final, which saw Club León face LAFC.

Card-happy Barton in heated USMNT vs Mexico clash

Perhaps more memorably, Barton was the official for the controversial USMNT vs Mexico clash in the Conacaf Nations League in June, which the Stars and Stripes won by three goals to nil.

Weston McKennie 🟥Sergino Dest 🟥They will both be unavailable for the Concacaf Nations League Final. 😲 pic.twitter.com/lLtnLh0qYA

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023