Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano is well aware that his star-studded team, led by Lionel Messi, finds itself in a seemingly insurmountable situation heading into the second leg of the Champions Cup semifinal against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday night.

Lionel Messi was powerless to prevent Inter Miami from slipping to its biggest defeat in MLS play since his arrival in North America, falling 4-1 at Minnesota United on Saturday. Previously, there had only been one two-goal defeat with Messi — a 1-3 home loss to Atlanta United in May last year.

After getting things back on track with a victory over the New York Red Bulls, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will begin a road trip that sees them face one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Minnesota United. The Loons have quietly risen to second in the conference behind a stout defense that will be pushed to the limits facing the Herons.