Calling all soccer fans! Get ready to mark your calendars because Major League Soccer (MLS) has just released its schedule for the upcoming season. And one name that is sure to capture everyone's attention is none other than Lionel Messi, who will be kicking off his first full season with Inter Miami on February 21st.
In an exciting opener, Inter Miami will be facing off against Real Salt Lake at home, giving fans a taste of the magic Messi brings to the pitch. But here's the catch: Messi might miss quite a few games while representing Argentina's national team. With his commitment to his home country, he could potentially sit out a minimum of six games, leaving Inter Miami to carry on without their superstar.
One of the highlights of the schedule is the match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls on March 23rd. However, this clash falls during a FIFA international fixture window, meaning Messi may be away with Argentina, adding some uncertainty and anticipation to the game.
June will be a crucial month for Messi and Argentina, with the Copa América taking place. This means that he might miss additional important matches for Inter Miami, including games against Philadelphia, Columbus, Nashville, Charlotte, and Cincinnati. But fear not, fans, because once the Copa América final concludes on July 14th, Messi will be back in action for Inter Miami's home matches against Toronto and Chicago.
Unlike traditional leagues, MLS schedules games during FIFA fixture periods when players are required to join their national teams. This presents a unique challenge for teams, as they must navigate through these periods without some of their star players.
The MLS season kicks off with a flurry of excitement on February 24th with 11 openers, followed by three more the next day. Vancouver, however, will have to wait until March 2nd for their first game. Interestingly, the regular season will come to a close on October 19th, with all but one team participating in matches that day. Toronto, on the other hand, will wrap up their season earlier on October 5th, hosting Inter Miami in their final game.
Messi's arrival at Inter Miami midway through 2023 brought immediate success, as he led the team to their first trophy by winning the Leagues Cup shortly after joining. As we look ahead to the upcoming season, there are several teams that will face Inter Miami for the first time. It will be intriguing to see how Messi and his teammates fare against the likes of Colorado in Fort Lauderdale, Vancouver in British Columbia, and Real Salt Lake, who will be their opening opposition.
Furthermore, the schedule provides limited opportunities for fans in the Western Conference to see Messi in action. The cities where Messi will be playing MLS matches this season include Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Vancouver. So make sure to mark those dates on your calendar if you're lucky enough to be in those areas.
There are some teams that won't have the chance to face Inter Miami in the regular season, including Seattle, LAFC, Houston, FC Dallas, San Jose, Portland, Minnesota, and Austin. The absence of these matchups adds an extra layer of anticipation for future seasons, when fans will finally get to see Messi face off against these teams.
But wait, there's more! The Leagues Cup, a thrilling tournament involving MLS teams and top clubs from Mexico, is set to take place from July 26th to August 25th. This competition will provide another opportunity to witness Messi's magic on the field. And let's not forget the MLS All-Star Game on July 24th in Columbus, which will precede the Leagues Cup.
As we eagerly await the start of the season, fans can also look forward to exciting matchups such as the Columbus Crew, current MLS Cup champions, facing off against LAFC on July 13th. And for those who love the intense rivalry between the LA Galaxy and LAFC, mark your calendars for July 4th—the clash at the Rose Bowl promises to be an electric encounter, once again breaking attendance records like last year.
So, soccer aficionados, get ready for a thrilling season of MLS action, with the added excitement of Lionel Messi gracing the league. The schedule is set, the stage is prepared, and fans are eagerly counting down the days until the opening kickoff. This season promises to be one for the history books, showcasing the talent of Messi and the fierce competition among MLS teams. Be sure to secure your seats and prepare for a season filled with unforgettable moments on the pitch. Let the games begin!
