Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will host the opening match of the 2024 season of the North American League (MLS) on February 21 against Real Salt Lakeaccording to the calendar released on Wednesday, which establishes that the Leagues Cup will start on July 26.
The duel between Inter and salt lakewhere the Colombian striker plays Cristian Arangowill be played on a Wednesday and will be the earliest opening in the 29 seasons of MLS history.
In the first weekend of competition, between February 24 and 25, the MLS will host 14 matches, including Inter’s visit to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The regular phase will consist of 34 days, which will take place mainly on Saturdays and some Wednesdays, and will conclude on October 19, giving way to playoffs that will culminate with the final on December 7.
The competition will stop again in the northern summer for the dispute of the Leagues Cupthe tournament that brings together the teams of the MLS and the Mexican league, which will be played from July 26 to August 25.
Boosted by the arrival of Messi, Inter was the first champion of the expanded Leagues Cup this year, but subsequent physical problems prevented the Argentine star from being able to propel the team to the playoffs of the MLS.
In his first full season, the eight-time winner of the Golden Ball The goal is for Inter to compete for its first MLS title, in addition to competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup for a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup.
For the second consecutive season, the derby between LA Galaxy and his neighbor Los Angeles FCknown as ‘El Tráfico’, will be celebrated on the July 4 holiday at the emblematic Rose Bowl, where this year the attendance record for an MLS game was broken with 82,110 spectators.
The 2024 All-Star Game will take place on July 24 on the home field of Columbus Ohio, the new MLS champion this year.
Messi will play a friendly against Newells
Lionel Messi will play against his childhood club, Newells Old Boys, after the Argentine team agreed to face Inter Miami in a friendly in February, ahead of the start of the 2024 MLS season.
Inter Miami announced Monday that it will host Newell’s at its home stadium, DRV PNK in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on February 15.
Newell’s is based in the city of Rosario, where Messi was born and raised, playing for its youth team before moving to Barcelona At 13 years old.
The coach of Inter Miami, Gerardo Martinois also a native of Rosario and played in Newell’s in three stages before returning as the team’s coach in 2012.
“I am delighted to welcome my dear Newell’s to our house here in Miami. It will be a special match because of everything that Newell’s Old Boys means to me,” said ‘Tata’ Martino.
“It will also be a good opportunity to prepare for what will surely be an exciting season”he added.
The game will be the last of a busy preseason schedule for Miami, which will begin preparations by facing the El Salvador team in San Salvador on January 19.
He will then play two matches in Saudi Arabia, including one against Al Nassr of Cristiano Ronaldobefore friendly matches in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Source: Ambito
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