MLS
LA Galaxy one of Inter Miami’s six Western Conference games
MLS’ Conference structure ensures that Lionel Messi has just a handful of guaranteed games in the West in 2024.
Inter Miami are currently on the Saudi Arabia leg of their globe-trotting preseason schedule, with trips to Hong Kong and Japan in the pipeline. Much has been made of the Herons’ exhaustive warm-up fixture list but there is good news for Miami’s travel-weary squad, the 2024 regular season is fast approaching.
The travel demands placed upon Lionel Messi and co. should be eased once the regular season has begun, with most of their MLS fixtures taking place in the East of the United States. The league’s Conference structure ensure that each team plays just a handful of games against sides in the other division.
Inter Miami have six regular season games against Western Conference teams, three at home and three away.
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Which Western Conference sides will Inter Miami play?
Messi’s arrival in summer 2023 brought the eyes of the world to Inter Miami and, on one memorable occasion, some of the most famous faces too. The Herons’ regular season clash against Los Angeles FC brought Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio and Prince Harry to BMO Stadium, to name just a few.
There’s no LAFC rematch for Inter Miami this season, but Messi will return to Los Angeles to take on LA Galaxy (February 25). Miami’s two other Western Conference visits will take the team to Sporting Kansas City (April 13) and Vancouver Whitecaps (May 26).
Three teams from the West will be making the long journey to Fort Lauderdale to face Tata Martino’s men. The MLS regular season opener sees Real Salt Lake (February 21) head to Miami, with Colorado Rapids (April 6) and St. Louis City (June 1) completing the visiting trio.
The eight MLS teams lucky/unlucky enough to avoid Messi and Miami are: Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, Portland Timbers, Minnesota United and Austin FC.
Some fans may be disappointed to see that their team will not go up against Lionel Messi this year. But LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo will be pretty happy to have avoided another Messi meeting after the Argentine inspired the Herons to a 3-1 victory last September.
“He’s the best player in the world,” Cherundolo said post-game. “What did you think he was going to do when he came here?”
In 2023 the East proved to be the stronger of the two Conferences, home to both Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati and MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew. Inter Miami also find themselves battling for playoff places against the likes of Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United and Orlando City, who will all hold serious ambitions for 2024. However it shakes out in the East, Messi and Miami will not have it all their own way.