Alert: the reason Messi’s match with Inter Miami vs Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions Cup has been suspended

After a lengthy break from competitive play following an early exit from the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, an extended vacation period, and a productive preseason in both the United States and Latin America, Inter Miami and Lionel Messi had been set to return to tournament action on Tuesday, February 18, in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Sporting KC vs Inter Miami first leg postponed

However, because of snow forecast in and around Kansas City, the first leg of their first round contest against Sporting Kansas City has been put back 24 hours, and will now take place on Wednesday, February 19, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Concacaf and both clubs have stated all tickets for Tuesday’s game will also be valid on Wednesday.

The Herons’ first test in the region’s premier club competition takes them far from Fort Lauderdale, as Javier Mascherano’s side travels to Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting KC in the first leg of their opening-round matchup. As explained, one of the most notable aspects of this encounter will be the harsh weather conditions Miami must contend with – something they rarely experience.

According to forecasts, temperatures at the original kickoff time were expected to plummet to 6°F (-14°C), with a wind chill of -8°F (-22°C). As had been suggested by Argentine outlet Claro, the game has been postponed due to the extremity of the expected weather.

Additionally, there had been a 75% chance of snowfall, which would have set the stage for a brutally cold challenge for Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.

As it is, conditions are only likely to be marginally better when the new kickoff time on Wednesday comes around. The battle begins before the ball is even kicked, as Inter Miami will have to carefully plan for these extreme conditions.

As a South Florida-based club, Inter Miami is pretty unaccustomed to such bitter weather. However, if they hope to take a favorable result back home for the second leg at Chase Stadium, they must approach this opening clash with full focus and adapt quickly to the freezing conditions in Kansas City.

Inter Miami closes out preseason unbeaten

Ahead of the new campaign, Inter Miami played a series of friendlies, finishing undefeated with three draws and two wins. Their preseason matchups included a 2-2 draw against Club América in Las Vegas, a 0-0 stalemate with Universitario de Deportes in Lima, a 3-1 victory over Sporting San Miguelito in Panama City, a 5-0 rout of CD Olimpia in San Pedro Sula, and another 2-2 draw against Orlando City in Tampa.

It’s worth noting that none of these matches were played in conditions remotely close to what is expected in Kansas City. On top of making their official season debut, the Herons will also have to overcome an off-the-pitch challenge in the form of freezing temperatures, as they look to secure a place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16.

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