Tonight marks the start of the 31st season of MLS, the top-tier soccer league (as they call it there) made up of teams from the United States plus three Canadian teams, kicking off with St. Louis City vs. Charlotte FC (8:30 p.m.). Thirty teams divided into two Conferences (East and West) aim to reach the playoffs, which will be played in December due to the World Cup break. Five stadiums will host tournament matches, featuring a record number of MLS players representing their national teams, and the league competition will be suspended after the May 24 matches.
Early Sunday morning at 3:30 a.m. (Spanish time), Messi’s Inter Miami will begin its seventh season in the competition away from Chase Stadium, aiming to successfully defend its title. They will face LAFC, led by Heung-min Son, Denis Bouanga, and company, in a star-studded showdown at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where all 70,000 seats are expected to be filled. Heung-min Son, with his characteristic sense of humor, stated: “I let Messi win this year, but next year we’ll be on top.”
In just over a month and a half, construction of Las Garzas’ new stadium will be completed. Miami Freedom Park, with a capacity of 25,000, will be ready for its inaugural match on April 4 against Austin.
Javier Mascherano continues as Miami’s head coach, and this season he has a strong squad at his disposal to support the Argentine star. The departures of Jordi Alba and Busquets, along with other secondary players, have been offset by several key signings to strengthen the team.
Forward Germán Berterame arrives from Monterrey; under-22 midfielder David Ayala joins from Portland Timbers; forward Tadeo Allende returns from Celta de Vigo; center-back Micael comes from Palmeiras after a standout spell with Houston; left-back Sergio Reguilón arrives after playing for Tottenham and Real Madrid; and current MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair joins on a free transfer from Minnesota United. Also included is fellow Rosario native Mateo Silvetti (20 years old and developed at Ñuls), who stood out last season alongside Messi, as well as the tireless Luis Suárez, who continues for another season at 39 years old.
Inter Miami is already being talked about as a new MLS dynasty, similar to Bruce Arena’s LA Galaxy.
The show returns.