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The arrival of Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer could implement a number of changes to the league that have plagued it for so long.
One of those could be to the schedule itself – which since 1996 has seen MLS teams playing during FIFA’s international breaks.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said that the league is ‘analyzing’ how best to schedule their competition for the 2024 season that will prevent these conflicts.
Now, MLS has a number of quirks that need hammering out – this being one of the chief issues – in order for it to generally comply with how the rest of the world’s football works.
Inter Miami boss Tata Martino suggested MLS is working to stop playing in international breaks
Since arriving to MLS, Lionel Messi has boosted the playoff hopes of Inter Miami
But the Argentina skipper is guaranteed to miss two, possibly three league matches
The issue here is trying to find a balance that keeps the competition true to its American roots without turning it into an entirely ‘European’ league altogether. At the same time, there are a number of policies that MLS adapts that make little sense.
While a schedule that runs from March-December is logical for the regions of the country that experience cold temperatures and heavy snowfall (18 of the 29 teams usually go through rough winters), what isn’t logical is that the league still plays over the international breaks.
Martino says that issue will be tackled next season, but it’s going to affect Inter Miami right now – with Messi set to depart for Argentina and their World Cup qualifiers.
That gives him short turnaround time. Four days after a tough road trip to Los Angeles FC, Messi will be playing Argentina’s first World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. Four days after Argentina’s second match against Bolivia, Messi will be facing another road trip to Atlanta United.
During that time, Inter Miami plays a game against Sporting Kansas City – a match Messi will not be there for.
The same issue rears its head once again in October for Miami on the penultimate matchday of the season. The day after another qualifier against Peru, Inter Miami will be making up their postponed match against Charlotte FC on October 18.
It’s highly likely that Messi misses either the LAFC game or the Atlanta game – or is at least starting on the bench – which would be a blow to Inter Miami.
While fixing the schedule could avoid these issues, what it could lead to are more games played in a shorter period of time. That may result in greater fatigue and an increased risk of injuries.
Messi will not play against Kansas City or the first of Miami’s final two games against Charlotte
This could impact Apple TV’s bottom line as they cover a good portion of Messi’s contract
The Herons have limited time to try and qualify for MLS Cup Playoffs – and they need all the wins they can get.
Miami was rudderless under former manager Phil Neville – sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Conference and sitting dead last before Leagues Cup play.
Now, after a win over the New York Red Bulls and a draw with Nashville SC, they sit one place off the bottom on 22 points.
To their advantage, Miami has an unbelievable three games in hand on the team above them – New York City FC.
But the downside is they face a ten point gap on a Wild Card spot and a 17 point gap on an automatic qualification spot.
All these games will be broadcast on Apple TV – the company that helped get Messi to America by paying a significant portion of his salary.
