Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take on a familiar face in a Western Conference team’s season opener.
Major League Soccer’s 2024 schedule was officially released on December 20th, with many fans and pundits around the league excited for what’s to come.
Inter Miami is a hot property and many teams around MLS want to host the men in pink sometime throughout 2024.
For one West Coast club, it looks like the organization will get its wish.
Old teammates reunited
Per LA Galaxy beat writer Kevin Baxter, the Los Angeles-based team will host Inter Miami for its season opener on February 25th.
This match will reunite ex-teammates Riqui Puig and Lionel Messi for the first time in MLS.
The duo played at Barcelona from 2018 to 2021, where they enjoyed varying levels of success, including winning a league title in 2018.
Miami has only played the Galaxy once before this match, in a 3-2 loss on April 18th, 2021.
Though many initially believed this game would take place at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, LA Galaxy Communications stated that it would be held at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The match will kick off at 9:30 PM EST.
As for Inter Miami, the Herons will start its 2024 season at home against Real Salt Lake on February 21st, just five days after the team’s final preseason match against Newell’s Old Boys.
Miami will have almost little to no rest after its busy preseason, which is a concern for some fans. However, as the offseason rolls on, depth, and quality players will likely be added to the squad.
Already, reports suggest that striker Luis Suarez and wing-back Julian Gressel will join the club within the next few weeks.
Additionally, Miami added young, upcoming talent to its roster, acquiring four MLS SuperDraft picks to its arsenal.
Ultimately, the South Florida club will have a busy year. But, if manager Tata Martino can rotate his squad, fatigue won’t be an issue.