Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – This Friday, Inter Miami will host Cruz Azul to mark their first group stage match in the inaugural edition of the Leagues Cup. This new initiative North American soccer tournament, brings clubs from the MLS and LIGA MX. The leagues will temporarily pause their seasons from July 21 to August 19 to focus on the Leagues Cup. This break will allow the participating teams to battle for a spot in the newly prestigious 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

This official Concacaf tournament encompasses all 47 first-division clubs from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., structuring it as a World Cup-style competition.

Inter Miami features in the group South 3 for the Leagues Cup, where they will face contenders like Cruz Azul and fellow MLS side Atlanta United.

In this new cup of colliding teams from different leagues, fans and soccer enthusiasts alike are eagerly looking forward to witnessing the debut of arguably one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami is on an 11-game winless drought in the MLS with eight defeats and three draws since May 17 against Nashville 1-2. Their only victory was in the U.S. Open Cup on May 23, reversing the script against Nashville 2-1.

For Messi and his new Inter Miami teammates, a win in his first appearance would be an ideal start to their journey toward the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, which could eventually lead to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

While all eyes are on Messi, Cruz Azul, under the guidance of Head Coach Ricardo Ferretti, and bolstered by the addition of center-back Carlos Salcedo, is unfazed by the attention and are prepared with their experience as the 2020 Champions Cup winners while representing Tigres.

In another exciting match-up in South Group 2, MLS sides Orlando City SC and Houston Dynamo will face off at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Orlando City made their first-ever appearance in the Champions Cup during the 2023 edition, while Houston aims to return to the tournament for the first time since 2019.

Excitement and anticipation are at an all-time high as the Leagues Cup 2023 kicks off, promising thrilling encounters and fierce competition as teams battle for glory and a coveted spot in the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup 2024.

The event will kick off on Friday, 21, with the match of the day, Inter Miami facing off against the renowned Mexican giant, Cruz Azul, at 8:00 p.m. at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sports Action Rundown, Leagues Cup, Inter Miami CF, Lionel Messi, Gasner Delvarin Jr.