Argentine football maestro Lionel Messi faces the prospect of missing up to six games in his inaugural full season with Inter Miami FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). Commencing on February 21 with a match against Red Salt Lake, Messi’s potential absence will be because of international duty during the June FIFA window and the Copa America.
Messi’s potential absence is attributed to international duty, particularly during the June FIFA window and the Copa America. In June, there are clashes scheduled for Miami against Philadelphia (June 15), Columbus (June 19), Nashville (June 29), Charlotte (July 3), and Cincinnati (July 6).
Furthermore, depending on Argentina’s performance, Messi might extend his international commitments even further. Post the Copa America final on July 14, Miami is slated for home matches against Toronto (July 17) and Chicago (July 20).
Unlike many other leagues, MLS schedules games during certain FIFA fixture periods, where the release of players for national team duty is mandatory. The league’s opening day features 11 games on Feb. 24, with three more the following day, and Vancouver starting on March 2. Notably, Salt Lake will have just a two-day break before their game against St. Louis on Feb. 24.
The regular season concludes with 14 games on Oct. 19, with Toronto being the only team in the 29-team league not playing on that day; they finish their season on Oct. 5 at home against Miami. MLS, unlike most other leagues, maintains its schedule during FIFA fixture periods, emphasizing the mandatory release of players for national team duties.
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