The entirety of the soccer world has Friday circled on their calendars. Lionel Messi is slated to make his heralded debut with Inter Miami CF.
For many fans in the U.S. and Mexico, though, the date was circled long before Argentina's captain agreed to come to MLS. Friday's match between Miami and Cruz Azul marks the start of the brand-new Leagues Cup: a monthlong, World Cup-style tournament that pits MLS clubs against their counterparts from Liga MX.
Cesar Hernandez and Megan Swanick break down the tournament, from both sides of the MLS-Liga MX divide, and look ahead to what's about to unfold in Leagues Cup.
For an MLS team to contend in Leagues Cup, a few factors will be key. That includes form, depth, the ability to make use of potential homefield advantage and a club culture with proven success approaching knockout tournaments in Concacaf.