Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals Begin: Watch Messi’s Miami Take the Stage

MIAMI, Fla. — The Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals kick off Tuesday, featuring an intense mix of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX teams competing for North America’s top club prize.

This year’s quarterfinal lineup includes Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami, who face Los Angeles FC (LAFC), alongside Liga MX leaders Club America battling Cruz Azul. The matches are set as the final eight teams look to secure a spot in the semifinals.

The quarterfinals are structured as two-legged ties, where teams will compete over two weeks. The aggregate score will determine who advances, and if necessary, extra time and penalties will be used to resolve ties.

Messi’s participation in the matches will depend on his fitness, but Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano is prioritizing competition success. Messi had a standout first round against Sporting Kansas City, scoring in just two minutes. This season, he has made a noticeable impact, with five goals in six games across competitions and three goals in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

“When fit, Messi has drastically influenced our play,” Mascherano said. “His ability to create scoring opportunities and finish them is crucial for us moving forward in this tournament.”

The upcoming matches feature an intriguing dynamic as MLS continues to stack against Liga MX. Both leagues are evenly represented with four teams each remaining. Club America comes in as a strong favorite due to their domestic performance, while Cruz Azul rides a wave of momentum after a powerful second-leg victory against the Seattle Sounders.

As the competition progresses, questions arise regarding the viability of an MLS team winning the championship. Historically, Mexican clubs dominate this event, partially due to their seasonal timing, which leaves MLS players starting the season less conditioned. The Seattle Sounders remain the only MLS team to have won the title in recent memory, claiming victory in 2022.

“Can MLS teams finally lift this trophy?” is the question on many fans’ lips as the tournament unfolds.

The quarterfinal fixtures are as follows:

• Tuesday, April 1: Inter Miami vs. LAFC
• Tuesday, April 8: Club America vs. Cruz Azul

Both games will air on various networks, including FS2 and TUDN, while streaming platforms will also offer the matches. Notably, fans can take advantage of free trials available on certain streaming services to watch live matches.

As the anticipation builds, the focus sharpens on what promises to be an exciting face-off between MLS and Liga MX, showcasing the evolving dynamics of soccer in North America.