By Tony Álvarez
The second day of Leagues Cup action will feature Inter Miami FC, which means all eyes will be on Fort Lauderdale as the MLS side host Atlas FC in both clubs´tournament opener this Wednesday at Chase Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- First ever matchup
- Both teams are making their 3rd appearance in Leagues Cup
- Record at Leagues Cup: Inter Miami (9-2), Atlas (3-3)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Inter Miami CF: 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
- Fifth place in MLS Eastern Conference after 22 games played
- Atlas FC: 2 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss
- Ninth place after three games in the start of the Liga MX season
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba return to action after one game suspension for missing All-Star Game
- Leagues Cup 2023 champs, Inter Miami CF look for become 1st team with multiple Leagues Cup titles
- Rodrigo De Paul is the newest Inter Miami player but his status for Leagues Cup remains uncertain
- Atlas FC debuting a lot of new faces in their squad, with five new players on the roster
- The Rojinegros are looking for their first win in knockout stage after advancing the last two years but losing 1st match
KEY FACTORS:
- Inter Miami CF:
- Set to make 2025 Leagues Cup debut at home stadium, and will host two more games at Chase Stadium in Phase One
- Has exact same record at home and away this season (6 Wins, 3 Draws, 2 Losses)
- Have won 6 of their last 8 MLS games, and have outscored leagues opponents 22-10 in that span (have scored 4+ goals in 4 of those 6 wins)
- Atlas FC:
- Have already conceded five goals in two road matches in Apertura 2025; 8 goals allowed is the most in Apertura 2025
- Despite the amount of goals conceded, they have scored 7 goals this tournament (tied for 2nd most thus far)
- Only Liga MX win in the current season was on the road, 3-2 over Puebla in week 1
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez and company will work to display their offensive power showed during the MLS season, as they will try to take advantage of a Rojinegros team that has struggled defensively as of late.
Javier Mascherano´s team has been on point inside their opponent’s territory, as they have won six of their last eight games in their home stadium averaging more than two goals per game, and they are the team that has scored the most goals in the current MLS season after 22 games with 49.
If that was not enough, the recent signing of the Rodrigo De Paul will only create even more problems for their opponents, and they will look dangerous in the Leagues Cup. Atlas will need to be well coordinated in their back line, especially after showing problems on defense to start this semester.
Los Zorros have received eight goals in the first three Liga MX games they have played so far, and this 2025 Leagues Cup debut will serve as a tough test to show they have more to offer. This international stage is motivation enough for them to display what they are capable of with a young team in hand.
