Javier Mascherano’s Inter Miami side has been handed a tough start to the new MLS season with the fixtures hot off the press.
Lionel Messi and company will host New York City FC in the opening game of the season on February 22nd.
Despite the tough opening game, many Herons fans will be looking forward to getting their teeth stuck into a new season following the disappointing end to the last campaign.
Messi was left angered by the Atlanta defeat but has promised Inter Miami fans a strong start to this campaign.
While there have been no incomings to the side that ended last season the club has said goodbye to fan favourite Diego Gomez.
Fans will be extremely happy that Luis Suarez has signed a new contract and for now, Messi is still applying his trade at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami’s fixtures revealed
An opening day fixture against New York City FC certainly isn’t the simplest of starts for Mascherano but the home crowd at the Chase Stadium will be right behind the team.
The Herons will also get an early shot at redemption as they take on Atlanta United away from home on March, 16th and then at home on June, 28th.
This year’s MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy arrive at Chase Stadium on August, 16th.
Fixture list in full:
February:
- 22nd – New York City FC (H)
March:
- 2nd – Houston Dynamo (A)
- 9th – Charlotte FC (H)
- 16th – Atlanta United (A)
- 29th – Philadelphia Union (H)
April
- 6th – Toronto FC (H)
- 13th – Chicago Fire FC (A)
- 19th – Colombus Crew (A)
- 26th – FC Dallas (H)
May
- 3rd – New York Red Bulls (H)
- 10th – Minnesota United (A)
- 14th – San Jose Earthquakes (A)
- 17th – Orlando City FC (H)
- 24th – Philadelphia Union (A)
- 28th – CF Montreal (H)
- 31st – Colombus Crew (H)
June
- 28th – Atlanta United (H)
July
- 5th – CF Montreal (A)
- 9th – New England Revolution (A)
- 12th – Nashville SC (H)
- 16th – FC Cincinnati (A)
- 19th – New York Red Bulls (A)
- 26th – FC Cincinnati (H)
August
- 10th – Orlando City FC (A)
- 16th – La Galaxy (H)
- 23rd – DC United (A)
- 30th – Chicago Fire FC (H)
September
- 13th – Charlotte FC (A)
- 16th – Seattle Sounders FC (H)
- 20th – DC United (H)
- 24th – New York City FC (A)
- 27th – Toronto FC (A)
October
- 4th – New England Revolution (H)
- 18th – Nashville SC (A)
David Beckham and the Inter Miami hierarchy will be looking for a strong start to the season, but perhaps more importantly a stronger run at the MLS Cup.
Can Inter Miami win the 2025 MLS Cup?
Despite finishing top of the Eastern Conference by eight points and setting a new regular season points record (74) it all came crashing down in the playoffs.
As previously mentioned, the early exit at the hands of Atlanta was not predicted and many across the MLS were left shocked.
There is no doubt that Inter Miami possess the star power to have a real crack at the MLS Cup this season but Javier Mascherano has already lowered winning expectations.
Speaking during an Inter Miami press conference he said: “I would be a hypocrite if I came here and promised championships.”
Not exactly music to the ears of Inter Miami fans but given that this is his first major coaching role it is hardly unexpected that he would be looking to take some pressure off his shoulders.
With the core of Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba still with the side there’s no reason why they couldn’t compete for it all this season.