The two MLS Cup wild card matches are CF Montreal vs. Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Portland Timbers in the Western Conference. The matches will take place at 6:30 a.m. on October 23 and 9:30 a.m. on October 24, respectively. Messi and his Inter Miami teammates will be looking to play either CF Montreal or Atlanta United in Round 1.
In the “wild card” round, the matches take place in a knock-out format with only 1 match. After the official match time, if the 2 teams are tied, a penalty shootout will be held to determine the winner.
In round 1, the matches will take place in a “best of 3” format, the team that wins 2 matches will advance. In case of a draw after 2 matches (each team has 1 win), a 3rd match will be played on the field of the team with the higher ranking to decide which team will advance. In round 1, the goal difference will not be counted, only the results of each match will be counted. If the match is a draw, the 2 teams will take penalty kicks to determine the winner of the match.
From the semi-finals and finals, the matches will be a single knockout match with extra time, and if the match is tied, it will go to penalty kicks. Similar to the MLS Cup final between the two winners of each region on December 7.
Inter Miami are the winners of the Supporters’ Shield (MLS qualifying round), so they will have a big advantage when playing at home in the MLS Cup playoffs. First, in round 1, they will host CF Montreal or Atlanta United at Chase Stadium at 7:30 a.m. on October 26. Then the second match is away at 6 a.m. on November 3. If they win both matches, Messi and his teammates will advance quickly without having to play the third match (if any, it will be played at Chase Stadium).
Similarly, in the next rounds, if Inter Miami advances, they will play at home. In case they reach the final match for the MLS Cup championship on December 7, Inter Miami will also play at home because they are ranked No. 1 in the overall MLS rankings (29 clubs).
In the 2024 MLS Round of 16, Inter Miami lost 2-3 to CF Montreal in the first leg at home, but won 3-2 away in Montreal, Canada. Meanwhile, they lost 1-3 to Atlanta United at home and drew 2-2 away. Therefore, one of the two opponents that Inter Miami will face again in the first round of MLS Cup will be extremely difficult.
Messi is in high spirits and has been in top form since returning from injury in mid-September, winning the Supporters’ Shield and qualifying for the 2025 Club World Cup. This is a great confidence that helps Inter Miami enter the MLS Cup play-off round with the strongest spirit.
This is also the championship that Messi is determined to achieve, and end 2024 in the best way.
If Inter Miami makes it past Round 1, they will face Orlando City SC or Charlotte FC in the Eastern Conference playoff semi-finals. Both teams have had good results in the MLS qualifying round, with a record of 1 win and 1 draw.
In the regional finals, in the remaining bracket, FC Cincinnati will face New York City FC and Columbus Crew will face New York Red Bulls in round 1. FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew are also the two opponents with the greatest potential to advance to the finals and can prevent Inter Miami from reaching the Eastern Conference title.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference bracket, Los Angeles FC and LA Galaxy will be the two top candidates for the final. The winner will face the Eastern Conference champion to compete for the 2024 MLS Cup title. Los Angeles FC currently has stars such as veteran goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Olivier Giroud, while LA Galaxy has top midfielders such as Riqui Puig and Marco Reus.
