The Inter Miami team plane landed at 4 a.m. Thursday after a brutal 1-0 road victory against Sporting KC in sub-zero temperatures in Kansas City. Coach Javier Mascherano gave players the day off, saying they deserved it after playing in conditions he described as “inhumane”, so they had only Friday to prepare for Saturday’s big home game.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed not all players will be available for the 2025 MLS season opener against New York City FC on Saturday night at Chase Stadium after what he called an "unprecedented" turnaround for the club.

Lionel Messi scored from the right side of the box in the 56th minute to lift Inter Miami past Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on a bitterly cold Wednesday night in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup’s first round.

A few short days before the 2025 MLS season kicks off, Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami will start their seasons in the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup as both sides begin the chase for continental glory.

The temperature at kickoff was seven degrees Fahrenheit while the feel-like temperature dropped to nine below zero.