Inter Miami CF and star forward Lionel Messi will look for redemption following last year's playoff disappointment when they battle New York City FC in a season-opening match on Saturday. After posting a league-best 74 points in 2024,

Despite crashing out of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs against Atlanta United, Miami were by far the best team through the regular season. With 22 wins in 34 matches, they hit 74 points to set a new single-season MLS points record, all while missing Lionel Messi for over a third of the season.

While the Herons set an MLS-record for points in 2024 (74), they were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by Atlanta United (two games to one), with the Pigeons being knocked out in round two by the New York Red Bulls, 2-0.