Inter Miami Champions Cup opener at KC postponed to Wednesday due to snow, Messi to play
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were scheduled to travel to Kansas City on Monday ahead of their Concacaf Champions Cup opening match Tuesday night against Sporting KC, but an Extreme Cold Watch and a predicted snowfall of 9 to 11 inches Tuesday led to the postponement of the game.
Concacaf announced Monday afternoon that the game was rescheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET “due to adverse weather conditions expected to impact the Kansas City metropolitan area in the next 24 hours, including significant snow accumulation.”
The statement added that the decision was made to prioritize player and fan safety and was made in close coordination with the two participating clubs.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano had confirmed on Monday morning that both teams were in contact with Concacaf officials, were monitoring the weather, and were awaiting word on the status of the game.
Mascherano added that Messi is “100 percent available” to play, regardless of the weather conditions or when the game is held.
“I can assure you that Leo will play,” Mascherano said, responding to a question about whether Messi might not travel due to the winter weather.
Tuesday’s low temperature is forecast to be 1 degree and the high is 9 degrees, but wind chill will make it feel like minus-17 to minus-6. There is a 70 percent chance of snow Tuesday. It is predicted to be clear on Wednesday, with a high of 10 degrees.
The team will likely travel on Wednesday morning to avoid the snowstorm.
Inter Miami will be ready, whenever the game is played, Mascherano said.
“If we have to play in those conditions, we will face it,” Mascherano said. “The weather will be the same for both teams. But we know Sporting is more used to that climate, but we have to deal with that. We didn’t choose it, but this is how it is.”
The Kansas City Star reported that Sporting KC president and CEO Jake Reid addressed the weather issue at the team’s media day on Friday.
“Cold is one thing; we’ll see what the snow does,” Reid said. “We’ll be ready. Our concern is around safe access for fans to and from and clearing the parking lots and walking ways. The cold is what it is. Bundle up. Bring your blankets, bring your hats. No one should be surprised when they come out that it’s freezing cold.”
Miami midfielder Robert Taylor, a native of Finland, is accustomed to cold weather and snow. But he prefers not to play in those conditions.
“I don’t think anyone likes those conditions, playing in snow is always a little bit different, but it’s all about preparation,” Taylor said. “When you’re mentally ready for the game, it really doesn’t matter what the weather is because at the end of the day, it’s the same for both teams. There’s no excuses. We’re going to prepare the right way and I think we’ll be ready.”
Mascherano said doesn’t remember ever playing in those conditions while at FC Barcelona with Messi, but said he did recall cold games when he was with Liverpool in England.
The coach said the decision whether to play the game or not on Tuesday goes beyond the playing field.
“If they have the amount of snow that is being predicted, we think the city will shut down, so people will not be able to go to the stadium, roads will be closed, that all needs to be considered,” Mascherano said. “We often think just of the game itself and not everything that surrounds it. I think we have to look at the forest, not just the trees. That is what puts the game in doubt.”
The game, scheduled to be played at Children’s Mercy Park, is the first leg of a two-leg series, with the second leg scheduled for Feb. 25 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Frigid conditions in Kansas City affected a Miami Dolphins road game last season. The Dolphins and Chiefs played on Jan. 13, 2024, at Arrowhead Stadium in an AFC Wild Card game and the temperature at kickoff minus-4 with a wind chill of minus-27.
Inter Miami injury update: Center back David Martinez injured his ankle in the final preseason game against Orlando City on Friday and will be out this week...Center back Gonzalo Lujan recovered from a slight injury and should be ready to play.
This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 10:29 PM.