Lionel Messi’s side begin their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night, commencing a season when they will also compete in the 32-team Fifa Club World Cup, the MLS-Liga MX Leagues Cup, while gunning for a repeat of last year’s Supporters’ Shield honor and a maiden MLS Cup triumph.
Most importantly, the team’s veteran megastars – Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – are another year older and entering potentially the most demanding season an MLS club has ever faced.
Inter Miami begin the most important season in their short history with opportunity abound, but a narrowing window to capitalize on all the club has built towards.
“It’s not just about my relationship with Leo but also the relationship I have with the other three players because I played with them for a long time,” Mascherano said during his introduction.
Unsurprisingly, considering Mascherano’s long career as a prowling midfielder and then a centre-back, pre-season has seen greater focus on defensive solidarity, in-game organization, faster transitions from attack to defense, and winning personal duels.
