Here’s a preview of this week’s action in the leagues of the United States, Argentina, and Mexico.
MLS: Another battle for the number 10
Just two months after winning Inter Miami’s first league title, Lionel Messi is set to return to the North American championship in what promises to be a very special year.
Although he hasn’t officially confirmed his participation in the World Cup, few doubt that the Argentine star will once again captain the Albiceleste as they aim for a fourth world title.
But before that, this week marks the defending MLS champion’s debut away to Los Angeles FC, featuring South Korean star Son Heung-Min as the tournament gets underway with its first round of matches between Saturday and Sunday.
Messi picked up a muscle injury during Inter’s recent South American tour, but he’s expected to join his friends Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suárez for the start of a competition that’s aiming to join the ranks of the world’s elite leagues.
"We’re not just going for another MLS title, but also for the competitions where we came so close last time," said the club’s coach, Javier Mascherano.
Another star could make his MLS debut: Colombian James Rodríguez, the latest signing for Minnesota United, who visit Austin FC.
Argentina: River in search of some peace
After a promising start to the Argentine Apertura, River Plate is going through a rough patch, with three consecutive games without a win, including a 1-4 thrashing by Tigre at the Monumental.
The numbers haven’t been on the side of Marcelo Gallardo for some time now. The most decorated coach in the club’s history, with 14 titles, hasn’t been able to deliver on his promise of attractive football either.
In their last 10 league matches, including those from last year, River’s performance has fallen well short of expectations for a club that has lived up to its “Millionaires” nickname by investing millions in new signings: six losses, two draws, and just two wins.
"Marcelo always pushes us, he wants us to do what made us strong at the start of the season. This is the second match in a row we’ve lost, and that can’t happen at River," said captain, Colombian Juanfer Quintero, who called on his teammates to raise their game.
With pressure mounting on Gallardo, River will visit Group A leaders Vélez Sarsfield on Sunday in the sixth round of the Apertura, while their eternal rivals, Boca Juniors, who are also struggling for consistency, will host Racing on Friday.
Mexico: Will Cruz Azul be the team to stop Milito’s Chivas?
There’s one big question in Mexico: Who can stop Chivas de Guadalajara, the Clausura leaders with a perfect record of 18 points from six matches?
Riding high after a 1-0 win over América in the classic Mexican football rivalry on Saturday, Gabriel Milito’s men are looking to keep their foot on the gas as they visit another Mexico City giant, Cruz Azul, their closest challenger in the standings, on Saturday.
"Now we have to be careful not to get carried away by all the praise, so we don’t lose focus and keep our hunger to keep improving," said the Argentine coach after beating Las Águilas.
Even a win wouldn’t put them top, but La Máquina, coached by Argentine Nicolás Larcamón, will be aiming to end Chivas’ blistering start and strengthen their position in the Clausura playoff zone, with the seventh round of matches taking place from Friday to Sunday.