The Herons were originally set to play Tuesday night, but the match has now been pushed back 24 hours to Wednesday due to frigid temperatures
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Inter Miami to play SKC in CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday after rescheduleForecast calls for negative temperatures, snow, unsafe conditionsMascherano said Messi would have been available if game played as scheduledGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup match vs. Sporting Kansas City, originally scheduled for Tuesday night, has been postponed because of adverse weather conditions. The match has been pushed back 24 hours to Wednesday, with kickoff now set for 8 p.m. ET.
The National Weather Service in Kansas City stated that "accumulating snow" is expected to start Monday, leading into Tuesday. NWS added that "record low" temperatures could arrive on Wednesday. Snowfall is expected to reach nine inches, resulting in unplayable conditions Tuesday.
In a statement issued by SKC, the club said "the decision to reschedule the match has been made to prioritize player and fan safety, and in close coordination with the two participating clubs and the local authorities."
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is expected to travel and play, according to Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano. Speaking to media on Monday, Mascherano said that, despite unconfirmed reports, Messi would play regardless of the frigid conditions.
“Messi is 100 percent available. I can assure you that he will play," Mascherano said.
Temperatures Wednesday night are still expected to be in single digits, with wind chill "feels like" temps of 15 to 25 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Last fall, a report surfaced that MLS is mulling the decision of switching to a fall to spring calendar year that would include breaks in the winter and summer, opposite of what they are doing right now. One of the biggest roadblocks to that, though, has been the winter season in the northern and midwestern parts of the country.
While Tuesday's match in Kansas City is part of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, not MLS, it still indicates concerns in certain markets in certain months pertaining to weather.
Previous MLS matches have been played in snowy conditions, including the famous 2017 match between Minnesota United and Atlanta United that had stadium staff persons using leaf blowers, shovels, and other materials to clear snow off the pitch numerous times during the game.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the 2024 edition of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Miami were eliminated by Liga MX side CF Monterrey in the quarterfinals. Sporting did not compete in it in 2024.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI, SPORTING KC?
The victor of the two-legged series will advance to the Round of 16, where they will take on Cavalier SC of the Jamaican Premier League. Leg one of that series will be on March 6 before the return leg in Jamaica on March 13.
Should one of Sporting or Miami advance past the Jamaican side, they would take on either the Columbus Crew or the winner of LAFC/Colorado Rapids.