The meeting between inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul is part of the 2023 Leagues Cup, a competition that, for the first time, includes every MLS and Liga MX club. The game will occur at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, July 21, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Saturday).

Numerous methods exist to watch the game online, depending on your area and preferences. Here are several possibilities:

1. If you live in the United States, you can watch the game for free on Univision or TUDN, both accessible on FuboTV. FuboTV provides a 7-day free trial, allowing you to join up and cancel at any time. You may also watch the game on Apple TV Plus, giving new users a 3-month free trial.
2. If you live in Canada, you can watch the game on TSN, accessible via SlingTV. SlingTV also provides a 7-day free trial to see whether you enjoy it.
3. If you live in another nation, you may watch the game on Apple TV Plus, giving new users a three-month free trial. Apple TV Plus is accessible in over 100 countries and regions, allowing you to play the game no matter where you are.

Lionel Messi, the Argentine great who joined the MLS club this summer after winning the World Cup with his national side, will also make his Inter Miami debut. Messi and former Barcelona colleague Sergio Busquets, who recently joined Inter Miami, will likely play some role in the game. Don’t miss out on this historic event for soccer lovers!

What exactly is the Leagues Cup?

The Leagues Cup is a soccer event that pits clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. However, the premier leagues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico are against one another. It began in 2019 as an eight-team knockout tournament. So, in 2023 it was enlarged to include all 47 clubs from both leagues in a group stage and a knockout round. The Leagues Cup is intended to increase competitiveness and enthusiasm among North American leagues.

Moreover. Providing additional options for international exposure and qualifying. The top three Leagues Cup clubs advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Thus, a continental competition that decides the most fantastic club in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The current Leagues Cup winners are León, a Mexican club that defeated Cruz Azul 2-1 in the final in Las Vegas in 2019. The 2023 Leagues Cup is now underway, with the group stage beginning on July 18 and concluding on August 10. The knockout stage will begin on August 23 and end on September 28 with the final. Inter Miami CF, who recruited Lionel Messi this summer; Seattle Sounders FC, the defending MLS Cup winners; and Club América. So, the most successful Mexican club in history are among the prominent teams competing in this year’s Leagues Cup.

What is the Leagues Cup format for this year?

This year’s Leagues Cup is divided into a group stage and a knockout round. The group stage comprises 15 groups of three teams each, with two byes to the knockout round. Each team faces the other in their group twice at home and once away. The top two teams from each group and the two that got byes proceed to the knockout round. The knockout stage consists of a single-elimination competition with a predetermined bracket. Each round, the teams play one game, with the higher-seeded team hosting. The final will be held at a neutral location.

What is the monetary value of the Leagues Cup?

The Leagues Cup prize money has not been officially published. Still, it is anticipated to be approximately $40 million for the event, with the winner collecting close to $2 million for progressing through each round. The prize money is distributed throughout all 77 tournament games, and each club’s prize money is undisclosed to the participants. The prize money is intended to encourage intense competition and attract more viewers and sponsors to the event.

The Leagues Cup is a qualifying tournament for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. with a more significant prize fund of $5 million for the champion and an undetermined total prize purse for the whole event. The CONCACAF Champions Cup is a continental event that chooses the most fantastic club in North, Central, and South America. The top three Leagues Cup clubs advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the winner earning a bye into the round of 16.

In contrast, the prize money for other soccer competitions varies. For example, the Copa Libertadores, South America’s greatest club tournament, has a total prize pool of $207.8 million, with the champion collecting up to $28 million. The overall prize fund for the FIFA Club World Cup, a worldwide event including the sponsors of each continent, is $16 million, with the winner getting $5 million.

Who last won the CONCACAF Champions Cup?

The last CONCACAF Champions Cup was contested in 2022, and the United States Seattle Sounders FC won. In the final, contested over two legs on April 27 and May 4, they beat Pumas UNAM, a Mexican club, 5-2 on aggregate. Seattle Sounders FC won the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time since the league was rebranded from the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008. They also qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, a worldwide event including the winners of each continent.

The CONCACAF Champions Cup is an annual continental club soccer tournament organized by CONCACAF, the North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer regulatory organization. Clubs from these areas compete after qualifying via national leagues or other regional competitions. The CONCACAF Champions Cup winner automatically qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup. Through the 2022 event, the tournament has been completed 58 times, with 59 champions owing to a three-way tie in the 1978 competition. América, a Mexican side that has won the league seven times, is the most successful club in the competition’s history.

Comparison of the Inter Miami vs. Cruz Azul squads

 Both sides have good players, but their strengths and limitations vary. Consider the following points:

Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar who joined the MLS club this summer after winning the World Cup with his national side, gives Inter Miami an edge. Messi is generally recognized as one of the greatest players of all time, and his talent, vision, and creativity enable him to create and score goals. He also gets along well with his former Barcelona colleague Sergio Busquets, who joined Inter Miami. Messi debuted Inter Miami as a substitute in their last match against Austin. He is anticipated to play some role against Cruz Azul.

Cruz Azul is the current Liga MX champion, Mexico’s premier division. They have a well-balanced and experienced roster, with players who have previously played together. So, They are well-known for their defensive tenacity, toughness, and set-piece ability. They also have some quality attackers, such as Jonathan Rodrguez, who led Liga MX in scoring last season with 21 goals, and Orbeln Pineda, a creative and flexible midfielder. Cruz Azul has won the most CONCACAF Champions Cup championships of any Mexican club, and they are used to competing against MLS teams.

Inter Miami has a slightly better average rating than Cruz Azul (6.92 vs. 6.88). However, Cruz Azul has a larger market worth than Inter Miami ($64.8 million vs. $62.5 million). Cruz Azul’s average age is also older than Inter Miami’s (27 vs. 24.7), which indicates more experience or less vitality.

So, based on these facts, it’s difficult to conclude which side has the better players. It might be determined by how they perform on the day, adjust to the circumstances, and exploit each other’s flaws. The game should be engaging and competitive.

Who are the other participants in this game to keep an eye on?

Apart from Messi and Busquets, the primary attractions in this game, there are a few more players from both sides to watch. Here are a few examples:

Jonathan Rodrguez: The Cruz Azul standout is a Uruguayan striker who led Liga MX in goals last season with 21. He is a quick, robust, and clinical finisher who can set up his teammates. He has two goals in three games this season and will be a danger to the Inter Miami defence.

Orbeln Pineda: Another crucial player for Cruz Azul, the Mexican midfielder is noted for his inventiveness, flexibility, and work rate. He can play in various midfield and offensive positions and has exceptional vision and passing range. He also tends to score crucial goals, like he did against Tigres in the 2019 Leagues Cup final.

Gonzalo Higuain: Inter Miami’s captain and top scorer this season, with ten goals in 17 MLS appearances. He is a seasoned goal scorer who has played for several of Europe’s top teams, including Real Madrid, Juventus, and Chelsea. He is Messi’s former Argentina national teammate, and they get along well on the field.

Rodolfo Pizarro: Inter Miami’s most creative player, leading the club with six assists this season. He is a skilled, quick, and deceptive dribbler who can generate opportunities from the wings or cut inside to shoot. He has also played against Cruz Azul since he was a member of the Monterrey club. So, he defeated them in the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League final.

These are just a few players to watch in this game; many more might have an influence. It should be an intriguing battle of styles and cultures between two sides aiming to improve their confidence and form.

So far, how many goals has Messi scored for Inter Miami?

Messi has yet to score a goal for Inter-Miami despite having only played one game for the team. He debuted as a substitute in their previous game, a 1-1 tie against Austin. He played for 25 minutes and had two attempts at goal, but neither was successful. In his second outing against Cruz Azul, he will want to score his first goal for Inter Miami.