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SALT LAKE CITY — Real Salt Lake will be the first team to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the Argentine superstar's first full season in MLS.
The 2024 schedule was announced Wednesday, with RSL opening its season on the road in Miami on Feb. 21 as a standalone "MLS is BACK" kickoff for the league's 29th season. It will be the first meeting ever between the two clubs and the only scheduled matchup in MLS play in 2024.
Fans got their hopes up for a meeting in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final but were ultimately let down when RSL bowed out in the semifinal. MLS participation in the 2024 Open Cup is currently up in the air as the league requested to have its developmental MLS Next Pro teams compete instead of the senior squads.
The other opportunity for a Messi matchup would be in the Leagues Cup tournament, held from July 26-Aug. 25 between MLS and Liga MX clubs.
Year 2️⃣ of Messi with @intermiamicf is coming soon. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/MLtUrQ5B6H
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 20, 2023
As for the rest of the MLS calendar, RSL's 2024 home opener will be on March 2 against LAFC, followed immediately by the first Rocky Mountain Cup matchup of the year at home against Colorado Rapids on March 9.
The Claret and Cobalt have a three-game home stand from June 22-July 6 against LA Galaxy, Houston Dynamo and Atlanta United, and will finish off the season at home as well with a Decision Day battle against Vancouver at America First Field on Oct. 19.
All games will once again be broadcast exclusively on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The 2024 preseason will begin on Jan. 12 and RSL is taking its first international preseason trip since 2006 starting on Jan. 28 to Portugal.
