If the Fire keep playing like they did before the Leagues Cup break, they have an excellent shot at making the MLS playoffs.

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/8/19/23837222/chicago-fire-entering-final-critical-stretch-of-season

In addition to the advantage earned in the MLS post-season, the league says higher MLS regular-season ranking will be rewarded with greater home-field advantage and grouping with lower seeded LIGA MX opponents during Leagues Cup group play.

Source: https://www.baytoday.ca/national-sports/major-league-soccer-revamps-and-expands-post-season-format-for-2023-6589032

Inter Miami and Orlando City are set to play in the next round of the Leagues Cup on Wednesday night.

Source: https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/local-news/inter-miami-to-play-orlando-city-on-wednesday-in-the-leagues-cup/

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) controls the ball during the second half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Cruz Azul on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Source: https://www.timesleader.com/sports/1614961/lionel-messi-makes-his-inter-miami-debut-checks-in-during-2nd-half-against-cruz-azul

LA Galaxy midfielder Tyler Boyd, right, kicks the ball past Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Andrés Cubas during the first half of a Leagues Cup group stage soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

Source: https://www.pressenterprise.com/2023/09/01/tyler-boyds-move-to-the-u-s-and-galaxy-is-paying-off/

Lionel Messi scored in his third straight game for Inter Miami bagging yet another brace for Inter Miami in their 3-1 win against Orlando in a Leagues Cup game on Thursday.

Source: https://onlinenigeria.com/sports/345479-messi-scores-in-third-consecutive-game-as-inter-miami-win-again.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=messi-scores-in-third-consecutive-game-as-inter-miami-win-again

Messi joined Miami midway through 2023 and appeared in only six MLS regular-season matches with the club — though led the team to its first trophy by winning the Leagues Cup shortly after his arrival.

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/12/20/24010037/lionel-messi-fire-inter-miami-mls-schedlue-soldier-field-soccer

Nashville SC has already seen Messi up close, as Inter Miami won on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw to win the Leagues Cup title in Nashville on Aug. 19.

Source: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mls/2023-mls-odds-bettors-back-messi-inter-miami-against-nashville

Placed at the rock bottom of MLS’s Eastern Conference and ranking 29th out of 29 teams in the league-wide race for the Supporter’s Shield, Inter Miami is embracing a much-needed break as the regular campaign goes on hold during the Leagues Cup.

Source: https://thewillnews.com/inter-miami-aims-for-season-turnaround-with-new-squad-additions-as-leagues-cup-kickoff/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=inter-miami-aims-for-season-turnaround-with-new-squad-additions-as-leagues-cup-kickoff

Regardless of what happens in the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami will play LAFC at BMO early next month.

Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2023-08-08/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-lafc-leagues-cup

The CONCACAF Champions League, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup, Supporters’ Shield and, if they qualify for the playoffs, the MLS Cup makes six pieces of hardware up for grabs.

Source: https://www.dailynews.com/2023/02/23/lafc-preview-5-questions-for-the-defending-mls-champs/

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar Antetokounmpo was in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday to watch Nashville S.C. take on Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup final.

Source: https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/video-giannis-antetokounmpo-trolls-lionel-messi/619242