Leagues Cup 2023 Inter Miami vs Cruz Azul LIVE: Cruz Azul

Friday is one of the most significant days in the history of North American soccer. The third edition of the Leagues Cup begins with Liga MX side Cruz Azul visiting Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami.

Messi, alongside Sergio Busquets, will make his debut for Inter Miami after completing a free transfer. The MLS side hopes to kick off an era of success with the World Cup winner at the helm — and as a seeded team, Inter Miami will like its chances to progress.

Kickoff is at 9 pm ET. The game can be viewed as part of the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in the United States. Spanish-language viewing options include TUDN and Univision.

Cruz Azul vs. Inter Miami, 2023 Leagues Cup group stage, DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Update

Inter Miami are poised to enter a new, superstar-laden era on Friday. Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi will receive their first minutes in North America as head coach Tata Martino looks to bring both players up to speed.

Inter Miami have had a challenging season and will be using the Leagues Cup to reset ahead of a potential playoff push when MLS action resumes in August. The David Beckham-owned side targeted Martino to replace Phil Neville as the Messi chase heated up, and the expansion club has been able to attract the World Cup winner — as well as European champions Busquets and Jordi Alba — despite sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a league-worst 18 points from 22 games.

Cruz Azul hoping to turn form around

Like Inter Miami, Liga MX side Cruz Azul has had a less-than-ideal start to the Apertura campaign in Mexico. The Mexico City-based side has lost each of its first three games of the tournament, scoring only one goal in the process. So far, Las Liebres are the only side in Liga MX that hasn’t registered a point after three matchdays.

But, piloted by Mexico internationals Uriel Antuna and Charly Rodriguez — both recent Gold Cup winners with El Tri — Cruz Azul are looking to use the Leagues Cup as a platform on which to bounce back after a disappointing start to the season. Martino pinpointed Antuna as a threat in his Thursday press conference, so Inter Miami are expected to keep a close eye on the energetic attacking midfielder at DRV PNK Stadium.

Follow all the Leagues Cup action right here on the MARCA English LIVE play-by-play.