The defending MLS Cup champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy, are heading into the 30th season on a high note after claiming their sixth title last season. The team will have to aim for a repeat without their star player, Riqui Puig, who is out for a majority of the season with a ACL injury.

The Inter Miami team plane landed at 4 a.m. Thursday after a brutal 1-0 road victory against Sporting KC in sub-zero temperatures in Kansas City. Coach Javier Mascherano gave players the day off, saying they deserved it after playing in conditions he described as “inhumane”, so they had only Friday to prepare for Saturday’s big home game.

Despite crashing out of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs against Atlanta United, Miami were by far the best team through the regular season. With 22 wins in 34 matches, they hit 74 points to set a new single-season MLS points record, all while missing Lionel Messi for over a third of the season.