The arrival of the Argentine legend was greeted with immense excitement and admiration by the home team, and it appears to have had a positive impact on their performance. In the last game, Lionel Messi played a pivotal role with two assists. However, the manager now faces the challenging task of strategizing for a match without their star player, as Messi and several other key team members are unavailable due to international duties. This situation has added significant pressure to Gerardo Martino's role as they prepare to face a team from the opposite conference.
Conversely, for the away team, Messi's absence may present a hidden opportunity. Despite the team's undefeated record against Inter Miami with Messi, they now have a chance to secure a victory in his absence. Sporting KC seems determined to seize this opportunity, arriving with a strong sense of purpose. The away team is also in good form, coming off a recent win against the current table leaders of the Western Conference, St. Louis City SC.