Inter Miami is striving to clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in their last four fixtures of the MLS. Their star skipper Lionel Messi has been unavailable in the Herons’ recent games due to injury issues. Meanwhile, a rival goalkeeper brought attention to a significant concern regarding the scheduling of games in MLS that has been a serious threat to clubs and players.

MLS teams endure a demanding season due to consecutive games in the league and the championship fixture. This contributes to a higher risk of injuries among the players in the squad. On this note, the Philadelphia Union star urges for a revision of the match schedules for better productivity in the league.

What did the Philadelphia star condemn on the MLS fixture?

MLS teams initially participate in four competitions every year, including the regular season, the Leagues Cup, the U.S Open Cup, and if qualified, then the CONCACAF Champions League. Teams progressing to the playoff spot in each championship encounter greater challenges when competing in consecutive games. Consequently, Andre Blake, Philadelphia’s vice-captain, condemned this overloaded calendar, which needs to reform its format in the upcoming seasons.

Philadelphia is in for an unusually extended season after playing the 45th game with the possibility of playing nine more depending on their knockout matches. Many teams play six games within eighteen days after advancing to the consecutive rounds in their season. Andre Blake highlights such excessive utilization of players is causing fatigue and impeding their optimal performances. The 32-year-old star stated to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “We’re the ones that are suffering, and the quality of the league is going to go down. It’s ridiculous, and players have to speak up”.

Simultaneously, Inter Miami has also become a victim of this congested MLS schedule. The Herons’ star players, including Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, have been sidelined for several games due to injury. Meanwhile, La Pulga’s next game for Miami is still in doubt due to his physical condition.

Read more: Are Inter Miami and MLS Deliberately Hiding Lionel Messi’s Injury to Avoid Losses in Ticket Sales & Viewership?

Injury looms large for Lionel Messi

The 7x Ballon d’Or winner sustained a scar muscle injury due to his participation in consecutive games in domestic and international competitions. Messi is going through an evaluation for his recovery and missed out on consecutive games at Inter Miami. The Barca star played only 37 minutes in the last 23 days due to the ongoing injury concerns. La Pulga’s absence has been a major problem for Herons’ hope to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Beckham’s men could secure just one win in the last four league games due to their underwhelming performances. Inter Miami are four points away from the qualification spot. They need to secure their next matches to keep their hopes alive in MLS. In the interim, the South Beach side encounters two formidable opponents, Chicago Fire on October 4 and Cincinnati on 7 October. It will be a challenging endeavor for Inter Miami for their aim to qualify for the Eastern Conference, with Lionel Messi still in doubt for the upcoming MLS fixtures.

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