MLS

Major League Soccer will send teams from the MLS Next Pro development league to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup instead of the clubs' traditional first teams.

It will mark the first time in the history of MLS that its franchises do not send their top players to the annual domestic knockout tournament. The Athletic reported that the league will "reassess its first teams' involvement" after 2024 to decide whether to continue sending Next Pro teams to participate.

Former Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has decided to retire from professional football, the 39-year-old announced on Twitter on Tuesday.

Chiellini, who played for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC this season, retires after losing the MLS Cup final 2-1 to Columbus Crew on Saturday.

Chiellini retires

Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are going worldwide in 2024 with the preseason schedule taking the Herons to El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and who knows where else. The Inter Miami preseason travel will be intense.

The idea of Miami touring the world and fans getting to see one last Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo game is exciting on paper. When you start adding up the miles that the club will travel you start to feel a little bad for the Miami players.

Here are the dates and opponents announced so far.

Inter Miami 2024 preseason schedule

The Columbus Crew outlasted LAFC 2-1 to win MLS Cup on Saturday in front 20,802 fans at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. An unbelievable Malte Amundsen assist to Yaw Yeboah gave the Crew their second and game-winning goal.

Amundsen might just have won himself the assist of the season as the Danish center back delivered an inch-perfect ball that cut LAFC’s back line wide open.

Amundsen assist vs LAFC in MLS Cup

TWO FOR THE CREW

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi was named Athlete of the Year by Time Magazine on Wednesday, thanks in large part to his decision to bring his talents to Inter Miami and ultimately raise the profile of Major League Soccer.

The honor comes just over a year from Messi's win with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In July, the 36-year-old left Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami.

In a recent interview in his home country of Argentina pertaining to his availability for the 2026 World Cup, soccer superstar Lionel Messi called Major League Soccer – his current home – "a minor league."

The comment to Star+ came in the context of laying out his priorities, which continue to be trying to support his national team to the fullest. That includes competing in next summer's Copa America for Argentina.

In a recent interview in his home country of Argentina pertaining to his availability for the 2026 World Cup, soccer superstar Lionel Messi called Major League Soccer -- his current home -- "a minor league."

The comment to Star+ came in the context of laying out his priorities, which continue to be trying to support his national team to the fullest. That includes competing in next summer's Copa America for Argentina.

UPDATE: Inter Miami have released a statement that the reports of the club's participation in the Riyadh Season Cup is inaccurate.

Inter Miami statement on rumored friendly vs. Al-Nassr, calling the news “inaccurate”:

“Earlier today, an announcement was issued stating that Inter Miami CF is scheduled to play in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is inaccurate.” pic.twitter.com/DoRsm2kp30

Inter Miami played an organized friendly vs. New York City FC on Friday to celebrate Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or. The game was dubbed the “Noche d’Or” but ended as a night of horror as NYCFC spoiled the night with a 2-1 win.

The festivities at DRV PNK Stadium started upbeat with Messi presenting his legendary eighth Ballon d’Or award to the fans.

Leo Messi presents the Ballon d'Or in front of Inter Miami's fans pic.twitter.com/NYM2aunk92