The champions are back.
In the 2024 edition of the ever-expanding MLS-LIGA MX rivalry, Club Puebla will make the trip to South Florida for what’s sure to be a battle against the inaugural Leagues Cup champion and current MLS Supporters Shield leaders, Inter Miami CF.
Argentinian legend Lionel Messi will not be available to begin the tournament for his return to the competition in which he so famously debuted a year ago due to an injury to his right ankle. Miami still boasts more than enough firepower to sustain another run until their captain returns, including former MLS Rookie of the Year Julian Gressel, defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets and left-back Jordi Alba.
Miami may also be in store for a debut of center back David Martinez — who received his clearance in time to be available in the Leagues Cup opener.
“The truth is that LIGA MX is a very competitive league. It is going to be a very good cup to play against them,” said Martinez. “It is a very good tournament and I think all of the teams from MLS are going to compete until the end. We are the defending champions so we’re going to give importance to this cup and try to defend our title.”
Such is the depth of the club from southern Florida, even with two former Barcelona superstars potentially out injured — Messi and striker Luis Suárez who will be evaluated “up to the last minute” according to Miami coach Tata Martino. When put in a similar situation throughout Copa America, Miami didn’t miss a step, stringing together four consecutive 2-1 victories.
However, Puebla may have a not-so secret weapon up their sleeve in Canadian international Lucas Cavallini.
“I hope that it’s going to be a very good game,” Cavallini said. “Even though they are missing some stars, it is still a team that can punish us. That’s why they’re in front of MLS. With Messi and Suárez gone for the Copa America, they have shown that they can compete and play without them. We have to be prepared.”
The former Vancouver Whitecaps striker affectionately known as “El Tanque” could be a player to watch in the 2024 edition of Leagues Cup as he enters the tournament in fine form, having scored four goals in the first four games of Puebla’s Liga MX Apertura campaign — already more than he managed in the entirety of last season’s Clausura.
Perhaps new manager José Manuel de la Torre is the protagonist to bring out the best of his attacking star in an attempt to right a ship that only mustered five points across 17 matches in the Clausura.
In defense, longtime center-back Emanuel Gularte returned to the club after spending last season with fellow LIGA MX side, Querétaro. To his left, fullback Brayan Angulo is coming off the best season of his career with three goals and seven assists across 36 matches, including the lone goal for Los Camoteros in last season’s Leagues Cup.
Similarly, team captain and veteran LIGA MX defensive midfielder Diego de Buen scored a career-high six goals last season, thriving during the team’s successful Apertura campaign in the same fashion as Angulo.
Contrary to Miami’s triumphant 2023 Leagues Cup campaign, Puebla aims to dispel the memories of last year, crashing out of the group stage to a pair of MLS sides despite defeating Chicago Fire in penalties on their way out the door. (Remember, there are no ties in Leagues Cup!)
A win against the top team in MLS to kick off their 2024 latest Leagues Cup journey could be the perfect pill for Puebla, but Miami has every intention of defending their title with three points.
