By Alejandro Guzman
Inter Miami CF continues its Leagues Cup 2026 campaign against CF Monterrey on Saturday at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will stream on Apple TV.
The MLS side opened this year's tournament with a 4-2 victory over Atlético de San Luis behind a Lionel Messi brace, while its Liga MX counterpart will look to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Orlando City SC. The matchup also marks the clubs' first meeting since their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal series, when Rayados eliminated Inter Miami with a 5-2 aggregate victory.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- 3rd official meeting betweet the two sides
- Monterrey won both previous meetings, both coming at the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal where Rayados won both legs.
- Record at Leagues Cup: Inter Miami (15-3), Monterrey (6-7)
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Inter Miami:
- 4 Wins, 1 Draw, 0 Losses
- Monterrey:
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 3 Losses
MAIN STORYLINES:
- Inter Miami has lost just once across all competitions since Guillermo Hoyos took over on April 15, posting a 9-2-1 record during that span.
- Monterrey head coach Matías Almeyda is seeking his first Leagues Cup victory after taking charge of Rayados earlier this season, compiling a 2-2 record in all competitions.
- Hugo Cuypers scored his first goal for Monterrey in the Leagues Cup opener after arriving from Chicago Fire, where he remains tied atop the 2026 MLS Golden Boot race with 13 goals despite moving to Liga MX.
- Saturday's result could prove pivotal, with both clubs aiming to strengthen their chances of reaching the Knockout Stage before their final Phase One match.
FACTORES CLAVES
- Inter Miami:
- Lionel Messi has totaled 12 goals and eight assists in 15 MLS appearances this season and opened his Leagues Cup campaign with two goals and one assist against Atlético de San Luis.
- Noah Allen has become an important attacking contributor, recording one goal and four assists across his last two official matches.
- Luis Suárez remains unavailable while serving a six-match Leagues Cup suspension after producing seven goals and one assist across his previous four official appearances before missing the tournament opener.
- Monterrey:
- Lucas Ocampos has been directly involved in six goals in Monterrey's last four official matches, scoring four times and adding two assists, including the assist on Hugo Cuypers' goal against Orlando City.
- Matías Almeyda called Lionel Messi "a machine" and praised his passion for the game, but Rayados will need to stay disciplined to contain Inter Miami's attack.
- Rayados created enough chances in its tournament opener but must be more clinical after falling 2-1 to Orlando City.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Inter Miami enters Saturday's match in strong form after losing just once across all competitions since Hoyos took over in April. Messi continues to lead one of MLS' most dangerous attacks, while Noah Allen has emerged as an unexpected creator from the back line.
Monterrey showed its attacking potential despite the opening defeat. Ocampos has been the club's most productive attacker in recent weeks, Cuypers opened his scoring account with Rayados, and Almeyda continues to implement his ideas with a squad that is still adapting to his system.
The match gives Monterrey and Inter Miami another opportunity to add a new chapter to a rivalry that began during their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup series.
Fresh off a four-goal performance in its Leagues Cup opener, Inter Miami CF has earned 59% of the market. That's compared to 23% for Monterrey, which will be looking to bounce back after dropping its first match.
