Major League Soccer (MLS) is no stranger to controversial scheduling decisions, but one of the biggest talking points among fans right now is why some teams, including Inter Miami, get a break during international fixtures while others are forced to play on. With stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets leading the Miami squad, their absence during international duty could be a major blow—so why does Inter Miami seem to avoid the worst of it? Is it an unfair advantage, or is there more to the story?
Why Does MLS Play Through the International Break?
Unlike many of the top leagues in Europe and South America, MLS continues its regular season schedule during FIFA-sanctioned international breaks. This means that teams often have to compete without their best players, who are called up to represent their national teams.
This decision is largely due to MLS’s unique calendar, which runs from February to December. With a packed schedule and fewer midweek games compared to other leagues, pausing for every international break would create significant fixture congestion later in the season.
While this has been a long-standing issue, it has become even more glaring now that MLS is attracting global superstars like Messi, Suárez, and Busquets. With many of these high-profile players frequently called up for international duty, teams relying on them are left scrambling to adjust during crucial league matches.
Why Does Inter Miami Get a Break?
Inter Miami’s ability to avoid playing through the international break is not a coincidence—it’s a result of strategic scheduling. While most MLS teams play through FIFA dates, some clubs have games rescheduled due to various factors, such as stadium availability, TV broadcasting considerations, or even the influence of high-profile players.
Messi’s arrival in MLS has changed the way the league operates, both on and off the field. With MLS positioning itself as a global brand, protecting its biggest star and ensuring he plays in as many games as possible is a priority. Since Messi’s presence significantly boosts viewership, ticket sales, and sponsorship deals, MLS might be bending over backward to ensure that Inter Miami plays with its full-strength squad whenever possible.
This is not the first time the league has been accused of favoring certain teams. Historically, teams like LA Galaxy and LAFC, which have featured global stars like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Carlos Vela, have also benefited from preferential scheduling. Inter Miami, as the league’s current marquee club, appears to be receiving similar treatment.
Is This Fair to Other MLS Teams?
For teams like the Philadelphia Union, Seattle Sounders, and FC Cincinnati—clubs that also lose key players to international duty but don’t get the luxury of a break—this situation raises serious concerns. While some clubs struggle to stay competitive without their top talents, Inter Miami gets the opportunity to keep its best players fresh and available for crucial league matches.
This raises the question: Should MLS adopt an international break like other top leagues, or should every team be given equal scheduling accommodations? Critics argue that if the league wants to be taken seriously on the global stage, it must stop favoring its biggest marketable teams and start prioritizing fairness across all clubs.
What’s Next for MLS?
As MLS continues to grow in stature, the league will need to address this glaring scheduling issue. If the goal is to create a more competitive and balanced playing field, either the entire league should pause during international breaks, or every team should be given the same flexibility Inter Miami seems to enjoy.
For now, fans and players of other teams will have to deal with what they perceive as an unfair advantage for Inter Miami. But with increasing pressure on MLS to evolve, change might be on the horizon. Until then, expect more frustration from clubs forced to play without their stars while Inter Miami gets to wait for its full squad to return.
