In preparation for the demanding 2024 season, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, kicks off an intensive preseason with a friendly against the El Salvador national team. The fixture marks the beginning of a three-week preseason tour covering 23,000 miles and includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Dallas, Texas, in addition to the Caribbean opener. Head coach Tata Martino, armed with a full offseason for strategic planning, faces the challenge of managing a squad featuring aging stars such as Messi (36), Sergio Busquets (35), Jordi Alba (34), and new signing Luis Suarez (36). The preseason journey becomes a critical aspect, especially following last year’s playoff miss attributed, in part, to Messi’s injury, sparking discussions on managing season-long congestion.
Inter Miami’s preseason tour is designed to fine-tune the squad’s preparation for the upcoming season. The club’s itinerary spans multiple continents, providing diverse playing conditions and challenges. The international exposure is expected to strengthen team dynamics and strategic adaptability as they gear up for the February 21 competitive season opener.
A key narrative for Inter Miami will be how Tata Martino navigates the workload of seasoned players like Messi, Busquets, and Alba. The trio, along with the recent addition of Luis Suarez, brings a wealth of experience but requires careful management to maintain peak performance throughout the season. The preseason matches serve as a testing ground for tactical approaches and player rotations to address the season-long physical demands.
The upcoming 2024 season carries high stakes for Inter Miami, and the preseason tour sets the tone for the challenges ahead. The friendly against the El Salvador national team not only provides a valuable warm-up but also offers insights into the team’s cohesion and readiness. The strategic choices made during this preseason will be closely scrutinized as Inter Miami aspires to secure a prominent position in the MLS standings and make a strong playoff push.
Inter Miami vs El Salvador live stream, TV channel
- TV Channel: None
- Streaming: MLSsoccer.com (English), MLSes.com (Spanish)
What time does Inter Miami vs El Salvador kick off?
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Fri, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Fri, Jan. 19 | 5 p.m. PT |
| UK | Sat, Jan. 20 | 1 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Jan. 20 | 10 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, Jan. 20 | 5:30 a.m. IST |