The return of Messi, the mystery of ‘Cucho’ and ‘The traffic’ from Los Angeles add flavor to the MLS

Photo Credit To Agencia EFE

The return of Lionel Messi after his injury, the mystery in the Columbus Crew around Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández and the Los Angeles derby between Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and the LA Galaxy mark matchday 8 of the MLS that takes place this weekend of week.

Messi has not played since March 13 with Inter Miami due to a muscle injury, but his return to the competition could occur this Saturday in the match that the pink team will host the Colorado Rapids.

“He’s back,” the official Inter Miami account on X published this Friday, confirming that the genius from Rosario is in the squad for this match.

Javier Morales, assistant coach of Inter Miami, explained to the media this Friday that Messi “is feeling better” and that “he is training with the group.”

On another front, the team led by Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will play next Wednesday in Mexico the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, after losing the first leg 1-2 against Monterrey.

On the other hand, the Columbus Crew, current champion of the MLS Cup, will receive DC United with the mystery still surrounding the absence of the Colombian ‘Cucho’ Hernández, the great star of the team and who has not performed in the last two games .

“Team policy,” coach Wilfried Nancy said to a question about it.

The most attractive match of the day will be the Los Angeles derby, known colloquially as ‘The Traffic’, between LAFC and the LA Galaxy.

In recent years, LAFC, champion of the MLS Cup in 2022, has been the best team in the Californian city against a Galaxy with many problems on and off the field.

But this year it seems that the situation has changed, at least at this start of the tournament, with a Galaxy led by the Spanish Riqui Puig, undefeated and leader of the West; while LAFC, without Mexican Carlos Vela this season, has suffered three defeats in six games.

Other notable matches of the day are the duel between Cincinnati, led by Argentine Luciano Acosta (MLS MVP in 2023), and the New York Red Bulls and the confrontation between New York City FC and Atlanta United, led by Argentine Thiago Almada.