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Concacaf has officially postponed the first leg of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One matchup between Inter Miami CF and Sporting Kansas City due to severe winter weather. Originally set for February 18 at Children’s Mercy Park, the match has now been moved to Wednesday, February 19, with an 8 p.m. ET kickoff time.
The decision was made in collaboration with both clubs and local authorities to ensure the safety of players and fans. Kansas City is bracing for significant snowfall and frigid temperatures, prompting Concacaf to take preemptive action.
Despite the schedule change, previously purchased tickets will remain valid for Wednesday’s match. However, the postponement does not guarantee better playing conditions. Forecasts suggest that temperatures could drop even further, with wind chills plunging well below zero.
Some fans expressed frustration over the decision on social media, pointing out that rescheduling the match by just one day does little to alleviate the harsh weather conditions. "It’s still a deep freeze!" one fan commented. Others questioned why the home-and-home series wasn’t adjusted, allowing Miami to host the first leg and Sporting KC to play the return match in warmer conditions.
Players and coaches have acknowledged the challenges posed by the extreme weather. Sporting KC midfielder Erik Thommy emphasized the importance of staying active to combat the cold, stating, “If you move around, it’s going to be warm, and if you win, it’s going to be even warmer.” Meanwhile, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Lionel Messi will play despite the freezing temperatures, reassuring fans eager to see the soccer legend in action.
With harsh conditions expected, Children’s Mercy Park will implement additional measures to help fans stay warm, including extra heaters and allowances for fans to bring cardboard to stand on as insulation from the frozen ground.
The winter storm in Kansas City has also impacted Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer season opener against New York City FC. Originally scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. ET kickoff, the game has been pushed back to 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday to accommodate the delayed Champions Cup fixture. The decision was made to allow Miami adequate recovery time after playing in subzero temperatures and traveling back from Kansas City.
Meanwhile, Sporting KC’s MLS season opener against Austin FC remains unaffected and is set to proceed as planned at Q2 Stadium on Sunday night.
As Sporting KC and Inter Miami prepare to battle the elements, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt to one of the coldest matches in recent memory. Fans will have to brave the conditions if they want to witness Messi and Miami’s star-studded squad in action.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Tareq Ismail, Pexels / Stanislav Kondratiev
