## “Will Messi play?” — Injury Update & Team Outlook
Head coach Javier Mascherano has ruled out Lionel Messi for the upcoming clash with **Orlando City (MLS)**, citing a “minor muscle injury” in his right leg and deeming it too risky for him to feature given the high-stakes schedule ahead ([Reuters][1], [ESPN.com][2]). Despite the setback, both club and coach express confidence in a swift recovery for the Argentine superstar ([Diario AS][3], [SI][4]).
Supporting Messi’s absence, forward **Fafà Picault** has emphasized the tangible impact of Messi’s presence on the field—but also praised the squad’s depth, calling out Rodrigo De Paul’s quality and the team's collective resilience during this pivotal stretch ([Diario AS][5]).
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## Knockout Matchups & Schedule: The Quarterfinals Are Set
The **Leagues Cup 2025 quarterfinals** are locked in for **Wednesday, August 20**, featuring four thrilling MLS vs. Liga MX showdowns ([mlssoccer][6], [Diario AS][7], [leaguescup][8]):
| Time (ET) | Matchup |
| ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 8:00 p.m. | **Inter Miami (MLS 2) vs Tigres UANL (Liga MX 3)** at Chase Stadium |
| 9:00 p.m. | **Toluca FC (Liga MX 1) vs Orlando City (MLS 4)** – neutral venue: Dignity Health Sports Park |
| 11:00 p.m. | **Seattle Sounders FC (MLS 1) vs Club Puebla (Liga MX 4)** at Lumen Field |
| 11:45 p.m. | **LA Galaxy (MLS 3) vs CF Pachuca (Liga MX 2)** at Dignity Health Sports Park |
All matches will be available on **MLS Season Pass via Apple TV**, with some also airing on FS1, Univision, TSN, RDS, and Televisa networks ([leaguescup][8], [mlssoccer][6]).
---
## Tournament Bracket & What’s At Stake
With the **top four teams from each league advancing**, quarterfinal pairings were drawn based on Phase One standings:
* **MLS 1 vs. Liga MX 4**
* **MLS 2 vs. Liga MX 3**
* **MLS 3 vs. Liga MX 2**
* **MLS 4 vs. Liga MX 1**
([Charlotte Football Club][9], [Wikipedia][10], [mlssoccer][6]).
These intense matchups are the springboard to the semifinals (August 26–27) and the ultimate showdown in the **final and third-place playoff** on **August 31**—where three teams will clinch **qualification for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup** ([leaguescup][8], [Charlotte Football Club][9], [Wikipedia][10]).
---
### TL;DR Summary
* **Messi** is **out** for now—Inter Miami navigating the quarterfinals without him, but with optimism for his return.
* **Quarterfinal matchups** are set for **August 20**, all featuring MLS vs. Liga MX duels.
* **High stakes ahead**: path leads to semifinals and final on **August 31**, with Champions Cup qualification on the line.
Let me know if you'd like deeper breakdowns on any matchup or analysis on potential semifinal paths!
[1]: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/inter-miami-f-lionel-messi-leg-ruled-out-sunday-2025-08-09/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Inter Miami F Lionel Messi (leg) ruled out for Sunday"
[2]: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45931975/too-risky-lionel-messi-face-orlando-mascherano?utm_source=chatgpt.com "'Too risky' for Lionel Messi to face Orlando - Mascherano - ESPN"
[3]: https://as.com/us/futbol/mascherano-sobre-messi-no-estara-ante-orlando-city-pero-somos-muy-optimistas-de-que-pronto-volvera-n/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mascherano, sobre Messi: \"No estará ante Orlando City, pero somos muy optimistas de que pronto volverá\""
[4]: https://www.si.com/soccer/why-messi-isnt-playing-for-inter-miami-vs-pumas?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Why Lionel Messi Isn’t Playing for Inter Miami vs. Pumas UNAM"
[5]: https://as.com/us/futbol/picault-sobre-la-ausencia-de-messi-en-inter-miami-sabes-la-diferencia-que-hace-cuando-esta-en-la-cancha-n/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Picault, sobre la ausencia de Messi en Inter Miami: \"Sabes la diferencia que hace cuando está en la cancha\""
[6]: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/leagues-cup-2025-quarterfinals-advanced-mls-liga-mx-miami-seattle-tigres-toluca?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Leagues Cup 2025: Quarterfinal matchups, schedule info & who ..."
[7]: https://as.com/us/futbol/asi-quedan-los-cuartos-de-final-de-la-leagues-cup-2025-como-y-donde-ver-en-usa-n/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Así quedan los cuartos de final de la Leagues Cup 2025: cómo y dónde ver en USA"
[8]: https://www.leaguescup.com/news/leagues-cup-2025-quarterfinals-match-schedule-set-for-wednesday-august-20?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Leagues Cup 2025 Quarterfinals Match Schedule Set for Wednesday, August 20"
[9]: https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/news/leagues-cup-2025-bracket-key-dates-everything-fans-need-to-know?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Leagues Cup 2025: Bracket, Key Dates, Everything fans need to know"
[10]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Leagues_Cup?utm_source=chatgpt.com "2025 Leagues Cup"
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