MIAMI. - Inter Miami CF looks to continue advancing in its first Concacaf Champions Cup campaign as it hosts five-time winners Monterrey in the first leg of its quarterfinal series at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Lionel Messi could return for Miami after missing three consecutive league matches. The Argentine star scored two goals and provided one assist to help Inter Miami advance 5-3 on aggregate over Nashville SC in the Round of 16.
Alongside Messi, Luis Suarez has two goals to co-lead the MLS side in the tournament. Suarez is the team’s sole leader in assists with two, followed by Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Diego Gomez with one each.
Inter Miami has the best shot conversion rate in this CCC edition, 23.8%, with an average of 10.5 shots per game. Three goals have come from open play with two off-headers.
CF Monterrey has the best all-time winning percentage in Concacaf Champions League and CCC at 74% and holds the most victories in knockout matches with 27. The current squad is headed by coach Fernando Ortiz, who has led the club to four consecutive victories in this tournament.
Monterrey were victorious over Comunicaciones in Round One, winning 7-1 on aggregate. The Mexican club then eliminated MLS side FC Cincinnati 3-1 on aggregate in the Round of 16.
Brandon Vazquez is Monterrey's top scorer in the 2024 CCC with three goals. The former MLS man scored in both Round of 16 matches and has the most shots on goal for the team with nine.
Maximiliano Meza provided three assists in the Round of 16 against FC Cincinnati. In 15 Concacaf club tournament matches, the Argentine has scored 4 goals and provided 7 assists. Meza has helped Monterrey to two Concacaf Champions League trophies in 2019 and 2021.
Mexican national team midfielder Luis Romo scored his first CCC goal in the second match against FC Cincinnati after 9 previous tournament appearances with Cruz Azul and Monterrey.
Goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has two clean sheets. He is also one of the goalkeepers with the most saves in the 2024 CCC with 16, alongside Jonathan Fonkel from Robinhood.
Match Officials Inter Miami CF (USA) vs CF Monterrey (MEX)
REF: WALTER LOPEZ (Guatemala)
AR1: KEYTZEL CORRALES (Nicaragua)
AR2: RAYMUNDO FELIZ (Dominican Republic)
4TH: BRYAN LOPEZ (Guatemala)
VAR: RICARDO MONTERO (Costa Rica)
VAR1: BENJAMIN PINEDA (Costa Rica)
