Hey friends,

Preseason camps are underway. We can feel the games getting closer. Here’s what we’ve got kicking around today…

• 🛫 Inter Miami’s Wild Preseason

• 🧪 MLS Innovation Lab

• ❓️Matt Doyle Reddit AMA Recap

Inter Miami’s Insane Preseason

MLS teams reported for preseason training this week, and one team’s schedule looks slightly different than the rest — Inter Miami. Are you surprised? Of course not. The Messi Mania is really just beginning.

Inter Miami’s preseason extravaganza is downright insane. It’s a full-on world tour. Look… we know it’s common for teams to travel abroad for a few preseason games but this is different.

In Inter Miami’s 7 preseason games, they’ll visit five countries (US, El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Japan) and travel 23,644 miles. All in less than 30 days. We’re getting jetlagged just thinking about that.

Compare that to LAFC who won’t travel outside of Southern California for their three preseason games and you’ll start to think Miami will be at a disadvantage. It’s not crazy to think this team will show up to their home opener on February 21st a bit tired.

MLS Innovation Lab

If you’re familiar with the startup or tech world, this is crazy cool! The MLS is launching an Innovation Lab in New York City. This initiative serves as a hub for global tech startups to collaborate and develop groundbreaking soccer technologies.

The Innovation Lab’s first cohort of 6 companies just kicked off. Here are the 6 companies chosen in the first cohort.

1. A-Champs: Based in Barcelona, Spain, A-Champs offers an innovative cognitive and technical training system designed for athletes across various skill levels. Their focus is on enhancing athletic performance through specialized training methods

2. CAMB.AI: This AI-driven dubbing platform, originating from the U.S., specializes in real-time translation of content into multiple languages. It uniquely preserves the original voice and tone, offering a dynamic and authentic translation experience for various content, including sports broadcasts.

3. Fabric: U.S.-based Fabric creates engaging mixed-reality experiences for sports fans at live events. Their platform incorporates gamification elements, driving fan loyalty and engagement through interactive experiences and reward systems.

4. Fitogether: From South Korea, Fitogether is recognized by FIFA as a preferred provider of wearable player tracking technology. Their system offers high-precision tracking with GPS and video hybrid technology, catering to both professional and academy-level athletes, ensuring centimeter-level accuracy in performance data.

5. Reeplayer: Operating out of the U.S., Reeplayer offers an advanced AI camera system that enables sports teams and organizations to automatically record, live stream, and monetize their soccer footage. This technology streamlines the process of capturing and sharing sports content.

6. STAIDIUM U.S.: This American company provides an AI and 5G-enabled camera system coupled with an OTT platform. STAIDIUM U.S. specializes in delivering live broadcasts, highlight reels, and comprehensive game and player analytics, leveraging advanced technology to enhance the sports viewing experience.

At the end of the cohort, each company has a chance to receive long-term partnerships and further investments from the MLS if their testing and trial period goes well. It’s a big opportunity for these young startups and we hope the technology they bring only betters the league and soccer overall.

Some Gems from Matt Doyle’s AMA

Matt Doyle, the famed MLS armchair expert did a AMA on Reddit this week. It was filled with insights so we picked a few of our favorites so you can spare the time.

Best Storyline not named Messi?

We love this answer because the MLS hasn’t exactly been known to produce world-class playmakers like other leagues and countries have. And in reality, a league is only as good as the playmakers. Sorry defenders.

Dark Horse for the Wooden Spoon (the team with the worst record)?

Look away Nashville fans 🫣 Doyle lays out a plan for an unlikely but disastrous season.

How would you categorize MLS tactics?

Interesting that he said it’s the same as other leagues. Positional play with the ball is the most difficult type of soccer to play but usually the most fun to watch. Although counter-attacking teams can be a blast to watch.

Goal of the Week

Sometimes the assists are just better than the goals 🤷 

Absolute filth from McKennie

Tweet of the Week

We found a cool map of where the millions of MLS fans around the country live. Check it out 👇️ 

Quick Hits

• Cameron Carter-Vickers is getting interest from Premier League clubs (Link)

• Atlanta United haven’t received any offers for Thiago Almada (Link)

• Sebastian Driussi has obtained a green card and will no longer occupy an international roster spot (Link)

• Giorgio Chiellini will remain with LAFC as a player development coach (Link)

• Colorado Rapids sign USMNT LB Sam Vines(Link)

• Como FC has reached a verbal agreement with St. Louis for Niko Gioacchini (Link)