Club América's Brian Rodríguez admitted that the possibility of featuring alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at Inter Miami CF plays a role in his decision-making process as he considers a move away from the Liga MX team.

LAFC and América got this opportunity after FIFA disqualified León because of its rules against participation by multiple clubs owned by the same entity. León and fellow Liga MX qualifier Pachuca are owned by the same group, and León lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after attempting to change its ownership structure.

They'll be in this playoff due to Mexican team Club Leon being banned due to multi-club ownership rules. Leon appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but lost that appeal, leaving it in FIFA's hands as to how they'd be replaced.