I think the backlash across MLS would be pretty severe if he put them in over a Crew team that beat them in both cup competitions. At that point, there would be nothing the Crew could have done short of beating Montezuma in June. It would clearly be a case of the spot always being reserved for Miami regardless of any merit. Beyond that, it would be absolutely stupid from a business standpoint for MLS to put in Miami under those circumstances. Messi will need to be load managed in 2025 even more than he already has been to even get to the CWC healthy. I don't think Apple and the other 29 owners will be happy about their investment sitting out a bunch more league games to play in a tournament in which they don't receive any broadcast or ticket revenue. Apple especially won't be invested in the CWC having any amount of financial success after FIFA told them $1 billion was an insulting low-ball.