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Preview: Inter Miami visit the Capital

Preview: Inter Miami visit the Capital

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It’s back to Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, whose hectic schedule continues as a result of their progress in the Leagues Cup and the fact that they’re still playing catch-up in the league following the Club World Cup.

By James Nalton

However, they could not have asked for a better opponent coming off the back of a difficult Leagues Cup tie against Tigres, as they face the bottom team in the Eastern Conference and the worst team in MLS on current form, DC United.

Messi misses out again

Lionel Messi’s availability is an ongoing storyline this season, especially following the injury he picked up in the Leagues Cup group stage and subsequent uncertainty around his recovery.

The hamstring injury appeared to be affecting him at the end of his return to action in the recent MLS game against LA Galaxy, in which he came on for the second half and won the game for his side with a goal and an assist, but looked uncomfortable as he exited the field.

Head coach Javier Mascherano originally suggested his compatriot would be OK for the game against Tigres, but in the end, Messi didn’t even make the bench because of the injury.

It seems he was rushed back too soon, so Inter Miami should be aiming not to make the same mistake again, meaning he might miss the game against DC United in order to be saved for the Leagues Cup semifinal against Orlando.

Scheduling issues mount up

Following their involvement in the Club World Cup, in which they reached the knockout stages, Inter Miami have now gone far in another mid-season competition, this time the Leagues Cup.

They progressed against one of the toughest teams remaining in the Liga MX vs MLS tournament, Tigres, on Wednesday night.

Luis Suárez dispatched two penalty kicks following controversial handball decisions in Inter Miami’s favour, where in both instances the distance before the ball hit the arm was very small.

It gave the Herons a 2-1 win and saw them progress to the all-MLS semifinals next Wednesday night, where they will face fellow Floridians Orlando City for the second time this month.

Miami’s intense schedule and Messi’s injury problems will give their DC United opponents some hope despite their recent poor form.

Opposition watch: DC United

DC United sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, have conceded the most goals in the entirety of MLS, and have scored the fewest.

Despite this, striker Christian Benteke is always a threat. In the previous two seasons in MLS, he has been in the top three for expected goals and won the league’s Golden Boot in 2024, scoring two more than Messi and Suárez.

Even his output has dipped this season, though, as DC United struggle to create chances. They have the second-lowest team xG in the league, having been sixth in their conference for this stat last year, and are in the bottom five in MLS for the number of big chances created.

Prediction

Given the quick turnaround following their Leagues Cup game and the uncertainty around Messi, the opposition should fancy their chances, especially on home turf, but DC United inspire little confidence, and even a tired, depleted Inter Miami should have too much for them.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Inter Miami visit the Capital

It’s back to Major League Soccer for Inter Miami, whose hectic schedule continues as a result of their progress in the Leagues Cup and the fact that they’re still playing catch-up in the league following the Club World Cup.

By James Nalton

However, they could not have asked for a better opponent coming off the back of a difficult Leagues Cup tie against Tigres, as they face the bottom team in the Eastern Conference and the worst team in MLS on current form, DC United.

Messi misses out again

Lionel Messi’s availability is an ongoing storyline this season, especially following the injury he picked up in the Leagues Cup group stage and subsequent uncertainty around his recovery.

The hamstring injury appeared to be affecting him at the end of his return to action in the recent MLS game against LA Galaxy, in which he came on for the second half and won the game for his side with a goal and an assist, but looked uncomfortable as he exited the field.

Head coach Javier Mascherano originally suggested his compatriot would be OK for the game against Tigres, but in the end, Messi didn’t even make the bench because of the injury.

It seems he was rushed back too soon, so Inter Miami should be aiming not to make the same mistake again, meaning he might miss the game against DC United in order to be saved for the Leagues Cup semifinal against Orlando.

Scheduling issues mount up

Following their involvement in the Club World Cup, in which they reached the knockout stages, Inter Miami have now gone far in another mid-season competition, this time the Leagues Cup.

They progressed against one of the toughest teams remaining in the Liga MX vs MLS tournament, Tigres, on Wednesday night.

Luis Suárez dispatched two penalty kicks following controversial handball decisions in Inter Miami’s favour, where in both instances the distance before the ball hit the arm was very small.

It gave the Herons a 2-1 win and saw them progress to the all-MLS semifinals next Wednesday night, where they will face fellow Floridians Orlando City for the second time this month.

Miami’s intense schedule and Messi’s injury problems will give their DC United opponents some hope despite their recent poor form.

Opposition watch: DC United

DC United sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, have conceded the most goals in the entirety of MLS, and have scored the fewest.

Despite this, striker Christian Benteke is always a threat. In the previous two seasons in MLS, he has been in the top three for expected goals and won the league’s Golden Boot in 2024, scoring two more than Messi and Suárez.

Even his output has dipped this season, though, as DC United struggle to create chances. They have the second-lowest team xG in the league, having been sixth in their conference for this stat last year, and are in the bottom five in MLS for the number of big chances created.

Prediction

Given the quick turnaround following their Leagues Cup game and the uncertainty around Messi, the opposition should fancy their chances, especially on home turf, but DC United inspire little confidence, and even a tired, depleted Inter Miami should have too much for them.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.