After suffering their worst loss of the season by falling 3-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, aims to refocus his team as they prepare for an MLS clash. Emotions are high after that loss, but the season is ongoing for the Herons.
They have upcoming participation in both the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup, so regaining their form in the MLS and activating Luis Suarez’s performance will be critical. After two consecutive losses, Miami needs to find a way to overcome the New York Red Bulls on their home turf.
How to Watch the Match
- Date: Saturday, May 3
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Live Stream: MLS Season Pass
- Odds: Inter Miami -170; Draw +320; New York Red Bulls +425
Last Meeting
The teams last faced each other nearly a year ago, with Messi playing a pivotal role in Miami’s 6-2 victory, scoring one goal and providing five assists after trailing 1-0 at halftime. This time, Suarez is looking to break a nine-game scoreless streak.
Coaches’ Insights
Mascherano highlighted the dependency on players like Messi in their attacking strategy and stressed the need for teammates to help relieve some of that pressure. Last year, players like Leonardo Campana and Robert Taylor were instrumental, but no one has emerged yet this season to fulfill those roles effectively.
Predicted Lineups
- Inter Miami: Oscar Ustari, Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Gonzalo Lujan, Marcelo Weigandt, Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez
- New York Red Bulls: Carlos Miguel, Omar Valencia, Noah Eile, Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan, Peter Stroud, Filipe Carballo, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg, Wikelman Carmona, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Player to Watch
Luis Suarez: After a fantastic season last year where he scored 21 goals and assisted nine, he currently has only one goal and five assists in the league. With age and injury concerns, his scoring drought is becoming a pressing issue as both he and Miami seek immediate results.
Storyline to Follow
Is Miami’s recent slump a mere blip, or are they in trouble? After the heavy loss to Vancouver, the team must prove their resolve against the Red Bulls, as there is no distraction to draw their attention away from this match. They’re presently fifth in the Eastern Conference and need to perform better to meet expectations.
Prediction: Given the Red Bulls’ defensive strength but offensive struggles, Miami is likely to clinch a narrow win, potentially 1-0, leveraging Messi’s capability to score when needed.
