Lionel Messi and Inter Miami travel to champions Los Angeles in the MLS. Although they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Charlotte FC on Saturday. LA is still holding to second place in the Western Conference. In contrast, the Herons are 10 points outside of a playoff spot in the East but are now on a 10-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Preview (Los Angeles FC vs. Inter Miami)
With only three points separating them from Real Salt Lake in sixth place, the Black and Gold enter this weekend in a tight competition for second place in their conference, with LAFC presently ahead of the Seattle Sounders on goal differential. Los Angeles has won four straight games played there in all competitions. They outscored their opponents by a ratio of 18-1 during that span, scoring three or more goals each time. This team’s attacking prowess has been lethal at BMO Stadium lately. Since Steve Cherundolo took over, they have used a deep-lying transitional system that has been very successful at home.
Since the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion moved to Fort Lauderdale, the Lionel Messi effect has significantly impacted Inter Miami’s fortunes, with this team trending up from a bottom feeder to a cup contender. The Herons’ chances of winning the MLS Cup may be slim right now because they are 10 points out of the Eastern Conference playoff position, but Miami has already won a trophy since Messi joined the team and is still in the running for another one. The team won the Leagues Cup in August and advanced to the US Open Cup final.
Miami has a game in hand over every club in the Eastern Conference, and they may need to win out to go beyond that playoff line since they still have 10 games to play and five teams to catch. With Messi on board, this squad has been a challenge in the offensive third under Tata Martino. They have scored multiple goals in eight of their previous 10 games across all competitions. However, the tactician who led Mexico to a spot in the 2022 World Cup has not seen his team strong at home. Miami failed to score in two of their past three MLS games.
Team News
Due to soreness in his lower extremities, Jesus Murillo is questionable for the Black and Gold this weekend. Diego Rosales missed their previous match due to a similar issue. Diego Palacios has been temporarily suspended from the team due to personal matters. Last weekend, Cristian Olivera made his second consecutive appearance in the Black and Gold. Mario Gonzalez made his second consecutive regular-season start, scoring his first career MLS goal. The last time out, when Mateusz Bogusz, Vela, Ryan Hollingshead, and Olivera each scored for the Colorado Rapids in a 4-0 victory, John McCarthy stopped all four of their attempts. He now has three clean sheets in his last four competitive games played at BMO Stadium.
Due to ACL sprains, the Herons were without Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, and Ian Fray on Wednesday. Gregore is still rehabilitating from a foot ailment. On Wednesday, Messi failed to score or provide an assist in a meaningful game for the first time in 88 days. Drake Callender came through when it mattered most. He recorded his second straight MLS shutout by denying two Nashville attempts. Midweek saw Jordi Alba earn his second appearance in this competition. Sergio Busquets makes his first career MLS start. Leonardo Campana made his first start since his team won the Leagues Cup.
In many statistical criteria, Los Angeles may appear to be ahead of Inter Miami. The Herons have one asset that no other MLS team can claim: Lionel Messi. We anticipate that Messi and his former Barcelona teammates (Busquets and Alba), who joined this team from Paris Saint-Germain, will make all the difference for Miami on Sunday. His presence has nearly single-handedly helped Miami’s fortunes turn around this season.
Los Angeles FC 2 – 3 Inter Miami
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