After suffering their most significant defeat of the season, crashing out of the Concacaf Champions Cup following a 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, Javier Mascherano needs to refocus his Inter Miami squad as they return to MLS action. While an elimination in arguably the biggest match in Miami`s history so far is tough emotionally, the season is far from over.
Inter Miami will also be participating in the Club World Cup this summer and the Leagues Cup. Therefore, regaining their MLS form and seeing Luis Suarez return to scoring ways is crucial. With two consecutive losses in all competitions already, things could quickly deteriorate if the Herons cannot overcome the Red Bulls at home.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, May 3
- Time: 7:30 p.m. 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
These teams last faced off almost exactly a year ago, in a memorable match. The New York Red Bulls held a narrow one-goal lead at halftime thanks to Dante Vanzier. However, Lionel Messi completely took over in the second half, contributing a goal and five assists to lead Miami to a decisive 6-2 victory. Luis Suarez also netted a hat-trick in that game. That previous success could potentially boost confidence for Suarez, who is currently enduring a nine-game scoreless streak.
Coach Commentary
For Miami to succeed, other players need to step up in attack alongside Messi, a point recognized by Javier Mascherano. In his pre-match comments, he discussed the team`s reliance on Messi, stating it`s impossible not to depend on a player of his caliber. He added that while the team sometimes supports him more effectively than others, Messi is also a willing passer. This means more Miami players need to position themselves effectively to utilize his distribution.
Mascherano commented, “In other words, when you have a player like Messi, you`re clearly going to develop a dependency on him. It`s impossible not to depend on him. It`s clear that there are days when the team perhaps helps him more and other days when it helps him less.”
While the team naturally looks to Messi, and that`s understandable, utilizing his passing requires teammates to make runs into dangerous areas. Inter Miami remains in a solid position in the league standings, but with high expectations surrounding the squad, they need to regain their winning form sooner rather than later.
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, Inter Miami: Last season, Suarez was a leading contender for the Golden Boot, finishing with 21 goals and nine assists in league play. This season, he has only one goal and five assists in the league so far. While his creativity and assists have been valuable, particularly when Tadeo Allende was scoring regularly early in the season, his goal-scoring has diminished, similar to the team`s form. At 38 years old and with a history of chronic knee issues, a nine-match scoreless run is beginning to raise concerns. A couple of goals could quickly end this slump, but both he and Inter Miami desperately need them soon.
Storyline to Watch
Is this a temporary dip or a prolonged slump for the Herons? Following the significant loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, it`s crucial for Miami to demonstrate that their recent form is not a developing trend. Their previous MLS defeat to FC Dallas could perhaps be excused as it fell between their crucial Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures. However, with the Red Bulls match, there are no upcoming distractions, demanding full focus on this game. Miami has dropped to fifth place in the Eastern Conference during this period. Even winning their game in hand would only lift them to second, which falls short of the high expectations for a team expected to win everything in their path.
Prediction
Although the Red Bulls possess a strong defense this season, their primary weakness lies in their lack of goals, which is likely to cost them here. While Inter Miami has shown defensive frailties, these have primarily been against teams with significant attacking firepower that the Red Bulls lack. Even if only Messi scores, one goal should be sufficient for Miami to secure a home victory.
Prediction: Inter Miami 1, New York Red Bulls 0
