MLS
Inter Miami team news for Philadelphia Union clash
Lionel Messi is back in the matchday squad but will Tata Martino choose to field the Argentine from the start at Chase Stadium?
Finally, Lionel Messi is set to return to the matchday squad for Inter Miami as they close in on the Supporters’ Shield for the first time in team history.
The Argentine’s most recent appearance for Miami came on June 1, scoring in a 3-3 draw with St. Louis City. Since then Messi has been absent, first away at the Copa América and then sidelined with an injury sustained in the final. But now, three and a half months on, Messi is back in contention for Tata Martino.
The problem? Inter Miami have actually been very good without Messi. Since his departure, Miami have won ten out of 13 games in all competitions and are now on track to break the MLS single-season point record.
With Messi added to the likes of Luis Suárez, Robert Taylor, Julian Gressel and Diego Gomez in the attacking positions, who will start against Philadelphia Union?
Predicted Inter Miami team to face Philadelphia Union
Inter Miami’s two MLS outings since the Leagues Cup break have served to show the strength in depth in this squad. Against FC Cincinnati, the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions, they were able to withstands playing 50 minutes with ten men after Tomas Aviles was dismissed in the first half.
They followed that up with a confident victory over Chicago Fire, winning 4-1 away from home with two more goals from Luis Suárez. The 37-year-old has now scored 16 goals in 16 MLS starts.
With such firepower at their disposal it seems likely that Lionel Messi will start on the bench in his first game back for Inter Miami. Having not played in two months the veteran superstar will undoubtedly be lacking a bit of match fitness and is unlikely to be risked from the start.
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“Yes, he is fine,” head coach Martino said of Messi on Friday. “He trained [Thursday], he is in the plans for the game [on Saturday]. Luckily, the illness lasted only one day and he seems back to normal. After training we will figure out the strategy for him, but he is available. He has been training quite well and we always felt that Philadelphia was the game to return to.”
Martino continued: “To get back the best player in the world to our team, which was already on a good run, we are all very happy with this situation.”