MLS
Inter Miami’s possible line-up vs Orlando City in MLS: no Messi, Alba or Busquets
Inter Miami must do without a key trio of players when they face Orlando City at Exploria Stadium in MLS on Sunday.
Orlando City - Inter Miami, live online
With Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba already ruled out of Inter Miami’s all-Florida clash with Orlando City, the indications are that Sergio Busquets will also sit out this weekend’s MLS match-up.
Messi, Alba brought off early in midweek
Speaking on Wednesday after Miami’s 4-0 MLS win over Toronto FC, in which Messi and Alba were both substituted in the first half, head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino told reporters there was “no chance” of the pair being fit to face Orlando.
“Leo is struggling with an old scar tissue problem and Jordi has muscular fatigue,” Martino added in a press conference on Friday.
And it is now expected that Busquets, 35, will be rested on Sunday, with one eye on Wednesday’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.
Miami making late MLS playoff dash
The absence of their star trio is a blow for Miami, as the team makes a desperate, late-season push to qualify for the playoffs.
The Herons currently lie 14th in the MLS Eastern Conference, five points off the wild card places. At Exploria Stadium, Martino’s men will be up against a side that sits second in the East and has won its last four MLS home games.
How will Inter Miami line up in Orlando?
We’re likely to see three of Dixon Arroyo, David Ruiz, Benjamín Cremaschi and Victor Ulloa in the midfield. In defence, Noah Allen is in line to replace Alba on the left, while Kamal Miller is expected to drop to the bench in Orlando. Up front, Leonardo Campana is in contention to come in.
There are question marks over the formation Miami will use, with 4-3-3 and 5-3-2 both possibilities.
Inter Miami’s predicted line-up vs Orlando City:
- Goalkeeper: Drake Callender
- Defenders: Robert Taylor, Tomás Avilés, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Christopher McVey, Noah Allen
- Midfielders: David Ruiz, Dixon Arroyo, Benjamín Cremaschi
- Forwards: Leonardo Campana, Facundo Farías
Orlando and Inter Miami’s recent meetings
The most recent match-up between the two teams came in the Leagues Cup in August, when Inter Miami earned a 3-1 last-32 victory over the Lions at DRV PNK Stadium. The teams’ last meeting in MLS, on the other hand, brought a 3-1 victory for Orlando in May.
Orlando City vs Inter Miami: key match info
Orlando City host Inter Miami at Exploria Stadium today, Sunday 24 September 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT.
You can stream the game live on AppleTV.