WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: INTER MESSI MIAMI
Welcome back to What You Need To Know, a match preview for Austin FC fans to check in on their next opponent.
Austin FC midfielder Facundo Torres. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodriguez
Opponent: Inter Miami
Kick Off time: 6:39 PM US Central Time
Location: Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park, Miami, Florida
History vs. Austin FC:
Austin FC is 1-1-0 against Inter Miami all-time, including a 5-1 win in 2022 and a 1-1 draw in Fort Lauderdale in 2023.
Recent Matches:
Inter Miami have not lost since their opener against LAFC, where they lost 3-0. They were eliminated by Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup due to away goals. They currently sit in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.
Players to Watch:
Lionel Messi, The 38 year old Argentinian, has done it all on a soccer pitch, and even at his age, his presence, touch, and vision are still unparalleled in the sport. The thing to watch is how he controls time and space around him with quick and decisive moves, making more athletic and faster players look slow around him. Ticket prices rise wherever he goes, but as he’s aged, his minutes and appearances have ticked down. When his club opens a brand new stadium, “The House Messi Built,” he will be there to play and give his full focus.
Dayne St. Clair, the former Minnesota United keeper, came to Inter Miami this offseason as a free agent. St. Clair has grown into being one of the best keepers in MLS, winning MLS keeper of the year in 2025, and is currently competing with Maxime Crepeau of Orlando City to start for the Canadian Men’s National Team in the upcoming World Cup.
Germán Berterame, the 27-year-old Mexican striker, came to Inter Miami this offseason to replace Luis Suarez as Miami’s primary striker option. Unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out for either side so far, with him still not getting on the score sheet. He was dropped for their last match against NYCFC by coach Javier Mascherano, so pay attention to whether he or Tadeo Allende starts up front.
Keys to the Match:
Opening up this Saturday, Austin FC gets to be the visitors for Miami, opening up their new stadium. This is the first MLS stadium to open since Energizer Park opened in St Louis before the 2023 season. As we got to experience ourselves, opening up a new stadium is a lifetime memory to share as a huge moment for the club. Miami now gets to play in their actual city in a new 26,700-seat stadium as opposed to playing in Fort Lauderdale at the smaller Chase Stadium. The Stadium construction has had a lot of hand-wringing, as this was how it looked a mere three months ago, and the grass was laid only 10 days ago, but it will be ready for the opening match.
Brother, can you spare a goal? Austin FC scored a beautiful goal against LAFC, where Facundo Torres connected with Myrto Uzuni on a corner kick straight from the training ground…unfortunately, it was offside.
Austin FC forward Myrto Uzuni. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodriguez.
Austin has gone 375 minutes without scoring a goal in open play this season and has yet to score a goal with their feet (something I am going to keep mentioning until it happens). Brandon Vazquez, Owen Wolff, and Dani Pereira will still be out but returning soon, per Nico Estevez’s press conference on Thursday, where he also mentioned having an attacking mentality. Austin needs to try to have the ball more like they did against LAFC (62% possession) to try to frustrate Miami and also make them work defensively. Their three results this season (Draws against Minnesota United and LAFC, a win against DC United) featured the team having more possession. For a team that was possession-averse last season, this is something to keep in mind when going against a side that LOVES possession (their lowest % was 54 against NYCFC on 3/22).
Messi Centric As mentioned above, Lionel Messi is the centerpiece of this Inter Miami team (as he should be). Something you’ll notice in watching them is just how Messi-centric they are. Their entire playing style revolves around getting him the ball and having runners around him, which works, but in a weird way it also makes them easier to defend because the accompanying attackers don’t get wide to try and get a cross in, they’re nearby to try and benefit goal scoring chances (also makes it easier for them to cover ground as Messi is not required to run or move outside of his preferred spot). They’ll crowd numbers around the top of the box to utilize Leo’s passing ability, so Austin can respond by adding an extra CB with two holding midfielders to attempt to use numbers to defend.
Prediction: Austin FC: 0 Inter Miami: 3
WRITTEN BY SCOTT SPECHT
