By James Nalton
An international break for Inter Miami but not for MLS
Inter Miami, along with their would-be opponent that week, New England Revolution, were spared from playing during the international break while all other MLS teams did.
This means they have played one game less than the rest of the league, but despite that are still just two points off the top of the table.
Inter Miami’s ability to keep up with the other teams while balancing games in the Concacaf Champions Cup, playing a good chunk of the season down to ten men, and the absence of Messi for several games is a good sign as they look to retain their Supporters’ Shield trophy and finish top of the overall MLS standings once again.
This weekend’s opponents will be a good test of this, as they have already threatened to be one of Miami’s challengers at the top of the table.
Philadelphia Union’s impressive start
Philadelphia Union have just entered their first season since 2014 without Jim Curtin as their head coach at the start of it.
Former St. Louis City coach Bradley Carnell took over ahead of the new campaign and has the team playing their brand of pressing football with renewed vigour.
They shot to the top of the Eastern Conference thanks to the goals of Tai Baribo and the creativity of left-back Kai Wagner, along with the team ethic instilled by Curtin and continued by Carnell.
Only Columbus Crew have won possession in the final third more than the Union, and they the highest FotMob rating in the league so far in 2025.
If Carnell’s side click, they could cause problems for Miami in and out of possession.
See Messi Play?
It’s becoming a regular section in these previews. Will Messi play?
Messi didn’t make the Argentina squad for this international break after picking up a groin injury in Inter Miami’s game against Atlanta the week before.
He’s been back in training, but not fully and has clearly been nursing the injury.
It would be a surprise to see him miss international duty and play so soon after, and there’s a chance the club are eyeing one of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal legs against LAFC for his return.
The Champions Cup balancing act
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has done well to balance his squad and manage early season progress in two competitions.
However, Concacaf’s Champions League and Copa Libertadores equivalent, the Champions Cup, has now reached the quarterfinals stage, where Inter Miami will face one of the strongest continental teams in MLS, Los Angeles FC.
LAFC have qualified for the Champions Cup twice in the last five seasons and finished as runners-up on both occasions.
It will be a big test for Mascherano’s team, and if they are prioritising continental progress early in the season, then this could affect their lineup for the game against Philadelphia.
Prediction
Union have won all three of their road games this season, and if Tai Baribo continues his goal-scoring form, they could cause an upset and head back to Pennsylvania with a memorable 2-1 victory.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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