Lionel Messi is expected to start as Inter Miami welcome San Diego FC to Nu Stadium on Sunday. Manager Cristian “Kily” González has a fully fit squad at his disposal with no new injury concerns ahead of kickoff.
The match carries significant playoff implications for both clubs. Miami enter the contest second in the Eastern Conference with 45 points, but they arrive on the back of a three-match winless streak in league play—draws against Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, and Nashville SC—prior to the international break.
However, that slump has been tempered by a morale-boosting victory over Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup final, which ended their winless run and could provide momentum heading into Sunday’s fixture.
San Diego FC, by contrast, are in poor form. The Western Conference side sit ninth with 30 points and are mired in a three-game losing streak, most recently suffering a heavy 5-0 home defeat to the Philadelphia Union.
Miami still possess one of the league’s most potent attacks, spearheaded by Messi’s league-leading 32 goal contributions (19 goals, 13 assists) this season. San Diego will look to Anders Dreyer, their top scorer with nine goals, to threaten the Miami defense.
Inter Miami projected lineup
González will again be without Mateo Silvetti and Tadeo Allende, both sidelined for the remainder of the season following surgeries on a shoulder and knee, respectively.
Inter Miami projected starting XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcón, Fricio Caicedo; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Matias Galarza; Lionel Messi, Germán Berterame, Luis Suárez.
San Diego FC projected lineup
San Diego manager Mikey Varas will be without Oscar Verhoeven due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards, while Gabriel Pirani, Alex Mighten, and Marcus Ingvartsen are doubtful with lower-body injuries. Goalkeeper CJ dos Santos returns from suspension to reclaim his starting spot, sending Duran Ferree back to the bench.
San Diego FC projected starting XI: CJ dos Santos; Kalen Sargeant, Ian Murphy, Manny Duah, Onni Valakari; Jasper Löffelsend, Jack Skahan, Aaron Herrera; Elías Achouri, Marcus Ingvartsen, Anders Dreyer.
