Lionel Messi has dominated some of soccer’s most elite leagues and is ready to take on Major League Soccer.
He has ignited Inter Miami CF in his short time with the team, appearing in non-league play and leading the club to the Leagues Cup title earlier this month. The trophy is Inter Miami’s first championship since David Beckham established the team in 2020. The Argentinian superstar scored 10 goals in the tournament and won the best player award.
On Saturday, Inter Miami is set to take on the New York Red Bulls in their first MLS game since Messi joined the club. He inked his deal in July after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. The MLS team beat out the Saudi Pro League and Messi’s former side, FC Barcelona.
HOW TO WATCH:Lionel Messi, Inter Miami face New York Red Bulls in MLS game
Messi might not play in the match as head coach Tata Martino seeks to manage his star player’s energy.
Inter Miami is in the bottom of the MLS standings and this is their first step toward climbing into a playoff spot.
Halftime: Inter Miami 1, New York Red Bulls 0
Diego Gómez’s goal is the difference on the scoreboard at halftime as Inter Miami leads 1-0 as both teams head into the locker room.
Inter Miami had 55% of possession in the first half, with three shots. The New York Red Bulls have five shots, none of which were on goal.
VAR takes away NY Red Bulls penalty
It looked like New York would get its chance to tie it up after a handball was called on David Ruíz in the box. The play went to VAR review, which saw the ball hit his shoulder. The penalty shot was taken away, ending the chance to get on the board for the Red Bulls.
Diego Gómez scores, Inter Miami takes the lead
After the Red Bulls missed an easy shot, Inter Miami didn’t miss their opportunity.
After a deflected free kick, Noah Allen delivered a perfect cross in the middle of the box for Diego Gómez, who had a clear shot on goal and hit the back of the bottom right net to take the lead in the 37th minute.
It was almost a second goal not too long after getting on the scoreboard, as Leonardo Campana went for an acrobatic left-footed shot in the box in the 41st minute, but was saved by goalie Carlos Coronel.
Teams trade yellow cards
Each team drew a foul early on in the match, as the Red Bulls’ Cameron Harper was handed a yellow for a foul that resulted in a Inter Miami set piece. In the 20th minute, Tomás Avilés was given a yellow card for a hard foul. New York was able to get a set piece just outside the box, but it went straight into the Miami wall.
Inter Miami taking early control of possession
More than 12 minutes into the match and Inter Miami has had the majority of the possession. No shot for either squad yet, but Jordi Alba nearly got one off inside the box.
Kickoff
The action is underway from Red Bull Arena!
Is Messi starting?
The starting XI does not feature Messi, as the Argentinian will start Saturday’s match on the bench. He could come in as a substitute later in the match.
Inter Miami starting XI
Martino will go with a 5-4-1 formation for Saturday’s match:
- Goalkeeper: Drake Callender
- Robert Taylor
- Tomas Aviles
- Kamal Miller
- Noah Allen
- Jordi Alba
- Diego Gomez
- Dixon Arroyo
- david ruiz
- Facundo Farias
- Leonardo Campana
New York Red Bulls starting XI
Manager Troy Lesesne will go with a 4-5-1 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Carlos Coronel
- John Tolkin
- Sean Nealis
- Andres Reyes
- Cameron Harper
- luquinhas
- Dru Yearwood
- Daniel Edelman
- Frankie Amaya
- Omir Fernandez
- Elias Manoel
Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls announcers
Apple TV will have its lead announcing crew on the call, with Jake Zivin serving as play-by-play announcer with Taylor Twellman as lead analyst. Katie Witham will be the sideline reporter.
How to watch Messi, Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls tonight
The match between Inter Miami and the New York Red Bulls starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
The Inter Miami-New York Red Bulls game can be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Is Messi playing vs. New York Red Bulls?
Inter Miami CF head coach Tata Martino has not given an answer as to if Lionel Messi will play in Saturday’s game against the New York Red Bulls.
“Leo and many other players are reaching an important physical limit and from this point forward, we will have to evaluate how we approach these next three games,” he said, per the Miami Herald.
Messi, who was visibly fatigued during the U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday, did travel with the team to face New York. Martino said he would have a better idea on Messi’s availability after Friday’s training session.
Inter Miami has played four games — three road matches — in 12 days. Their upcoming schedule features two cross-country trips, from New York back to Miami and then to Los Angeles to face LAFC.
Watch: Messi arrives at Red Bull Arena
Inter Miami teases Messi will play
There’s a ton of speculation as to whether Messi will play Saturday, but his club’s social media account teased an appearance with a picture of his kit hanging in the locker room.
MLS standings
Despite the recent success Inter Miami has had with Messi, the club has yet to play a MLS regular season game with him on the roster. The team sits in last place in MLS with 18 points this season and a record of 5-14-3. They’ll be taking on a New York Red Bulls team that sits in the 11th place in the Eastern Conference with 29 points with a record of 7-9-8.
Watch Messi in Times Square
New York City is fully embracing “Messimania.”
With Messi coming to the tri-state area, the match between Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls will be broadcasted in Times Square, giving tourists and residents a chance to watch Messi play in his first MLS regular season game. The game will be broadcasted across a giant screen outside of the Marriott Marquis.
Soccer GOAT meets tennis GOAT
Two sports legends are in New York City this weekend, and they had a chance to catch up.
Messi and tennis star Novak Djokovic smiled for a photo together, as the tennis star is in New York for the US Openwhich is set to begin Monday.
“”Crack! Great pleasure to see you and talk to you. As always, I wish good luck and health to you and your family,” Djokovic said on Instagram.
