Wahala dey for Miami as Inter Miami CF go face New York Red Bulls for Nu Stadium dis Saturday night. The match na big one for Eastern Conference MLS, and all eye dey on Lionel Messi and him team.
Nu Stadium just open last week, and Inter Miami still dey find their first win for the new ground. Dem draw 2-2 with Austin FC for the opening match, with Messi score one header. But fans dey hungry for victory now.
For the other side, New York Red Bulls dey come with strong momentum. Dem just beat FC Cincinnati 4-2 for their last match, with goals from Julian Hall, Emil Forsberg, and Mohammed Sofo. Under new head coach Michael Bradley, dem dey play high-intensity football.
The Red Bulls dey just one point behind Inter Miami for the standings. So dis match go serious pass serious.
Messi himself dey in phenomenal form this season. The Argentine superstar don score five goals already for MLS matches. But concern dey because other players for Inter Miami no dey contribute enough goals.
Coach Javier Mascherano talk say dem need more from the squad. “We have Leo, who is a separate case,” Mascherano yarn. “Yes, we do need contributions from the rest of the squad—that much is clear.”
For team news, Inter Miami go miss Tadeo Allende because of hamstring injury. German Berterame fit get chance to play. For Red Bulls, Cameron Harper, A.J. Marcucci, and Justin Che no dey available.
The match go start by 7:30 p.m. ET. Coverage dey on Apple TV for both English and Spanish commentary. Keith Costigan and Maurice Edu go handle English side, while Ramses Sandoval and Miguel Gallardo go do Spanish.
Dis na the 13th regular season meeting between the two clubs. Head-to-head record dey tied 6-6-0. But recent history favour Inter Miami—dem don win the last three encounters, scoring 15 goals total.
Red Bulls dey look for their first road result against Miami since 2023. Dem get 3-3-0 record away against Miami.
Expected lineups show Dayne St. Clair in goal for Inter Miami, with defenders like Noah Allen and Maximiliano Falcon. Messi dey midfield with Rodrigo De Paul. For Red Bulls, Ethan Horvath dey goal, with Emil Forsberg as captain.
Coach Michael Bradley talk say him players no go get distracted by Messi’s presence. “They don’t get distracted at all,” Bradley yarn. “We have a really good group. Training has been excellent all week.”
The stadium dey ready for action. After that 2-2 draw against Austin FC, Nu Stadium dey prepare for second match. Fans dey hope say dis one go bring first victory for the new era.
Both teams don confirm their starting XIs. Inter Miami go play with St. Clair; Fray, Falcon, Silva, Reguilon; De Paul, Bright; Silvetti, Messi, Segovia; Berterame. Red Bulls go field Horvath; Dos Santos, Voloder, Nealis, Marshall-Rutty; Forsberg, Mehmeti, Donkor; Ruvalcaba, Hall, Cowell.
Kickoff dey set. The atmosphere go electric. MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who witness the stadium opening last week, talk say MLS best days still dey ahead. With Messi dey shine light on the league, dis kind match dey show how football dey grow for America.
Inter Miami dey unbeaten for their last five MLS matches. But dem need win dis one to maintain position for top four. Red Bulls dey look for three points wey go push dem up table.
The stage dey set. Nu Stadium dey wait. Messi dey ready. Red Bulls dey come with confidence. Saturday night go hot.
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