Inter Miami return to MLS action this weekend against FC Dallas. It’s a home game sandwiched between two big continental matches for Lionel Messi and co., and getting the balance right between rotation and momentum will be key.
By James Nalton
Messi remains MLS’s best
Inter Miami have not set the league alight this season, and Messi has not stood out as obviously as he did at times last year.
Despite this, Messi remains the biggest attraction in the league, is undoubtedly still MLS’s best player, and Inter Miami are still the best team in the Eastern Conference on points per game.
Being the best player in the league and being the best performer in the league are not always the same thing, and Messi will probably need to do more than he has been doing if he’s to retain his status as the league’s MVP for a second year running.
At this stage of the regular season, he’s happy to operate in cruise control, and he’ll be hoping that’s enough to help his Miami team maintain their record as the only unbeaten team in MLS this year.
That’s been as much thanks to their defensive record as it has been down to Messi, as head coach Javier Mascherano has arranged a team that boasts the joint-fewest goals conceded this season.
Canadian continental hangover
Inter Miami come into this game on the back of a high-profile defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday.
Messi’s team have reached the semifinals of the region’s version of the Champions League/Copa Libertadores, but were defeated 2-0 in the first leg by an increasingly impressive Vancouver Whitecaps team on Canada’s west coast.
A crowd of 53,837 turned up in Vancouver to watch the Whitecaps (an MLS-era record for the club) and no doubt had an eye on watching Messi, too.
They were treated to another top performance from the home team, typical of their season so far.
For Miami, as one of the favourites to win the tournament, it was a blow, and they’ll be looking to turn things around in the second leg, though it won’t be easy.
Preparation for that begins with this game against FC Dallas.
Dallas Stars
The Texas team swooped for one of the best players in the league, and indeed in MLS history, when they signed Luciano Acosta from FC Cincinnati during the off-season.
The Argentinian feels like an MLS veteran at this stage, having also played for DC United, but is still only 30 years old.
It promises to be a battle of the Argentine No. 10s should he and Messi take to the field.
Inter Miami will be relieved if they don’t have to contend with Croatian striker Petar Musa, who was Dallas’ top scorer last season with 16 and already had three goals and three assists in eight games in 2025 before picking up an ankle injury.
Prediction
FC Dallas have players capable of troubling the Miami defence, and will be looking to catch their opponents off guard as they prepare for a big game in the Champions Cup. It could well be another draw for Miami as they nevertheless retain their unbeaten record.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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