Star-Studded Lineup Shows Inter Miami Means Business in MLS Return
Inter Miami demonstrated their serious intent for the MLS season revival by fielding a powerhouse starting XI against CF Montreal on Saturday night. The lineup featured luminaries Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, all fresh from their FIFA Club World Cup Round-of-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Minor adjustments included Tomas Aviles stepping in for the injured Noah Allen, and Benja Cremaschi replacing Fede Redondo in the midfield.
A Costly Early Error and Its Impact
Despite the star power, Lionel Messi made a rare early mistake just two minutes into the game, passing back directly to Montreal’s Prince Owusu. Owusu capitalized on the error with a straightforward left-footed goal from the center box, putting Montreal ahead.
Coach Mascherano’s Strategy Amid a Grueling Schedule
With a demanding schedule ahead—seven games in 25 days, including four road matches in the next five outings—Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano plans to rotate the roster to manage player fatigue. However, for this game, he trusted his core starters to secure momentum.
Mascherano said, ‘Clearly, we have a lot of games coming up, plus all the ones we have already played, so we will need everyone to participate. We’ll see how we can manage some roster changes without feeling it too much because I don’t like to change six or seven players from one match to the other.’
Motivation After Club World Cup Success
Although CF Montreal sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Inter Miami squad remained highly motivated to build on their recent Club World Cup performances, where they remained unbeaten against top teams like Al Ahly, Porto, and Palmeiras. Their outlook is optimistic toward contending for the MLS Cup this season.
Current Standings and Upcoming Challenges
Inter Miami dropped from third to seventh place during their Club World Cup hiatus and trails first-place Philadelphia Union by 11 points, with fewer matches played than their rivals. To catch up, they face a packed July schedule facing multiple playoff contenders on the road and at home.
Player Remarks and Team Goals
Coach Mascherano emphasized the club’s ambition: ‘Our motivation now is to compete in our league, and to achieve something this club has been aiming for year after year.’ Forward Telasco Segovia added, ‘The level of competition in the Club World Cup was very high and we benefited from that because it let us know that if we play like we did against Porto and Palmeiras, we can win the league.’
How to Watch the Match
The Montreal vs Inter Miami MLS 2025 match took place at Stade Saputo, Montreal. Fans in India could stream the game live via Apple TV with a subscription, as there was no official TV broadcast. The match’s start time was 5:00 AM IST.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Did Lionel Messi play in this MLS match against Montreal?
A: Yes, Messi started and played, included in the key starting lineup. - Q: Why was Inter Miami’s schedule so congested?
A: Their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup created a backlog of MLS matches to be played in a shorter timeframe.
Looking Ahead
What does the future hold for Inter Miami in the MLS season? As they juggle an intense match schedule and aim for the playoffs, the club’s ability to manage player fitness and capitalize on their recent international experience will be crucial elements to watch. Fans can expect thrilling soccer and some strategic roster decisions as Inter Miami pursues MLS glory.
