Resuming their MLS campaign after a sobering trip to Vancouver, Inter Miami return to Chase Stadium on Sunday with a mission to protect their unbeaten domestic record, as they take on a confident FC Dallas side in this rescheduled fixture.
Originally slated for late April, this clash was postponed due to Miami’s involvement in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final, a competition that now hangs precariously after their 2-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg earlier this week. Goals from Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter handed the Herons their first taste of adversity in continental competition, and left Javier Mascherano’s men with work to do in the upcoming return leg.
Back in MLS action, however, Miami remain the league’s only side yet to taste defeat, having accumulated five wins and three draws from their opening eight matches. Their latest league outing ended in a gritty 1-0 victory away at Columbus Crew, where Benjamin Cremaschi’s clinical first-half strike proved decisive.
While Miami have been resilient at home, their form has not been entirely imperious. Two wins and two draws from four matches at Chase Stadium suggest vulnerability, and it’s worth noting that Dallas handed them a 1-0 defeat at this very venue during the 2023 season—a memory Mascherano will surely have highlighted to his squad during preparations.
Complicating matters is Miami’s congested fixture list, with the decisive second leg against Vancouver looming large. Squad rotation is inevitable, and it remains to be seen how deep Mascherano can dip into his bench without losing cohesion and intensity, especially given the thin margins they’ve operated within lately.
FC Dallas, for their part, arrive in South Florida with significant momentum on the road. Last week’s hard-fought 0-0 draw at Minnesota United extended their unbeaten away streak to five matches, underscoring their growing reputation as one of the league’s most stubborn travellers. Collecting nine points from a possible 15 in hostile environments, a tally unmatched in the Western Conference and among the best in MLS, Dallas are building a case as dangerous visitors.
Eric Quill’s side have showcased tactical discipline and opportunism on the road, registering narrow victories over Houston Dynamo and Real Salt Lake, while managing draws against Atlanta, Colorado, and Minnesota. Defensive solidity has been the backbone of their travelling success, with Dallas conceding just five goals across these five away fixtures.
However, questions linger over their attacking sharpness. Despite a decent away record, goals have been hard to come by, and Miami’s defensive line, marshalled by experienced campaigners, could prove a significant obstacle.
Dallas’ task will also be complicated by Miami’s urgency to deliver a statement performance following the Vancouver setback. If Miami can muster the energy and focus needed to manage both competitions, their firepower, led by the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, should they feature, might prove too much for Quill’s structured but occasionally limited outfit. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Inter Miami made significant moves during the MLS Primary Transfer Window, most notably securing the signing of Uruguayan centre-back Maximiliano Falcon to bolster their defensive ranks. However, they also bid farewell to Finnish winger Robert Taylor, who surprisingly moved to Austin FC on deadline day.
With a crucial second leg against Vancouver Whitecaps looming in the Concacaf Champions Cup, manager Javier Mascherano is expected to rotate his squad heavily for this weekend’s league fixture.
On the injury front, Inter Miami will be without several key squad members. David Ruiz continues his recovery from a hamstring issue, while Baltasar Rodriguez is sidelined with a muscular problem. Defender Ryan Sailor and influential midfielder Federico Redondo are also unavailable, further stretching Mascherano’s options as he looks to keep his side competitive on two fronts.
Given these absences and the need for careful squad management, it is likely that Miami will field a blend of regular starters and backup options to preserve freshness for the upcoming midweek battle.
In terms of the expected formation, Inter Miami could line up in a 4-4-2 setup. Oscar Ustari is set to start between the posts. The back four may consist of Marcelo Weigandt at right-back, Tomas Aviles and Maximiliano Falcon at cente-back, with Jordi Alba offering his experience and attacking thrust from the left-back position.
In midfield, Benjamin Cremaschi and Sergio Busquets are expected to anchor the central areas, while Telasco Segovia and Fafa Picault could provide width and creativity from the flanks. Leading the line, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are tipped to spearhead the attack, though Mascherano may manage their minutes carefully with an eye on preserving them for the crucial Champions Cup second leg.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Ustari; Weigandt, Aviles, Falcon, Alba; Cremaschi, Busquets, Picault, Segovia; Messi, Suarez
Dallas FC have been hit by a series of injury setbacks at a critical juncture of their MLS campaign. Leading forward Petar Musa, who has been in excellent form with six goal involvements across eight games, was forced to miss their last outing due to an ankle injury. His availability for the clash against Inter Miami remains in serious doubt, leaving a significant void in attack that will be difficult for Eric Quill’s side to fill.
If Petar Musa fails to recover in time, he will join an already extensive injury list. Key winger Leo Chu remains sidelined, along with dependable defender Marco Farfan. Right-back Geovane Jesus, experienced midfielder Sebastian Lletget, and promising youngster Enzo Newman are also unavailable due to various injuries.
This situation greatly limits Quill’s ability to rotate or inject fresh legs into the squad, forcing him to rely heavily on second-string options. Despite these setbacks, Dallas FC are expected to stick with their 4-3-1-2 formation, which has provided a solid framework during their unbeaten run away from home.
Maarten Paes is set to retain his spot in goal. The back four should consist of defender Shaq Moore at right-back, Lalas Abubakar and Osaze Urhoghide forming the central pairing, and Nolan Norris likely stepping in at left-back.
In midfield, Luciano Acosta could drop into a deeper role alongside Ramiro and Show to provide energy and control. Young attacking midfielder Alejandro Urzua is expected to slot into the number ten position just behind the strikers.
Up front, without Musa, the attacking responsibility will likely fall on Anderson Julio and in-form forward Logan Farrington, who will aim to challenge Miami’s backline with their movement and physicality.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Paes; Moore, Abubakar, Urhoghide, Norris; Acosta, Ramiro, Show; Urzua; Julio, Farrington
The Herons have yet to lose a league match in 2025, recording five wins and three draws in their first eight MLS outings.
Eric Quill’s side has built an impressive record on the road, winning two and drawing three of their last five away games – the best away run in the Western Conference.
Lionel Messi has either scored or assisted in six of Inter Miami’s last seven home games across all competitions, underlining his central role in their attacking play at Chase Stadium.
Despite their unbeaten away run, Dallas have scored more than one goal just once in their last five road matches, highlighting a more conservative, defensively resilient style away from home
Dallas defeated Inter Miami 1-0 when they last met at Chase Stadium in 2023, making them one of the few MLS sides to claim a win at Inter Miami’s home ground.
Whenever Lionel Messi steps onto the field, the spotlight inevitably follows. Even at 37 years of age, Messi remains one of the most influential figures in world football and continues to dictate games with his vision, technical brilliance, and extraordinary understanding of space.
In Major League Soccer, the Argentine icon has seamlessly adapted to the different rhythm and physicality of the league, elevating Inter Miami to new heights. His on-ball control, ability to operate between the lines, and clinical decision-making in the final third remain unparalleled. Whether it is threading a defence-splitting pass, conjuring a moment of magic from a free-kick, or finishing off a slick team move, Messi offers a threat unlike any other.
Heading into the match against FC Dallas, Messi’s influence will be crucial, especially with Inter Miami needing a response after their Champions Cup setback in Vancouver. With fatigue possibly prompting Javier Mascherano to rest some starters, Messi’s leadership and ability to turn a game on its head will be even more vital.
If the Herons are to maintain their unbeaten league record and keep the pressure on their rivals at the top of the MLS standings, Lionel Messi will almost certainly have a central role to play once again.
Given Inter Miami’s imperatives to maintain league momentum and atone for their midweek disappointment, expect a strong response. Dallas FC’s road resilience will make this a tricky encounter, but if Miami rotate intelligently and play with their usual attacking verve, they should edge this contest.
