Inter Miami may be stealing the headlines in the MLS recently, but they face a stern test when they travel across the country to the BMO Stadium to test their mettle with LAFC.
Key Takeaways
· Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has confirmed that his biggest star, Lionel Messi will play against LAFC
· LAFC are the previous champions of the MLS Western Conference
· Inter Miami are on a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions
With their star-studded team and stellar recent form Inter will be full of confidence going into this match and last years champions could be considered underdogs for this match.
Los Angeles FC Form
The Californian club are clinging on to second position in their conference as they continue their march to defend their MLS title with 10 games to go. Before a 2-1 defeat to Charlotte last week, they won back-to-back games and have won three, lost two and drawn one from their previous 6 games in the MLS, decent form but they will feel the need to kick on if they are to have a successful title defence.
Inter Miami Form
The Herons have seen their startling form come to a halt of late, although alarm bells won’t be ringing just yet. Their form in the MLS has been relatively uneventful, with their last 3 games in the competition ending in draws, they sit 10 points adrift of the playoff line at the moment, but they do have a game in hand on every other side in their conference.
Head-to-Head
In their most recent fixtures, it doesn’t look good for Inter Miami, they have lost both of their last encounters with LAFC, and they didn’t manage to find the back of the net in either of those outings.
Their first-ever game in the MLS in fact, was indeed a 1-0 defeat to LAFC, with a goal from Mexican legend Carlos Vela
Team News
LAFC will welcome Miami without Deigo Palacios, he is absent for personal reasons, and there are doubts over the fitness of Diego Rosales and Jesus Murillo.
Miami have ACL sprains to Ian Fray, Franco Negri ad Corentin Jean and Brazilian midfielder Gregore is still nursing a foot injury. Busquets, Jordi Alba and Messi are all expected to feature.
Key Players
It goes without saying who the biggest star at Miami is, but they now have a whole host of wonderful players with glittering careers to choose from. One of the most efficient midfielders of our generation, Sergio Busquets, is one such player and Miami will look to him to control the midfield and control the game itself.
LA are not without great players of their own however, one of the greatest defenders of the modern era, Giorgio Chiellini is still plying his trade and leading from the back in the US these days. He has faces Miami’s ex-Barcelona stars many a time both domestically and internationally and his leadership is unquestionable.
How to watch on TV or online
The game is being streamed on Apple TV
Final Thoughts
Miami will be hellbent on revenge for their first-ever MLS game and defeat, and it looks as though this season, they finally have the tools to do it. But a certain Italian will be determined to marshal his defence to stop them.
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