Fresh off an impressive midweek result, the New York Red Bulls host Inter Miami in the 24th round of MLS action, aiming to maintain their strong form at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

The Red Bulls achieved a remarkable 5-3 victory over the New England Revolution after trailing 2-0 at the interval, while Lionel Messi’s inspired performances faced a solid defence as the Herons suffered a surprising 3-0 defeat to the Eastern Conference’s second-placed team, FC Cincinnati.

Match preview

Fans of the Red Bulls probably entered the midweek match eager to host the Revs, knowing that their strong home performances suggested a return to winning ways was likely. 

Having not won in the league since their 2-0 victory over Atlanta United on 31 May, the New York team had suffered two defeats and two draws on their travels, with their only home game during that period ending in a 2-2 draw at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

After falling two goals behind in the first 30 minutes on Wednesday, you might have forgiven Sandro Schwarz for fearing his side would go winless in consecutive matches in front of their supporters for the first time in 2025; however, inspired performances from Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting sparked a commanding second-half turnaround to secure a 5-3 victory.

That result marked the Red Bulls' eighth home victory this season in 11 games and extended their unbeaten streak at home since their loss to DC United in April.

Having claimed their first win in six, the Red Bulls now sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, occupying one of the two wildcard round places; however, a win over their Miami visitors could see the New Yorkers climb as high as sixth if other results go in their favour.

Such an outcome seems likely, especially after the Conference’s second-best side, FC Cincinnati, defeated Javier Mascherano’s team 3-0.

Messi had scored three consecutive braces entering the 23rd round, only to fire blanks in the recent match, ending the Herons' winning streak since their Club World Cup campaign.

Despite this setback, last year's Supporters' Shield winners remain in fifth place in their section, and their five-point lead over Saturday's eighth-placed hosts means they cannot fall outside the top seven spots after the upcoming round of MLS fixtures.

Aiming to build on their four previous league wins, Mascherano's men, who are top of the form table over the past five results along with Cincinnati and Nashville, seek their sixth away result in their 11th game on their travels. 

Only four teams have surpassed the Herons' 18 points from away games — Cincinnati (22), the Chicago Fire (19), and Philadelphia Union (19) — and the Miami-based team hopes to return to winning ways on their travels to maximise points and prevent them from looking over their shoulder.

New York Red Bulls MLS form:

L D D D L W

Inter Miami MLS form:

W W W W W L

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

D L W W W L

Team News

While the Red Bulls suffered no new injuries against the Revs, Cameron Harper (knee), Lewis Morgan and Serge Ngoma (thigh issues for both) are likely to miss Saturday's visit of Mascherano's team.

Choupo-Moting's brace brought him to 13 league goals for the New Yorkers, and the forward, along with Forsberg, who scored twice and set up one, could trouble an injury-hit away side.

Inter Miami are expected to be without several players: Noah Allen (hamstring), Drake Callender (hernia), Ian Fray (adductor) and Baltasar Rodriguez are expected to miss out, while Allen Obando (hamstring) will be assessed; however, joining the previous absentees is Oscar Ustari, who was withdrawn in the opening half-hour against FC Cincinnati with Rocco Rios Novo replacing the veteran.

Having fired blanks in the midweek defeat, Messi aims to return to the goalscoring trail, seeking to add to his 16 goals, one fewer than Nashville's Sam Surridge.

Although he has not scored many goals this year, with only five, Luis Suarez's unselfish play has seen him set up nine goals in 17 matches, and the 38-year-old seeks to be decisive this weekend.

New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:

Coronel; Duncan, Nealis, Eile, Valencia; Donkor, Edelman; Sofo, Forsberg, Carmona; Choupo-Moting

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Novo; Weigandt, Avilles, Falcon, Alba; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suarez

We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Inter Miami

While it would be easy to side with Messi and his teammates or back the Herons to return to winning ways, the Red Bulls’ home strength and momentum from Wednesday’s spirited fightback win should support a strong performance against Mascherano’s injury-hit side.

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