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Inter Miami V/s. St Louis |
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MATCH INFO |
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Tournament |
MLS |
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Date |
03-03-2024 |
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Time |
03:00 AM IST - 1:30 AM-UAE |
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Stadium |
Chase Stadium |
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MATCH
LIVE INFO |
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FULL TIME |
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Match Preview
After seeing their 10-game unbeaten streak come to an end, Inter Miami aim to bounce back on Saturday as they host St. Louis City at Chase Stadium.
Despite the recent setback, Inter Miami still lead both the MLS Supporters' Shield standings and the Eastern Conference. They face a St. Louis City team that is struggling to replicate last year's impressive start to their Major League Soccer journey.
Inter Miami extended their unbeaten run to 10 games with a 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps last week, featuring seven wins and three draws in MLS play. However, this streak was abruptly halted by Atlanta United, who, despite being winless in nine games, managed a 3-1 upset in Fort Lauderdale. Despite dominating possession, Tata Martino's squad failed to convert their control into a turnaround.
This is a concern for Martino as key players, including Lionel Messi, prepare for international duty. Messi, who scored during the midweek game and is now tied with teammate Luis Suarez on 11 MLS goals, is keen to get back to winning ways before joining Argentina for Copa America preparation.
Even with this recent defeat, Inter Miami remain atop the Eastern Conference, with a slim lead as Cincinnati also lost, but they have played one more game than their rivals. Meanwhile, St. Louis City, after a stellar debut season in 2023, are struggling this year and sit in mid-table in the Western Conference.
St. Louis City recently slipped to 11th place after three consecutive losses, including a 3-1 defeat to Cincinnati and a midweek loss to Seattle Sounders. They have struggled away from home with no wins, four draws, and two losses on the road this season.
Tata Martino rotated his squad in the midweek game, reintroducing Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez, while resting players like Leonardo Campana and Matias Rojas. Federico Redondo, returning from a knee injury, made his first start since March and might continue alongside Busquets in central midfield. Facundo Farias remains out for the season with an ACL injury, while Diego Gomez is nearing a return from an ankle injury but is not yet fit to play.
Lionel Messi, leading the league with 23 goal contributions (11 goals and 12 assists) in 2024, will spearhead Inter Miami's attack. For St. Louis City, Brazilian striker Klauss has been their top scorer with five goals. The team recently signed attacking midfielder Cedric Teuchert, but he will not debut until the transfer window opens in July.
Eduard Lowen, who assisted Tomas Totland's goal against Seattle, hopes to start against Miami. Lowen has 18 goal involvements in 18 games at CityPark but has been less effective away. Full-back Joshua Yaro is nearing a return from a hamstring injury and could replace Kyle Hiebert, who scored an own goal midweek, if fit.
Predicted lineup for Inter Miami V/s. St Louis
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba; Gressel, Busquets, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Rojas
St Louis possible starting lineup:
Burki; Totland, Parker, Nilsson, Hiebert; Kijima, Blom; Alm, Vassilev, Pompeu; Klauss
Burki; Totland, Parker, Nilsson, Hiebert; Kijima, Blom; Alm, Vassilev, Pompeu; Klauss