Inter Miami travel to Washington, D.C., to face D.C. United on Saturday in Matchday 29 of the 2025 MLS season. With star forward Lionel Messi sidelined due to injury, the Herons will be aiming for a win against one of the league’s lowest-ranked teams to climb the standings.
Heading into the game, Inter Miami have bounced back after a 4-1 defeat to Orlando City, recording a 3-1 win against LA Galaxy and securing their place in the Leagues Cup semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL. However, coach Javier Mascherano confirmed that Messi will not travel with the squad, delivering a significant blow to the team.
Meanwhile, D.C. United have struggled all season, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just 20 points from 27 games. They’ll be looking to break a 10-game winless streak in MLS play, with their last victory coming on May 31 against FC Cincinnati.
Inter Miami facing another key absence
Messi has yet to fully recover from the muscle injury he suffered in early August against Necaxa, which is why coach Javier Mascherano opted to rest the Argentine star for the trip to D.C. United. However, the Herons will also be dealing with another major setback on Saturday night.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with Jordi Alba #18 after scoring a goal during the second half against the Orlando City SC at Chase Stadium on March 02, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Inter Miami will be without left back Jordi Alba, who sustained a knee injury against Tigres. On Friday, Mascherano confirmed Alba will miss the match, meaning both he and Messi will be sidelined this weekend, expecting to count with both stars for the Leagues Cup semifinal against Orlando on Wednesday.
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Projected lineups for D.C. United and Inter Miami
D.C. United’s projected lineups (4-1-4-1): Luis Barraza; Connor Antley, Lukas MacNaughton, Kye Rowles, David Schnegg; Matti Peltola, Aaron Herrera, Brandon Servania, Jackson Hopkins, Gabriel Pirani, Christian Benteke.
Head coach: Rene Weiler.
Inter Miami’s projected lineups (4-2-3-1): Oscar Ustari; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomas Aviles, Maximiliano Falcon, Noah Allen; Sergio Busquets, Yannick Bright; Tadeo Allende, Benjamin Cremaschi, Fafa Picault; Luis Suarez.
Head coach: Javier Mascherano.
