Messi, Suarez, Alba sit out Inter Miami vs. Dallas game amid big week
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Oscar Ustari were not on the Inter Miami game roster for the Sunday match against FC Dallas, and Sergio Busquets is on the bench.
The absence of the quartet of veteran starters, and Busquets taking a break, was expected as Miami is coming off a 2-0 loss on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps late Thursday night in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal. The second and decisive leg of the series looms Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano indicated on Friday that there would be roster changes for the Dallas game as he and the staff balance league play and the Champions Cup. Messi, Suarez, Alba and Ustari are being rested because of the high-stakes game ahead.
The loss to Vancouver left Miami in a precarious position and on the verge of elimination.
Champions Cup uses aggregate scoring, and the tiebreaker is away goals, so Inter Miami must score at least two goals and concede none on Wednesday to force extra time for a shot at the championship game. The team was in a similar situation in the quarterfinals against Los Angeles FC and rallied from down 2-0 with a pair of Messi goals to win the series 3-2.
This time, a spot in the final is on the line. The winner of the Champions Cup will earn $5 million and qualify for the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. With such a high stakes game on the horizon, and such little time to recover from the Vancouver trip, coach Javier Mascherano said there will be changes in the starting lineup for the Dallas game.
He did not rest players between the two legs of the LAFC series, using his regular starters for the league game against Toronto, but this time, it will be different.
'One thing is to play every three days, which the majority of our player are accustomed to, but it's another thing to play less than 72 hours after the previous game,' Mascherano said Saturday morning before training. 'We finished Thursday's game past midnight Miami time, and we are playing Sunday at 5 p.m. It was a flight back of more than six hours.'
The Miami starting lineup on Sunday included: Drake Callender (captain), Ian Fray, Gonzalo Lujan, Maxi Falcon, David Martinez, Fafa Picault, Toto Aviles, Yannick Bright, Benja Cremaschi, Leo Afonso and Allen Obando.
It is the first MLS start for Obando, the 18-year-old Ecuadorean forward who joined the team last month.
On the bench for Miami are Rocco Rios Novo, Ryan Sailor, Marcelo Weigandt, Noah Allen, Fede Redondo, Busquets, Telasco Segovia, Santi Morales and Tadeo Allende.
The game kicks off at 5 p.m. and can be watched on Apple TV MLS Season Pass.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Official: Inter Milan Announce Squad For FIFA Club World Cup – Both Summer Signings Make The List
Official: Inter Milan Announce Squad For FIFA Club World Cup – Both Summer Signings Make The List New Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu has named his 33-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Chivu will lead the Nerazzurri expedition in North America after taking the managerial reins from Simone Inzaghi. Advertisement Despite a lack of experience in senior management, the 44-year-old will try to help Inter forget a gut-wrenching season. Indeed, the 20-time Italian champions finished the 2024/25 empty-handed. Therefore, the Club World Cup could be a perfect opportunity for the team to bounce back. Inter Milan Name 33-Man Squad for FIFA Club World Cup MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez, Nicolo Barella and Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale celebrate their victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Chivu's list features summer additions and all long-serving stalwarts, including the injured Hakan Calhanoglu and Yann Bisseck. Furthermore, both summer acquisitions have already chosen their numbers. Luis Henrique, who joined the club from Marseille, will don the No.11 shirt previously worn by Joaquin Correa. Advertisement Meanwhile, Petar Sucic will take the No.8 jersey from Marko Arnautovic, whose contract at San Siro expires at the end of June. Unfortunately, Inter missed out on signing Ange-Yoan Bonny ahead of the tournament.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Juventus Breaks Silence on Newcastle, Tottenham Target's Future as PSG Exit Looms
Randal Kolo Muani made an immediate impact after joining Juventus on loan from PSG, tallying 10 goal contributions in 19 matches across all competitions. PSG are hoping his strong form in Turin helps raise his value ahead of the summer transfer window. The club is aiming to recoup at least half of the €95 million it paid Eintracht Frankfurt for him in 2023. Advertisement Kolo Muani struggled to earn minutes under Luis Enrique this season, making just two starts. His future could also hinge on how things take shape under Juventus' new coaching staff. After Thiago Motta's departure, Igor Tudor took over, and while Kolo Muani had to fight for a consistent role, he became more involved late in the 2024-25 campaign. As a result, Juventus plan to keep him around for at least the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. What's the latest on Juventus keeping PSG loaneeJuventus' general manager Damien Comolli recently spoke about the outlook of Kolo Muani staying with the Italian side past the FIFA Club World Cup. Advertisement 'We've reached an agreement with PSG regarding his salary, and he will be with us for the Club World Cup,' Comolli said (h/t Le10Sport). 'There is no final agreement yet for next season, but I'm optimistic because PSG haven't closed the door, and Kolo Muani wants to stay with us.' Kolo Muani may be open to staying in Turin, but his future at Juventus likely hinges on financial and contractual decisions. Back in April, GIVEMESPORT reported that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to make another move for the French forward if Juventus choose not to make his loan permanent. Tottenham are expected to pursue attacking reinforcements this summer, regardless of whether Ange Postecoglou stays on as manager. Muani's next step remains uncertain, but interest in the 26-year-old is picking up. According to TuttoJuve, Arsenal and Newcastle United are currently at the front of the pack. Whether it's another loan or a permanent switch, his future could be one of the summer's most talked-about storylines.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Thomas Tuchel issues warning to England players in World Cup 2026 countdown
Thomas Tuchel admitted he needs to get better after suffering his first defeat as England manager, but warned his players to hit the ground running next season in the battle to earn a place in the World Cup 2026 squad. Senegal beat England 3-1 at the City Ground on Tuesday, ending Tuchel's 100 per cent record in his new job and the German said he would not call it a good start to his tenure, with the most recent international break also including a laboured win over Andorra. Advertisement And while admitting he needs to improve personally, he called for patience after underlining that there is still plenty of time until the World Cup. 'If you know me, then you know after a loss I will never say 'yes it's a good start'. Never. I will never allow that to myself,' he said. 'With a job and building an atmosphere and building a group and being a leader it's about more than just results but of course I'm judging myself also on results, I want to win every match. So it's not perfect. We need to get better. I need to get better. There's still a long way to go. Next week is not the World Cup.' England have won all three games in World Cup qualifying to earn a four-point lead in Group K, but Tuchel warned there is still work to do and it is not guaranteed they will be in the United States next summer. Advertisement 'This is the perception because we are competitive, we are in tournaments, we qualify,' he added. 'I'm still 100 per cent convinced that we qualify and we will be competitive and are able to win our qualification group. There is no doubt and there will never be a doubt.' Tuchel has told his charges they need to be playing regularly for their clubs next season if they are to be in the best possible shape to make his squad. Thomas Tuchel must find a way to solve England's issues ahead of the World Cup next year (Reuters) He was asked about Kyle Walker, who finished last season on loan at AC Milan after struggling at Manchester City. But a number of other England hopefuls have to resolve their futures, with Jack Grealish losing his place at City and Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United, Liam Delap moving to Chelsea, Trevoh Chalobah potentially being made available for transfer by the Blues, James Trafford wanted by Newcastle, Marc Guehi likely to attract offers and Ollie Watkins the subject of a January bid by Arsenal. Kyle Walker's club future remains unclear (Getty) While Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed for Real Madrid, it remains to be seen where his fellow right-back Walker will play next season. Advertisement And Tuchel said: 'I hope this for everyone. Everyone gets their places back in any club where they play. I just said it to the players. You have now unfortunately a long pause but I expect you to be fit when you start pre-season with your club, I expect you to get your place, wherever you play, and I expect you to be in the right mindset when we start in the World Cup season in September.' Watch every Fifa Club World Cup game free on DAZN. Sign up here now.
