Coming off a 1-2 defeat to Columbus on Sept 27, Inter Miami also endured back‑to‑back 2-2 stalemates with San Diego FC and Nashville earlier this month.
Messi returns to the pitch as a starter after retiring from Argentina following the international break.
Inter Miami lineup confirmed
Coach Kily González lines the squad up in a 4‑3‑3, centering a midfield trio of Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul and Dániel Pintér. Sergio Reguilón provides width at left back, while Luis Suárez and Messi spearhead the attack. No injuries are reported, giving González a full XI to choose from.
Inter Miami confirmed starting XI (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair, Gonzalo Luján, Sergio Reguilón, David Ayala, Casemiro, Micael, Rodrigo De Paul, Matías Galarza, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi, Germán Berterame. Coach: Cristian González.
D.C. United lineup confirmed
René Weiler opts for a 4‑4‑2, with Sean Johnson guarding goal behind defenders Keisuke Kurokawa, Kye Rowles, Lucas Bartlett and Silvan Hefti. The midfield quartet of Andre Dozzell, Jackson Hopkins, Kimito Nono and Hosei Kijima supplies the forwards Peglow and Nathan Ordaz. No absences are listed, leaving the visitors with their intended roster to tighten midfield control. For my money, Miami’s firepower gives them the edge.
D.C. United confirmed starting XI (4-4-2): Sean Johnson, Kimito Nono, Keisuke Kurokawa, Nikola Marković, Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, Hosei Kijima, Andre Dozzell, Tai Baribo, Jackson Hopkins, Peglow. Coach: René Weiler.