Inter Miami welcome New York City FC to the Chase Stadium on Saturday evening.
The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season officially kicks off on Saturday as Inter Miami welcomes New York City FC to Chase Stadium. With both teams looking to start their campaigns on the right foot, this matchup presents an intriguing battle between last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners and a team aiming to bounce back from an underwhelming season.
Despite setting an MLS record with 74 points in the 2024 regular season, Inter Miami suffered a shock early exit in the playoffs, falling to Atlanta United in the opening round. Now, with former Argentine international Javier Mascherano at the helm, they are eager to correct past mistakes and turn their dominance into post-season success.
Miami’s performance last season was nothing short of exceptional. Their 22 regular-season victories were just one fewer than the total number of wins accumulated in their previous two seasons combined. They also secured 11 home wins, more than any team in the Eastern Conference, demonstrating their strength at Chase Stadium.
One of the key attributes of Miami’s success in 2024 was their ability to fight back from adversity. The Herons managed to secure 31 points from losing positions while suffering only two defeats after scoring first — both coming in their ill-fated playoff series against Atlanta United. If they can replicate that resilience in 2025, Miami will once again be a formidable force.
NYCFC endured a turbulent start to their 2024 MLS campaign, losing four of their first five league matches. However, they showed resilience by turning their season around just in time to qualify for the postseason. A late surge, including three wins in their final four regular-season matches, allowed them to make the playoffs, where they stunned FC Cincinnati in the opening round before falling to the New York Red Bulls.
Despite their playoff qualification, NYCFC opted for change, parting ways with head coach Nick Cushing and bringing in Pascal Jansen. The Dutchman will be tasked with revitalizing a squad full of talent but lacking in consistency under Cushing.
One of NYCFC’s glaring weaknesses last season was their away form. They secured just four victories on the road, a marginal improvement from their dismal 2023 campaign when they won just once as visitors. A concerning trend for the Pigeons is their struggles in season openers, as they have lost their first MLS match of the season in five consecutive years. Their last opening-day victory came in 2018 when they defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-0.
Inter Miami dominated the 2024 regular season, but NYCFC proved to be a difficult opponent. The two sides played out two draws last year, with the Pigeons demonstrating their ability to match Miami’s attacking power. Furthermore, NYCFC have a solid record when facing the Herons away from home, securing points in five of their six visits to Miami. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Miami
Inter Miami have made notable additions to their squad ahead of the 2025 season, signing Fafa Picault and Telasco Segovia while also securing Tadeo Allende on loan from Celta Vigo in La Liga. However, they have also seen some departures, with Leonardo Campana being traded to the New England Revolution. Additionally, the club declined the option to retain Matias Rojas, who has since returned to River Plate, while Diego Gomez made a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
Lionel Messi played a crucial role in their recent CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture against Sporting Kansas City, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made three important saves to secure the clean sheet.
Inter Miami are expected to set up in a 4-4-2 formation. Drake Callender will start between the posts, providing a reliable presence in goal. Marcelo Weigandt, Ian Fray, David Martinez, and Jordi Alba will form the backline, tasked with keeping NYCFC’s attack at bay.
In midfield, Tadeo Allende and Federico Redondo will operate on the wings, while Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi will control the centre of the park, dictating the tempo and providing defensive stability.
Up front, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are expected to lead the attack. Their chemistry, experience, and goalscoring prowess make them a formidable duo capable of breaking down any defence.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Callender; Weigandt, Fray, Martinez, Alba; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Redondo; Messi, Suarez
New York City FC
New York City FC had a relatively quiet offseason in terms of new arrivals. The club signed Greg Ranjitsingh while also re-signing Maxi Moralez, keeping some key experienced figures in the squad.
However, there were significant departures. Luis Barraza was traded to DC United, Jovan Mijatovic signed with Oud-Heverlee Leuven, James Sands joined Bundesliga side FC St. Pauli, and Christian McFarlane was sold to Manchester City.
One of the biggest positives from the 2024 season was the emergence of Alonso Martinez. The Costa Rican forward was the team’s breakout star, scoring 17 goals in the regular season. Meanwhile, Santiago Rodriguez remained a crucial creative force, leading the team with 10 assists.
New York City are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Matt Freese will be the starting goalkeeper, commanding the backline. Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Birk Risa, and Kevin O’Toole will form the defensive unit, looking to keep Miami’s dynamic attack in check.
In midfield, Andres Perea and Keaton Parks will operate as the double pivot, providing the balance between defence and attack. The attacking midfield trio will consist of Hannes Wolf on the right, Santiago Rodriguez playing centrally as the creative playmaker, and Agustin Ojeda on the left, offering width and direct attacking play.
Up front, Alonso Martinez will lead the line as the lone striker, hoping to replicate his impressive goal-scoring form from last season and cause problems for the Miami defence.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Freese; Gray, Martins, Risa, O’Toole; Perea, Parks; Wolf, Rodriguez, Ojeda; Alonso Martinez
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- Inter Miami finished the 2024 regular season with 74 points, the highest total in MLS history.
- NYCFC have lost their season opener in five consecutive years, with their last opening-day win coming in 2018.
- Inter Miami secured 11 home victories in 2024, the most in the Eastern Conference.
- NYCFC have secured points in five of their six visits to Inter Miami, showing resilience on the road.
- Alonso Martinez was NYCFC’s top scorer last season, netting 17 goals in the regular season.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Messi remains the focal point of Inter Miami’s attack, and all eyes will be on him as he begins another MLS campaign. The Argentine superstar was instrumental in Miami’s record-breaking 2024 season, producing moments of magic that helped the team secure the Supporters’ Shield.
His ability to dictate play, create chances, and find the back of the net makes him the most dangerous player on the field. Coming off a match-winning goal in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Sporting Kansas City, Messi is already showing that he remains a decisive factor in big games.
Against NYCFC, his vision, dribbling, and finishing ability will be crucial as Miami looks to break down a resilient defensive unit. If Messi is in form, it will be difficult for the visitors to contain him.
Prediction
Inter Miami 2-1 New York City FC
Inter Miami enter the season as the favourites, boasting a well-balanced squad led by Javier Mascherano. Their home dominance and overall squad depth give them the upper hand against a New York City team still adapting to a new coaching system. However, New York City FC’s resilience and ability to grind out results against Miami cannot be ignored.
Expect Inter Miami to control possession and dictate the tempo, while NYCFC will aim to stay compact and hit on the counterattack. With Miami’s home strength and attacking firepower, they should have enough to secure three points, though NYCFC may keep it close.
