New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami – News and Probable Lineups

The New York Red Bulls are looking to keep their spot above the Eastern Conference playoff line as they take on Inter Miami at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey this Saturday evening.
A recent 2-0 loss at home against Toronto has placed the Red Bulls in eighth position in the East, while the defending MLS Cup champions sit second after a 3-1 victory against Atlanta United.

Match overview

As the regular season approaches its conclusion with four matches left, the Red Bulls are still in a position to qualify for the playoffs, but their margin for mistake is quite slim, as their current status above the playoff line is due to a greater number of wins compared to Toronto.
The team led by Michael Bradley has suffered losses in three of their last four league games, and they were unable to find the net in two of those outings.
A loss this weekend could see them drop below the playoff line and match their longest home losing streak of the 2026 regular season (two matches).
If the Red Bulls manage to secure wins in three of their last four league matches, they would exceed their total points from the 2025 season (43 points).
They have scored 39 goals this season, which is tied with the Seattle Sounders for the least among MLS teams currently in playoff contention.
New York remains unbeaten against Florida-based teams this season, having narrowly triumphed over Orlando City 3-2 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in August.

Inter Miami appears to have turned around their fortunes and are emerging as strong contenders to defend their MLS title.

Since the league resumed following the international break, the Herons have won all their domestic matches, snapping a four-match winless streak on the road in this competition last weekend.
Kily Gonzalez’s squad leads the league in average goals per match (2.4), netting three or more goals in six MLS away games this year.
By winning their final two regular-season away fixtures this season, they could match the club record for most road victories in a single MLS season from 2024 (11).
A significant portion of their recent achievements can be attributed to the performances of their captain, Lionel Messi, who is just three matches away from equalling his personal best direct goal-contribution streak, a record he set under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona in 2011, scoring or assisting in 17 consecutive games.

Inter Miami aims to stretch their unbeaten streak against the Red Bulls to five matches this Saturday, having triumphed in this fixture 5-1 last season.

Team News

On Saturday, the Red Bulls will be missing goalkeeper AJ Marcucci, who continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury, which is expected to see Ethan Horvath start again in goal.

Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, and Ronald Donkor recently earned mentions in the MLS Under 22 Best List, with Hall and Mehmeti positioned second and third respectively, while Donkor comes in at #12.

For Miami, Tadeo Allende is still managing a knee problem, Mateo Silvetti is dealing with a shoulder issue, Fricio Caicedo has a lower-body injury, Yannick Bright is recovering from a foot ailment, and Israel Boatwright is out due to a cruciate ligament tear.

Lionel Messi scored twice in their triumph over Atlanta last weekend, while German Berterame got on the scoresheet for the second consecutive match.

New York Red Bulls probable starting XI

Horvath; Nealis, I, Bazan, Padelford; Donkor, Forsberg, Sophomore; Harper, Hall, Cowell

Inter Miami probable starting XI

St. Clair; Lujan, Casemiro, Micael, Reguilon; De Paul, Ayala, Segovia; Messi, Suarez, Berterame

Currently, Miami seems invincible, and with a tenacious Messi still displaying exceptional form, it’s hard to see how a struggling Red Bulls defence could hinder him or the Herons.