Inter Miami vs Austin – News and Probable Lineups

Inter Miami CF will celebrate a significant milestone this Saturday as they take on Austin FC in their inaugural match at the newly opened Nu Stadium, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the club in Major League Soccer.

Despite being early in the season with just five matches played, Inter Miami appears to be more cohesive than in past seasons, while their opponents have faced difficulties in their initial matches.

Match overview

The transition signifies a pivotal advancement in the relatively brief timeline of Inter Miami, as the club moves into a permanent venue crafted to showcase their rapid expansion and international appeal following their admission into MLS in 2020.

The importance of the new stadium extends beyond mere infrastructure, as The Herons have played their home games at Chase Stadium since their inception, gradually establishing their long-term identity.

The launch of Nu Stadium embodies aspirations for stability and growth, reflecting the club’s transformation into one of the most prominent names in global football. The enhanced seating capacity, contemporary amenities, and lively matchday experience are set to bolster Inter Miami’s dedicated fanbase and commercial prospects.

A standout aspect of the stadium is the dedicated Leo Messi Stand, named in honor of club captain Lionel Messi. This gesture recognizes his significant impact since arriving in Miami and aims to become a central gathering point for fans while demonstrating the club’s commitment to competitiveness at the highest level.

As they approach this historic match, Inter Miami has displayed promising form in MLS, securing three wins, one draw, and one defeat across five fixtures, netting nine goals and conceding eight, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference as they strive for early momentum.

Notably, this will be Inter Miami’s first home fixture of the 2026-27 MLS season. Following a 3-0 defeat in their opening match against Los Angeles FC, Javier Mascherano’s squad rebounded impressively, culminating in a 3-2 win over New York City FC in their last match before the international break.

Thus, Saturday’s match carries added significance beyond merely securing three points, as the anticipation surrounding the new stadium and the unveiling of the Leo Messi Stand has Inter Miami eager to put on a spectacular performance for the occasion.

Austin will make their way to face Inter Miami CF on Saturday as the first visiting team at Nu Stadium, becoming the inaugural rivals at this brand-new venue.

Before the international break, Austin managed to secure a goalless draw against LAFC, becoming the initial team this season to prevent the current Western Conference leaders from scoring.

The Verde and Black will now aim for a notable victory over the reigning MLS Cup champions and Lionel Messi as Inter Miami inaugurates their new stadium.

Austin and Miami have previously clashed on two occasions, with Austin winning 5-1 in 2022, followed by a 1-1 draw in 2023.

Nico Estevez’s team heads to South Florida with the determination to remain unbeaten against Inter Miami while also preparing for a busy April calendar that includes five league matches and at least one U.S. Open Cup encounter.

Team News

The key topic of discussion for Inter Miami is Lionel Messi’s absence from training leading up to Saturday’s match, although Javier Mascherano confirmed this was a pre-planned decision to allow the Argentine more recovery time following the international break.

Facundo Mura trained separately on Thursday and may miss the match on Saturday, with Ian Fray likely to step in at right-back if needed.

Maximiliano Falcon and Sergio Reguilon both returned to full training on Thursday and are available for selection.

On the visitors’ side, four players have been ruled out, including Dani Pereira with a hamstring issue, Robert Taylor and Brandon Vazquez with knee injuries, and Owen Wolff dealing with a sports hernia.

Estevez is also keeping an eye on the fitness of winger Jayden Nelson, who is struggling with a hamstring problem and is doubtful for the journey to Miami.

Inter Miami probable starting XI:

St. Clair; Fray, Lujan, Silva, Reguilon; DePaul, Bright; Silvetti, Segovia, Messi; Allende

Austin FC probable starting XI:

Stuver; Gallagher, Svatok, Hines-Ike, Bell; Sanchez, Dubersarsky, Rosales, Torres; Uzuni, Ramirez

The first home match of the season in a newly constructed stadium is anticipated to generate a festive atmosphere for Inter Miami, and this positive energy may translate into a robust performance on the field.

Austin has experienced defeats in both of their away games this season, and this being their initial visit to Nu Stadium, their road challenges could persist, which is why we are supporting Inter Miami to commemorate the event with a win.