With Lionel Messi confirmed in the starting lineup, Inter Miami look to bounce back from a tough defeat to Nashville SC. The Argentina will also vie to get back in the scoring sheet as Messi has missed three consecutive penalties. Amid this character-testing context, the Herons will be seeking a win against Philadelphia Union on Matchday 21 to remain in contention at the top of the MLS standings.
Subaru Park will host this highly anticipated matchup, which will pit the second-place team against the hosts, who currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference. Guillermo Hoyos’ side has a great opportunity to bounce back.
The Union’s situation is completely different from that of their upcoming opponents. With just 19 points collected over 19 matches, interim head coach Ryan Richter’s side is fighting to climb out of the bottom of the standings.
Inter Miami’s starting XI
Inter Miami must win if they want to stay in contention for first place. Following their heavy away 4-1 defeat to Nashville SC, a team widely regarded as the best in MLS, the gap between the two teams has grown to five points.
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF is challenged by Elias Saad #11 of Nashville SC.
This is the lineup Hoyos will be sending onto the pitch: Dayne St. Clair (GK); Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Gonzalo Lujan, Sergio Reguilon; Yannick Bright, Casemiro, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Daniel Pinter.
Rodrigo De Paul is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, which triggered an automatic one-game ban in the 2026 MLS season. Without him available, Hoyos and Inter Miami changed their tactical approach, taking one player out of midfield and having Pinter join Suarez and Messi in attack.
Philadelphia Union’s starting lineup vs Inter Miami
With the aim of securing a home win that would provide some much-needed breathing room at this stage of the season, these are the 11 players the Union will field against the Herons.
Andre Blake (GK) ; Frankie Westfield, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Kai Wagner; Cavan Sullivan, Jesus Bueno, Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev; Milan Iloski, Bruno Damiani.
Two top scorers on the field
Although FC Dallas striker Petar Musa is currently the MLS leading scorer with 14 goals, two players in this matchup are close behind. Lionel Messi has scored 12 goals, while Milan Iloski has found the net 10 times so far.
