Inter Miami Eyes Redemption Against New York Red Bulls: Will the Herons Soar Again?

Inter Miami CF aim to bounce back to winning form on Saturday when they travel to face the New York Red Bulls, following their disappointing 3-0 defeat away to FC Cincinnati midweek.

Despite currently holding fourth place in the Eastern Conference based on points per game, the demanding fixture schedule from catching up after the FIFA Club World Cup seems to be taking its toll. For this weekend's encounter, they'll be missing both of their primary goalkeepers through injury, while Lionel Messi may also see reduced playing time as he manages a minor fitness issue.

Given these squad concerns, here's how manager Javier Mascherano might set up his team for the MLS fixture.

Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs New York Red Bulls (4-4-2)

GK: Rocco Rios Novo—The 23-year-old steps in to replace the sidelined Oscar Ustari and Drake Callender.

LB: Jordi Alba—The experienced defender has managed to cope with heavy playing loads despite Inter Miami's packed schedule.

CB: Tomas Aviles—Aviles returns to the starting center-back position following David Martinez's loan conclusion. Martinez has now gone back to Argentina's River Plate.

CB: Maxi Falcón—A crucial component of Miami's backline, Falcón assumes greater duties following Martinez's exit.

RB: Marcelo Weigandt—Among Miami's most reliable performers, Weigandt has featured in each of Miami's previous nine fixtures, completing over 85 minutes in all but one appearance.

LM: Telasco Segovia—Segovia stands as one of the few younger Inter Miami squad members who has appeared in every match of their 2025 MLS regular season campaign.

CM: Federico Redondo—While showing encouraging performances throughout 2025, Redondo appears set to surrender his starting position in the near future to Rodrigo De Paul.

CM: Sergio Busquets—The ex-FC Barcelona playmaker has managed only four assists across 19 MLS appearances this season and has found the net just once during his Inter Miami spell.

RM: Tadeo Allende—With seven goals and one assist in MLS action this season, Allende has enjoyed a fruitful run across 17 appearances.

ST: Fafa Picault—Though Fafa Picault hasn't seen extensive action for Miami, his four strikes in 13 outings could see him deputize for an injured Lionel Messi this weekend.

ST: Luis Suárez—While finding it difficult to generate chances, Suárez remains in Inter Miami's starting eleven and will seek his sixth strike in 17 matches against the Red Bulls.