The anticipation is building as Inter Miami prepares to face Jamaican Premier League champions Cavalier FC in the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The match is set to take place on Thursday night at Chase Stadium, and fans are eager to see how the Herons will approach this crucial fixture. While Miami will be looking to extend their strong start to the season, the status of their biggest star remains a topic of discussion ahead of the match.
The Herons have had a hectic start to the season, juggling their MLS commitments with the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Javier Mascherano’s side has shown impressive form, winning their first-round tie against Sporting Kansas City 4-1 on aggregate. The Herons ensured their progression with a dominant second-leg performance, leading 3-0 at halftime and cruising to victory.
Meanwhile, Cavalier qualified for the competition by winning the 2024 Caribbean Cup, and they will be eager to cause an upset in Miami. Despite the high stakes, the home side will see this fixture as an opportunity to secure a strong first-leg result and allow themselves the chance to rest players in the return match.
Over the weekend, Mascherano registered his first MLS win of the season, defeating the Houston Dynamo 4-1. The match allowed some of the team’s newer signings, such as Taedo Allende and Telasco Segovia, to showcase their attacking prowess. Their contributions could be crucial in this clash as Miami seeks to maintain their momentum.
Will Messi feature against Cavalier?
While Miami’s form has been encouraging, the biggest question ahead of the match remains: Will Lionel Messi play? The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was rested for the Houston Dynamo clash due to fatigue, marking the first time this season that he did not feature in a game. Before that, Messi had been directly involved in four goal contributions in just three appearances, scoring twice and providing two assists.
The 40-year-old boss addressed Messi’s availability during his pre-match press conference but remained cautious about confirming his involvement. “He’s training. He trained [Tuesday]. He trained [Wednesday]. But we’ll see,” Mascherano said. “He’s in good health, but we’ll see what’s best for us. That’s the reality.”
Now, as per the latest reports from Deporte Total, the 37-year-old will sit out tonight’s match versus Cavalier. In order to prevent a prolonged absence caused by muscular overload, he will keep doing what the club has agreed on.
