When Lionel Messi has been missing, Inter Miami have won two, drawn three and lost four MLS games
Messi is one of nine players likely to be out of action for the visitors
New York beat Dallas 2-1 in their last home MLS match
Miami may struggle without Messi and co
New York Red Bulls can take down a weakened Inter Miami line-up when the two sides meet in an early-season Eastern Conference clash at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. The Herons could be without as many as nine players – six of them regular starters – for the road game in Harrison with Lionel Messi being the biggest miss of all.
He sat out last weekend’s 3-1 win at D.C. United with a hamstring strain, but Miami wins without Messi are pretty rare with Inter having lost twice as many games as they have won when the Argentinean has been unavailable.
Defender Nico Freire injured a hamstring during the D.C. game and is doubtful for this trip while forward Leo Campana also missed training this week with an adductor strain. Four of Miami’s other starters from last weekend’s clash, plus two other likely replacements, are due to miss out because of international duty – leaving Gerardo Martino down to the bare bones of his squad.
Timing is right for Red Bulls to win again
The bad news for the Red Bulls is that Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez, both world class stars of the recent past, are available – but they might not have anyone to do their running.
Sandro Schwartz’s side have been nothing special this season, winning two of their four games and losing 3-0 to a good Columbus Crew side last weekend.
But the timing seems perfect for them to get back to winning ways against Inter Miami, who they had beaten in four of the five previous head-to-head meetings before Messiu showed up in South Florida.
Predictions:New York Red Bulls Draw No Bet New York Red Bulls 2-1
