Javier Mascherano is about to receive the first indication of whether his side’s 4-1 thrashing at Orlando City will be the “pivotal” moment the Inter Miami manager wants the defeat to be.
MLS newcomer Mascherano was scathing of his players’ performance and desire on Sunday, describing them as “outclassed” throughout their second loss in three away games.
The arrival of an LA Galaxy side who are rock-bottom of the Western Conference might seem a forgiving fixture, although Miami’s next opponents performed impressively to reach the Leagues Cup quarter-finals.
“They’re a team where the MLS standings don’t reflect their quality – especially the quality of their players,” warned Mascherano, via the Miami Herald.
“They didn’t start the season well because of injuries and different situations, but they’ve improved a lot over the last few months.”
As if being winless in 15 away games was insufficiently painful, the Galaxy lost 4-0 at home to the Seattle Sounders on Monday.
Manager Greg Vanney says Miami have “a ton of quality”. “If Jordi Alba’s facing forward, he can pick out anybody in any position,” he added of Miami’s wideman.
“It’s going to be two teams who’ll want to have the ball and try to pull each other apart as much as possible and capitalize on big moments in the game.
“[Lionel] Messi is so calculated. The second he sees that your attention is not on him and is on someone else, boom – he’s making a run that is killing you.
“It’s a very, very difficult defensive task but the guys have to be super detail-oriented and really focused.”
Inter Miami v LA Galaxy team news
There will be no reunion for Riqui Puig with former Barcelona teammates Alba, Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
Galaxy midfielder Puig, who was at Barca between 2013 and 2022, contributed 23 goals and 16 assists in 68 MLS appearances before suffering a serious knee injury last November.
Emiro Garces is a doubt with a leg injury and the defender and midfielders Edwin Cerrillo, Isaiah Parente and Gabriel Pec will incur suspensions if they are booked.
Top scorer and captain Lionel Messi is likely to return after missing almost three full games with a hamstring injury.
“Leo is fine,” said Mascherano. “He’s been training with the team since Wednesday. Barring anything strange [happening on Friday], he should make the squad.”
Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and Ecuador forward Allen Obando are doubts with hamstring problems.
Inter Miami v LA Galaxy line-ups
Inter Miami starting XI: Ustari, Fray, Falcon, Allen, Alba, Busquets, Bright, Allende, De Paul, Suarez, Messi
LA Galaxy starting XI: Micovic, Cuevas, Yoshida,, Zanka, Aude, Cerrillo, Reus, Fagundez, Pec, Nascimiento, Paintsil
How to watch Inter Miami v LA Galaxy: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:30 ET (16:30 PT on Sunday / 00:30 on Sunday BST), with live coverage available through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
In the US, a subscription costs $14.99 a month or $69 a season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $59 a season.
Inter Miami v LA Galaxy stats
- The two previous editions of the fixture have resulted in a win for LA Galaxy and a draw.
- Vanney has overseen 187 matches since being named head coach of the Galaxy in 2021, guiding the club to its sixth MLS Cup during the 2024 campaign
- Pec was named the 2024 MLS newcomer of the year, having produced 16 goals and 14 assists
- The Galaxy’s total of 52 goals conceded this season is the worst in the MLS, one behind DC United
- Their total of three wins is also the lowest in the league
- Messi has 18 goals and nine assists in the 2025 MLS, including 13 goals and six assists in eight league games since Miami’s defeat to Orlando
- Seven of Miami’s last 15 away goals have been by Messi
- Uruguay record scorer Luis Suarez ended a three-game wait for a direct goal contribution against Pumas on August 6, scoring once and setting up another two
- Miami have scored 50 MLS goals this season, leading the way with San Diego and Orlando
Inter Miami v LA Galaxy prediction
With Messi likely to be back, home advantage and an imperative to redeem themselves after the drubbing by Orlando, Miami should beat the Galaxy 3-1.
Galaxy’s hammering by Seattle was something of a surprise given their preceding form, taking 12 points from eight league matches.
