Inter Miami returns to MLS duty after Champions Cup setback, Messi set for NYCFC clash
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are putting the Concacaf Champions Cup disappointment behind them and returning to league play with a high-profile matchup against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, March 22. The game marks a fresh start for a team that was knocked out in the Round of 16 only days after the MLS champions’ continental run ended earlier than expected.
The timing could hardly be better for Inter Miami, given that Messi is reportedly healthy and expected to take the field before traveling with Argentina. Miami’s next stretch involves both MLS pressure and international commitments, making the NYCFC match a key checkpoint for the squad’s rhythm.
Inter Miami had plenty to like in their Champions Cup run, including Messi’s continued productivity. In last Wednesday’s second leg against Nashville, the forward found the net to reach his 900th career goal milestone. Still, despite that milestone moment, Inter Miami advanced no further in the tournament after being separated by the away goals tiebreaker rule in a match that ended 1-1.
Inter Miami resets after Champions Cup exit with Messi focused on MLS
Speaking ahead of training on Saturday, March 21, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the emotional hit of elimination but stressed that the response matters more than the aftermath. He framed the setback as something the team has to process without letting it derail the league season.
Mascherano’s message to his players was direct: soccer happens, and the only way to neutralize a painful result is to prove it was a misstep rather than a trend. In his view, MLS performance is the immediate stage where Inter Miami can reestablish confidence, form, and scoring momentum.
Messi remains a central part of that plan. The star is expected to be in the lineup against NYCFC, and he is also trending toward a smooth transition into international duty. However, Inter Miami’s challenge is bigger than just having Messi available—it’s about whether the rest of the team can consistently help him manufacture goals.
So far this season, Inter Miami’s scoring output has shown flashes, but not enough support has come from everyone who needs to deliver. Across all competitions, Messi has scored four of Inter Miami’s seven goals in a 2W-3D-1L start. That means without his contributions—either scoring or creating—Miami’s attack has struggled to generate enough production.
Notably, the list of other goal scorers is short. Only Mateo Silvetti, Telasco Segovia, and Rodrigo De Paul—Messi’s World Cup-winning teammate who was not present at Saturday’s practice—have added goals besides Messi. That reality is why Mascherano has been urging the group to do more in the final third.
The coach pointed to the need for broader attacking contributions, including players who were expected to lift Miami’s offensive ceiling after major offseason investments and roster expectations. Some of those expected outputs have been slow to materialize so far.
Since arriving on a $15 million transfer from Liga MX club CF Monterrey, striker Germán Berterame has been unable to find the back of the net. Meanwhile, Tadeo Allende, who set an MLS record with nine goals during last season’s title run, has yet to score in 2026. Uruguayan star Luis Suárez has also been dealing with limited action and is still searching for his first goal of the campaign.
Mascherano didn’t minimize the importance of Messi, but he clearly wants the supporting cast to step up. He emphasized that beyond having Leo’s impact—often through both goals and assists—Inter Miami requires more consistent contributions from teammates so the team doesn’t rely on one player to carry scoring responsibility.
Inter Miami will likely need that collective scoring effort on Sunday because matches against NYCFC tend to demand concentration and patience. Miami’s opponents are not just a regular league rival in this matchup; they’ve recently met in a high-stakes situation.
In fact, Inter Miami and NYCFC last faced each other in the MLS Eastern Conference final, with Inter Miami winning 5-1 on Nov. 29, 2025. That history may add extra familiarity between the sides, but it also raises the stakes for both teams to establish control early in the rematch.
Injury news adds another layer to what could be a tactical and physical game. Inter Miami will enter the weekend without key players: Rodrigo De Paul (muscle contusion) and defenders Maxi Falcon (knee) and Sergio Reguilón (knee) are expected to miss the NYCFC match due to injuries.
With those absences, Inter Miami’s lineup choices become more important. The coaching staff may need to lean harder on younger or less-used options, while Messi’s presence becomes even more valuable if Miami is forced to create chances without its usual defensive and midfield balance.
How to watch NYCFC vs Inter Miami
The match kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can watch it on Apple TV.
Messi’s schedule: club now, Argentina next
While Inter Miami is focused on the league for the moment, Messi’s offseason-to-international routine is already lined up. After the NYCFC clash, his upcoming slate includes Argentina vs. Mauritania on March 27, and Argentina vs. Zambia on March 31 before returning attention to club play, including Inter Miami’s April 4 match against Austin FC.
The next few weeks could define Inter Miami’s rhythm—how quickly they bounce back from continental disappointment, how effectively they spread scoring contributions beyond Messi, and whether the squad can maintain intensity amid injuries and international travel.
Inter Miami’s return to MLS against NYCFC is more than a marquee date on the calendar—it’s a test of resilience, depth, and offensive consistency, with Messi ready to play and the rest of the roster expected to help carry the load.