After a gut-wrenching capitulation in the CONCACAF Champions Cup midweek, Inter Miami must now temporarily refocus on league play as they host the Colorado Rapids in an early April MLS regular season meeting.
Without Lionel Messi, Inter Miami led Liga MX giants Monterrey by a goal with 20 minutes to go in the first leg of their continental quarterfinal on Wednesday, but a red card to David Ruiz saw the Mexican club storm back to secure victory at the death.
Messi is expected to return for Inter Miami this weekend, but that is not a given as the club has suddenly decided to play it very safe with the 36-year-old’s shaky recent fitness. Even if he should take the field, Inter Miami are decimated by injuries, with a host of key players all unfit for action for varying lengths of time.
The Rapids sit mid-table in the Western Conference, at first looking just as poor as they were all of last season in a last-placed finish, but the new offseason additions have started to take effect, and they are showing signs of life now through six matches.
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Even with the litany of injuries, Inter Miami managed to put in a good shift against a very high-quality Monterrey side at home midweek until the 70th minute dismissal, and that was without Lionel Messi.
With Messi thought likely to return, they should manage to take care of business at Chase Stadium against an MLS opponent who is struggling defensively.
While Inter Miami aren’t as first-half skewed as they were when Lionel Messi first arrived, when they were continually known for pouncing on chances in the first 15 minutes of matches, they are still most effective at the start of games.
The Herons were best in the opening 45 minutes against Monterrey before their grip on the match began to slip, and overall, five of their last eight goals across all competitions have come before the break.
Especially if Lionel Messi returns to the pitch, Inter Miami will present an instant danger to a Colorado Rapids side which is defensively porous. Indeed, this Rapids team was pummeled 4-1 by the Portland Timbers back in the first match of the season, when all four opposition goals were scored before halftime.
While Inter Miami are often most prolific early, and have scored the most goals in MLS this season so far, the Rapids also do provide a dangerous threat.
Djordje Mihailovic has proven a quality addition as the team’s new No. 10, grabbing two goals and an assist in the 3-2 win over LAFC last time out, while Omir Fernandez has goal-scoring pedigree from his New York Red Bulls days. They haven’t quite gotten Rafael Navarro involved yet, but the on-loan Palmeiras striker can be threatening if he has service.
There are goals in this game, between two teams with talented attacking players and defensive vulnerabilities.
Inter Miami’s match Saturday against the Colorado Rapids will be available to view across the globe exclusively on MLS Season Pass from Apple TV.
The match has not been selected as part of the two games this weekend available to stream for free, and thus a subscription is required to view the match.