With the announcement that Lionel Messi intends to join Inter Miami, all eyes are on the South Florida side.
Though the Argentine won’t be available for the Herons until the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 5th, many new fans to the league will want to get acquainted with the 35-year-old’s new team before he arrives.
Miami will take a bye week on match date 19, but they will be back on the field on match date 20 to take on the red-hot Philadelphia Union. The series between the two sides has been evenly split. Over the course of their last five meetings, both Miami and the Union have won twice and drawn twice, with one win going to the Union.
Where to watch Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union on TV/live stream?
When is kick-off? 7:38 PM EST
Where is the game being played? Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania
TV channel/live stream? MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
What time does TV coverage start? 7:00 PM EST
Inter Miami team news
Miami is facing significant challenges on the pitch due to injuries. Key midfielders Jean Mota and Gregore have been unable to play since March and May, respectively, with Mota having an LCL tear and Gregore a Lisfranc fracture. Additionally, winger Corentin Jean will be absent after tearing his ACL during Miami's recent 3-1 loss against the New Revolution.
The Herons are also currently searching for a new coach as they parted ways with former manager Phil Neville on June 1st due to a string of poor results. Interim head coach Javier Morales will be on the sidelines for the men donned in pink and black as they look to get their first win in league play since their May 13th win vs. the Revolution.
Philadelphia Union team news
Conversely, the Philadelphia Union are doing quite well compared to their Eastern Conference counterpart. Head coach Jim Curtin has turned his side around after starting the year with three losses in their first five games.
Young Argentine striker Julian Carranza has been a big reason why the Union has been in phenomenal form as of late. The 23-year-old has nine goals and two assists on the year, making him the leading scorer on the team, just two ahead of attacking midfielder Daniel Gazdag. The Union sit in third place in the East with 30 points through seventeen games played.
Unfortunately, despite all their strength in attack, the Union will be without two major players on their roster, with captain Alejandro Bedoya questionable due to a quadricep strain and defender Damion Lowe out with a hamstring strain.
Prediction
Miami has not been in good form lately, and it’s difficult to see them getting a win away from home. Injuries have torn through their roster, and they’re at the point where - while not necessarily a bad thing, they are consistently starting homegrown players in their starting eleven, which could be seen as negative against an experienced team like the Union.
The Union will look to exploit that with their direct, attacking style vs. Miami’s cumbersome defense.
Unfortunately, this game has the makings of being one-sided, where Philadelphia wins by multiple goals.
Prediction: Inter Miami 0 - 3 Philadelphia Union
This article was originally published on 90min as Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union - MLS preview: TV channel/live stream, team news & prediction.