The Inter Miami pre-season tour continues on Sunday when they travel to Estadio Rommel Fernandez for a friendly with Sporting San Miguelito in Panama.
Last weekend, La Academia settled for a 0-0 draw with Costa del Este, while Miami won their friendly against Universitario this week on penalties (5-4) following a goalless 90 minutes.
Match preview
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It has been a positive start to the new Liga Panamena de Futbol campaign for San Miguelito, who are unbeaten after two matchdays.
That has them tied with Alianza for first in group A, as Sporting have yet to concede a single domestic goal so far this season.
This team have been well-disciplined on the backline since the latter stages of the previous Clausura campaign, posting four clean sheets in their last five matches played across all competitions.
They will enter this encounter having suffered just one defeat in their previous six matches played across all competitions, losing 3-2 against Veraguas United in early November.
Although this upcoming fixture is a friendly, manager Cesar Aguilar is treating it as a big game, saying his players need to realise they are representing an entire nation on Sunday.
Last season, this team won two of their three encounters versus clubs outside Panama, defeating Verdes FC from Belize (4-0) and Honduran side Olancho (2-0) in the CONCACAF Central American Cup.
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After an entertaining start to their pre-season versus Club America (2-2 draw), Miami were held in check against the Peruvians on Wednesday, registering just two efforts on target, but wound up winning on penalties for a second successive match.
They are now unbeaten in normal time in five successive pre-season encounters while conceding a goal or fewer in two of their previous three pre-season affairs.
At the same time, the reigning MLS Supporters' Shield winners have not emerged victorious in 90 minutes in any of their last four matches.
Sunday will be the third game in charge for Javier Mascherano, who has yet to see his side have a lead, coming back from a goal down twice against America before winning in a shootout last week.
A season ago, they lost their three competitive away fixtures versus CONCACAF clubs outside the United States, with both defeats being against Mexican opposition.
Inter Miami have lost their last two matches after drawing first blood, both of which occurred in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs when Atlanta United eliminated them in the opening round.
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Team News
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Because of back problems, San Miguelito are likely to be without Samir Ramirez, who has been dealing with that lingering issue since early September.
We saw two new faces in their starting 11 from matchday one to two of their domestic campaign, with Adan Henricks and Jordan Giron replacing Oldemar Castillo and Kevin Galvan.
Marcos De Leon has started both of their league games between the sticks this season and did not concede a single goal in either of those encounters.
From their match with Club America to the one with Universitario, Miami made two changes to their starting 11, with Oscar Ustari replacing Rocco Rios Novo in goal and Tadeo Allende coming in for Robert Taylor.
Ian Fray, who missed a good portion of last season due to a meniscus injury, was back on the field Wednesday, coming on as a substitute for Jordi Alba with 10 minutes remaining, while Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were once again starting in a front two.
The only penalty miss on Wednesday came from Universitario's Jairo Velez, who rifled his effort over the bar, with Yannick Bright netting the winning kick from 12 yards out for the Herons.
Sporting San Miguelito possible starting lineup:
De Leon; Tunon, Nino, Cundumi, Hurtado; Tello; Castillo, Valencia, E. Giron, Valanta, Cox
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Ustari; Weigandt, Aviles, Allen, Alba; Gressel, Busquets, Redondo, Taylor; Messi, Suarez
We say: Sporting San Miguelito 0-3 Inter Miami
The Panamanians have been well-organised defensively, but have not had to contend with an opponent with as much overall quality and creativity like Miami.
If the Herons can find the back of the net once, which they should, we expect to see them have plenty more scoring opportunities and win easily.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
