After seeing their 10-game unbeaten run ended in midweek, Inter Miami aim to bounce straight back on Saturday, when they welcome St Louis City to Chase Stadium.
Still top of both the MLS Supporters' Shield standings and the Eastern Conference, Inter meet opponents struggling to replicate last year's superb start to life in Major League Soccer.
Match preview
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With a 2-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps last week, league-leading Inter Miami took their undefeated streak into double figures, having won seven and drawn three games en route to a club-record 10-match run in the MLS regular season.
However, that sequence came to an abrupt end on Wednesday evening, as an Atlanta United side who were winless in nine league games upset the Herons on home turf, countering their hosts clinically and winning 3-1 in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami may have bossed the ball but were some way below their brilliant best, and Tata Martino's men could not turn the game around - a worry for the Argentinian coach, as captain Lionel Messi and several other key contributors will soon depart for international duty.
Messi did get on the scoresheet in midweek - and is now level on 11 MLS goals with teammate Luis Suarez - but he will want to get back to winning ways before preparing for the Copa America by playing in Argentina's two June friendlies.
Though their air of invincibility took a hit last time out, Messi's Inter side remain top of the Eastern Conference as Cincinnati also lost - but the Herons have played one game more and their lead is just one point.
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Seeking another trip to the MLS playoffs, following a record-setting debut season in 2023, St Louis City have proved unable to match last year's brilliance and are currently mired in mid-table mediocrity.
The Missouri club recently slipped down to 11th in the Western Conference, trailing behind in the race for a playoff place after suffering three straight defeats.
St Louis were beaten for the second time in three days when losing 3-1 to Cincinnati on Sunday, then a lack of precision in the final third cost them dearly in a midweek defeat to Seattle Sounders, who climbed above Bradley Carnell's side as a result.
After conceding twice in four minutes midway through the second half at CityPark, Tomas Totland managed to pull one back late on, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.
Now, City take on the formidable force of Inter Miami in Florida; having recorded no wins, four draws and two losses on the road so far this season, they will travel south in hope rather than expectation.
Team News
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Tata Martino made several changes to his lineup in midweek, with Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez returning, while Leonardo Campana and Matias Rojas were among those making way.
Federico Redondo made his first start since being sidelined by a knee injury in March and may continue in central midfield, alongside Busquets.
Though Facundo Farias will not return this season after tearing his ACL, Diego Gomez is close to recovering from an ankle injury but is not yet available.
While Miami skipper Lionel Messi has a league-leading 23 goal contributions to his name in 2024 (11 goals and 12 assists), Brazilian striker Klauss is top scorer for St Louis this term, with a more modest five MLS strikes so far.
Due to their lack of firepower, the Missouri club recently signed attacking midfielder Cedric Teuchert, but he must wait until the transfer window opens in July before making his debut.
Teuchert's compatriot Eduard Lowen emerged from the bench to set up Tomas Totland's goal on Wednesday, so will hope to start in Fort Lauderdale: the German now has 18 goal involvements from 18 games at CityPark since signing but has proved less effective away from home.
While Lowen recently returned from a layoff, Joshua Yaro has yet to feature since overcoming his hamstring injury; if passed fit, the full-back could replace Canada international Kyle Hiebert, who scored an own goal in midweek.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba; Gressel, Busquets, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Rojas
St Louis City possible starting lineup:
Burki; Totland, Parker, Nilsson, Hiebert; Kijima, Blom; Alm, Vassilev, Pompeu; Klauss
We say: Inter Miami 2-0 St Louis City
After a blip last time out, Inter Miami should be focused on making amends; therefore, struggling St Louis City may pay the price.
The visitors have not travelled well in 2024, while their hosts are sure to score at least once, given an abundance of attacking talent.
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Jonathan O'Shea
