After capturing the first trophy in club history, Inter Miami and Lionel Messi now set their sights on their next challenge and potential title: taking on FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semi-final.
The starting lineup that head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino chose last time out against Nashville SC got the job done, but a few players may start to look over their shoulders with the amount of new signings the Herons made in the summer.
Martino will probably pick a similar lineup to the one that won Leagues Cup at GEODIS Park, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise if players like Facundo Farias and Tomas Aviles got thrown in the mix. Although it would make sense to rest some of the key players in the squad, Martino will not want to risk missing the final by putting out a weaker lineup to face Cincinnati.
However, If any players are to be rested, it would more than likely happen during MLS play, especially if Miami have made up significant ground in the race for a postseason spot.
GK: Drake Callender – Throughout Leagues Cup, Callender showed the many viewers from around the world just how good he is, and he’s now become an integral part to Miami’s side – especially after his heroics in the final.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin – The USMNT figure has become a leader in the Miami dressing room, and Messi acknowledged that by co-lifting the Leagues Cup trophy Saturday night.
CB: Serhiy Kryvstov – One of the players who could lose their place in the starting XI with all the young talent coming through from South America, as Aviles could get some minutes in the near future. Nonetheless, Kryvstov had a solid Leagues Cup campaign and was excellent leading up to and in the final.
CB: Kamal Miller – Currently the Herons’ best option at center-back, and he’s been in fine form as of late.
LB: Jordi Alba – The 34-year-old has improved in the defensive aspect in recent games with the herons, and his overlapping runs that lead to cut-back passes have been a joy to watch. But is there a chance for the young Noah Allen to start the game at left-back?
CM: Dixon Arroyo – The Ecuador international has been the heartbeat of the Miami midfield, doing much of the dirty work alongside Sergio Busquets.
CM: Sergio Busquets – After playing a final and making seven consecutive appearances for the Herons, there might be some whispers about Busquets getting the night off vs Cincinnati. But the Barcelona legend is too valuable in the middle of the park to be rested, especially in another semi-final.
CM: Diego Gomez – The young midfielder has often taken up the same position as Benjamin Cremaschi in midfield, playing higher up the pitch when compared to Arroyo and Busquets. With Martino keen to create competition amongst the squad, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Gomez in the XI.
RW: Lionel Messi – Martino confirmed that the 36-year-old will start against Cincy, despite claims that he could be rested. Messi is loving life in south Florida, as he’s scored 10 goals in seven appearances while picking up a piece of silverware along the way.
ST: Josef Martinez – Another player who came to life during Leagues Cup, as Martinez showed his quality on several occasions and reminded everyone that he’s still a top striker in MLS. The former Atlanta United player has already shown great chemisty with Messi, too.
LW: Robert Taylor – Like Martinez, the 28-year-old has enjoyed a successful last month or so, scoring four goals and three assists during Leagues Cup to make the left-wing position his.
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