Inter Miami will face Atlanta United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night, as 65,000 fans await the return of former Five Stripes figures Gerardo Martino and Josef Martinez.
Herons head coach Martino led Atlanta United in 2018, inspiring the team’s only Major League Soccer trophy with Martinez as the starting striker. The two made an incredible impact on the field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, making Saturday’s return even more special.
But Martino must put nostalgia aside and earn a positive result to stay in the fight for a playoff slot. Inter Miami currently sit in 14th place on the Eastern Conference table, six points shy from a postseason spot. And to make matters harder, the Herons will be without their star Lionel Messi as he stayed behind in South Florida due to fatigue.
GK: Drake Callender – The undoubted starting goalkeeper.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin – The former captain will retain his spot. Not necessarily due to skill, but somewhat a lack of options.
CB: Tomas Aviles – The young defender looks set to get the start again after playing comfortably against Sporting KC and Nashville.
CB: Kamal Miller – The Herons’ best option at center-back.
LB: Jordi Alba – Unlike Messi, Jordi Alba shows no signs of muscle fatigue and continues to be a staple in the starting 11.
CM: Dixon Arroyo – One of Miami’s most reliable players as of late.
CM: Sergio Busquets – Like Alba, Busquets will continue to start until he physically cannot.
CM: Benjamin Cremaschi – The versatile midfielder is back from international duty with the USMNT, making his way directly back to the starting 11.
RW: Facundo Farias – After scoring his first goal last time out, Farias is primed to get another shot up front with the lack of attacking players at hand for the game.
ST: Leonardo Campana – In the absence of Messi, Campana is bound to take over in the starting role. Though Josef Martinez continues to be an option, Campana showed his worth against Sporting KC.
LW: Robert Taylor – He’s back and should be featuring for Martino against Atlanta as Miami need a strong start without Messi.
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