Who: Philadelphia Union (1st place, 12 points, record 4-0-1) vs. Inter Miami (3rd place, 10 points, 3-1-0)
What: 2025 regular season game
Where: Chase Stadium
When: Saturday, March 29, 7:30 PM
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, Listen in on 97.5 FM
Whistle: Rosendo Mendoza, Eric Weisbrod, Kevin Klinger, Marcos DeOliveira, VAR: Kevin Stott, Kathryn Nesbitt

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

The Union returned to winning ways at Subaru Park against Saint Louis City last week, even with a depleted squad due to national team commitments for seven players. They head down to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to take on undefeated Inter Miami (3-1-0), who had a bye on match day five. 

Miami has beaten the Union in their last three clashes, dating back to the 2023 Leagues Cup semifinal. Admittedly, both of their meetings in 2024 were also appearances for Union backup goalkeepers Andrew Rick and Oliver Semmle. With their bye during last week’s international window, Miami will have mostly fresh legs and look to continue their undefeated streak to start the season. 

A win in Miami would prove Bradley Carnell’s side to be a legitimate force to be reckoned with, and they will look to do just that. 

Scouting Report: Inter Miami

The biggest question for Inter Miami is whether or not Lionel Messi will return for this match. He has been dealing with some pain in his abductor and opted to step down from the Argentinian national team for this past window in favor of taking the off week with his club team and recovering. He has missed three of Miami’s eight matches this year, and Miami remains undefeated in all competitions. Logic would suggest that he is not thrown immediately into the starting lineup but rather substituted later in the match to manage his minutes. 

Miami head coach Javier Mascherano stated Friday morning that it will be a game-day decision as to whether or not Messi will start. 

Whether he plays or not, this year’s Herons squad is composed of plenty of bright talents who can combine without him there, as well as three other former FC Barcelona stars in Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets. They are confident against anything an opponent throws at them and can adjust accordingly to changes mid-match. 

It is worth noting that the Herons have received a red card in three of their four MLS matches so far. Even with two of those occurring in the first half, they were able to adjust tactically and get at least one point out of those matches. 

Miami will play LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup just four days after their match against the Union, so they may look to rest some players or limit their minutes ahead of that away match. This is more reason against giving Messi too many minutes against Philadelphia. 

• Player Availability:Tadeo Allende – Calf (Out), David Martinez – Adductor (Out), David Ruiz – Hamstring (Out), Ryan Sailor – Concussion Protocol (Out), Marcelo Weigandt – Hamstring (Questionable)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

With Andre Blake returning from Gold Cup qualifiers with Jamaica, it will be his first contest against the reigning Supporter’s Shield winners since 2023. There were speculations about his readiness for this weekend’s match after a pair of knocks he took in the second leg of Jamaica’s Gold Cup Qualifying match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In Thursday afternoon’s pregame press conference, Bradley Carnell affirmed that Blake was healthy and should be ready to go, but was careful not to say that he was fully fit. Blake’s presence in the net would make this a much more comfortable outing for Philadelphia, but if he were, for any reason, unable to go for the full 90, both backup goalkeepers have faced Miami in the last year. 

The Union will continue to play in their high-pressing system, but there will be more asked of the two holding midfielders, likely Jovan Lukic and Danley Jean Jacques, in both getting forward with the ball and keeping Miami’s star-studded attack at bay.

Tai Baribo, after just a cameo for Israel in last week’s international window, will look to increase his cushion at the top of the golden boot list, whether he starts the match or comes off the bench. The other Union players who represented their nations last week, with the exception of Jesus Bueno, who will join the team in Miami, are back with the team and have trained with the squad ahead of the match. 

• Player Availability:Kai Wagner – Abdominal (Questionable)

Key Matchup: MIA Offense vs PHI Defense

Miami’s attack, led by Luis Suarez, is going to try and break apart the Union defense, which has been rotated quite a bit in the last week. They will look to take advantage of any mistakes in the backline, like Messi’s goal against Atlanta United two weeks ago. The Philadelphia defense will need to play cleanly and quickly in possession to avoid being caught off guard. 

Player to Watch:  Jovan Lukic

Philadelphia’s defense is going to have their hands full against the Miami attack, but the key players might end up being in the double-pivot just ahead of them. Jovan Lukic has been incredible in this role so far this season, not just with his two goals but also his work on cutting short opponents’ counterattacks alongside Danley Jean Jacques. Lukic has another chance to show up big against Miami in a game that many will be watching. 

Prediction: 2-1 Union

This has the makings to be a very entertaining match. Philadelphia proved last week that even without their first-choice players, they are capable of getting an early go-ahead goal and holding on to the lead by controlling possession and limiting their opponent’s chances. Miami has much more attacking firepower than St. Louis last week, and they will likely be able to break through the Union defense at some point. This match could really go in any direction, but the Union does have a chance to end their losing streak against the Herons.