Inter Miami returns to MLS action this Sunday, hosting FC Dallas. Lionel Messi`s team is aiming to defend their Supporters` Shield title. The Herons currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference but have games in hand, potentially allowing them to climb as high as second place, just one point behind leaders Philadelphia Union, with a win. This match, however, is strategically positioned between the two legs of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal against Vancouver Whitecaps, where Miami trails 2-0 from the first leg in Canada.
FC Dallas is experiencing a mixed start to their season. Their record is perfectly balanced at three wins, three draws, and three losses, placing them 10th in the Western Conference, just outside the current playoff spots. Securing a positive result in South Florida could signal progress in their first season under head coach Eric Quill.
Storylines
A major focus for every Inter Miami match, especially this weekend, is the availability of Lionel Messi. Many consider the midweek Concacaf Champions Cup ties against Vancouver Whitecaps to be the more critical fixtures. Messi played the full 90 minutes in the away leg in Canada on Thursday, a particularly long trip on an artificial turf surface.
Reports indicate that both Messi and Luiz Suarez were late to Saturday`s training session. Head coach Javier Mascherano mentioned Messi felt fatigued after Thursday`s game. This suggests player rotation is likely for Sunday`s match, a slight shift from Mascherano`s approach in a previous situation. Following their CCC quarterfinal first-leg loss to LAFC, Mascherano fielded a strong team in the subsequent MLS game (a 1-1 draw vs Toronto FC). Although that specific MLS result wasn`t ideal, their eventual 3-1 win in the return leg against LAFC ultimately justified prioritizing player availability in that instance.
Prediction
Despite the potential challenge posed by player rotation, Miami has shown they can achieve results even without Messi and Suarez at full capacity. While perhaps not the most exciting game, they are expected to overcome a relatively average Dallas side that is still adapting under their new coach. Pick: Inter Miami 1, FC Dallas 0
Adrian Whitmore 
Benedict Kingsley