Preview: Inter Miami vs. Atlas – prediction, team news, lineups

Match preview

 

Two years after their victory in this competition, Inter Miami begin their quest for a second title in three years when they host Mexican side Atlas on Wednesday.

 

The Herons enter the first of three matches against Liga MX clubs over the next week, aiming for a quick start to improve their chances of finishing in the top four of their section, which guarantees progression to the last eight in the tournament’s new format.

 

Although they are set to face Atlas, Necaxa and Pumas UNAM, points earned by Mascherano’s team will be tallied against the other 17 MLS clubs involved in the tournament.

 

The top four clubs will qualify — the same process will be applied among the 18 other Liga MX teams to determine which will finish in the coveted four spots.

 

Inter Miami enter Wednesday’s game in mixed form, having won just one of their last three MLS matches — a 5-1 thrashing of the New York Red Bulls — sandwiched between a 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati and a goalless draw over the weekend against the same team in Florida.

 

Nevertheless, Messi’s expected return to action in the Leagues Cup should give the Herons a boost against the Mexican side.

 

 

Atlas stand in the way of the 2023 champions securing the points, as they themselves look to start their campaign with a positive result against the Herons.

 

In the previous format, the Red and Blacks always made it to the knockout rounds, losing to the New England Revolution in 2023 and Club America last year, and aim to at least match their previous showing by ending among the top four Mexican sides in their section.

 

With matches against Orlando City and Atlanta United, an encouraging result against the Messi-led outfit theoretically stands Gonzalo Pineda’s team in good stead.

 

However, like the Herons, Atlas’ previous results have been mixed, as Los Rojinegros have won just one of their past four matches in all competitions.

 

Further underlining their mixed results are the absence of clean sheets, with the Mexican outfit not keeping a competitive shutout since holding Pachuca to a goalless encounter in February.

 

Considering their 15-match run without preventing their opponents from scoring, the travelling fans could be forgiven for expecting little ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Florida.

 

Inter Miami form (all competitions):