Inter Miami vs Colorado Rapids: What to expect, projected outcomes, and expected player selections

Inter Miami play host to Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer action this Saturday at Chase Stadium.

The Herons have stumbled in their last three contests with two defeats and a draw without superstar Lionel Messi. Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side fell to New York Red Bulls and were held to a draw last weekend against NYCFC before conceding two second-half goals to Liga MX giants Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarter-finals to seal a 2-1 defeat. Miami supporters will hope their Argentine star will return to the mix for the first time since March 13 after picking up a hamstring injury against Nashville SC.

The other side of the matchup sees the Rapids travel down south from the Rocky Mountains, and first-year boss Chris Armas brings a little momentum into the primetime clash. Colorado scored twice within the final 10 minutes of normal time to take down LAFC 3-2 last weekend, with new signing Djordje Mihailovic bagging his first two goals for the club in his second stint in MLS.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the south Florida side vs the Rapids.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Inter Miami and Colorado Rapids.

Martino confirmed earlier this week that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is close to a return after missing nearly a month. The Barcelona legend took part in team training on Friday and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to at least expect Messi to be included in Miami’s matchday squad after he appears to have recovered from his hamstring injury.

The versatile Benjamin Cremaschi is also closing in on a return after he looks to have recovered from his sports hernia operation that he underwent right before the start of the MLS season. Serhiy Kryvstov and Federico Redondo remain out as they continue recovering from their respective hamstring and knee injuries.

Miami’s attacking depth continues to shrink after Robert Taylor picked up what looked like a muscle injury during the first half against Monterrey. The Finland international was unable to continue and was substituted off before half-time, and his status for Saturday’s match is in the air.

Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Colorado Rapids (4-3-3): Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Freire, Alba; Ruiz, Busquets, Gomez; Messi, Suarez, Alfonso.

Colorado’s Connor Ronan and Jonathan Lewis both remain out of action with knee injuries and are expected to return next month. Jasper Loffelsend is also out with a hamstring injury and is on course to return later this month.

Colorado Rapids predicted lineup vs Inter Miami (4-2-3-1): Steffen; Rosenberry, Bombito, Maxso, Vines; Bassett, Larraz; Harris, Mihailovic, Fernandez; Navarro.

Should Messi return to the mix, Miami will be big favorites to land three points at home with their star forward. Miami’s defense and midfield are as strong as they’ve been in the entire season, and Messi would provide a much-needed boost for the frontline alongside his friend Luis Suarez.

Miami will jump out to an early lead but will be pegged back – twice – by a feisty Rapids side that’s still finding their identify under Armas. It will be a frustrating night for Miami who will be full of joy to have Messi back in the side, but the points will be shared due to the resilience of the visiting Rapids.

Prediction: Inter Miami 2-2 Colorado Rapids