Inter Miami will be looking for three points when they take on Philadelphia Union in an MLS match this weekend.
The Herons have stumbled in their last two games in league play, losing 3-1 to Atlanta United and earning a 3-3 draw with St Louis CITY. With Miami dropping points in recent weeks, they will be eager to get back into the win column but will have to do without a few key players.
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's starting team on Saturday night will look very different compared to the one that came out against St Louis two weeks ago as the Copa America and the Summer Olympics approach.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Matias Rojas and David Ruiz all took part in the Copa America with their countries, while youngster Benjamin Cremaschi took part in a training camp with the USA U-23 team in preparation for the Olympics – – and Martino will be without them for the upcoming games.
Here's how the Herons could play against the Union.
GK: Drake Callender – The USMNT reserve shot-stopper will be happy that his backline isn't really changing for the foreseeable future despite the upcoming international tournaments.
RB: Marcelo Weigandt – Weigandt gets another chance to prove himself at right back but he won't have Messi to link up down the right.
CB: Tomas Aviles – One of the most underrated linebackers in the league plays behind Ryan Sailor.
CB: Ryan Sailor – With Nicolas Freire out for the season and Serhiy Kryvtsov's status up in the air, Sailor will assume the left-back role.
LB: Jordi Alba – The former Spain international is also popular at left back, looking to play cut-back passes across the face of goal to players like Leo Campana and Leo Afonso.
CM: Julian Gressel – Gressel returns to the XI after coming off the bench to provide support for Jordi Alba vs St Louis.
CM: Sergio Busquets – The 35-year-old player will have to be careful throughout the game with the way he plays as he has four yellow cards. Don't be surprised if Martino decides to pull him in the middle of the second half, as he cannot lose to Busquets. his already depleted squad.
CM: Federico Redondo – One of Miami's newest additions starts in the middle of the park alongside Gressel and Busquets.
RW: Leo Afonso – A rare start for Afonso could be on the cards due to the lack of forwards available in Miami's squad.
ST: Leo Campana – With Luis Suarez out of the Copa America, Campana will be eager to prove what he can do up front in the next several games.
LW: Robert Taylor – The veteran player retains his place in the lineup and will hope to repeat his previous performances against the Vancouver Whitecaps where he managed one goal and one assist. Martino will look to lean on Taylor and Campana to shoulder the attacking responsibilities in the absence of Messi and Suarez.
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