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The Herons Kick Off Busy Two Week Schedule With Toronto FC

+ David Beckham's Netflix docu-series

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

MATCHDAY

vs. Toronto FC

Start time: 7:39 PM EST

Where to watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass

Injuries: Miami: Gregore (Lisfranc), Ian Fray (ACL), Corentin Jean (ACL), Franco Negri (ACL) Toronto FC: Adama Diomande (lower body), Sean Johnson (hand surgery), Cristian Gutierrez (lower body), Cassius Mailula (lower body), Greg Ranjitsingh (knee surgery), Prince Owusu (lower body)

Line: MIA -255 | Draw +400 | TOR +550

Matches To Monitor: DC United vs. Atlanta United, Wednesday, 7:30 PM EST, Apple TV - MLS Season Pass

Good morning! It’s game day in South Florida as Inter Miami hosts Toronto FC in a clash that could have potential playoff implications for the Herons.

The big question heading into tonight’s match, however, is whether Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will play.

In the email today:

  1. 👨‍⚕️ Tata Martino’s Statement On Messi’s Health

  2. 🏆 Searching for US Open Cup Glory

  3. 😲 Lazio’s Goalkeeper Goes Full Haaland

  4. 📊 Poll: Can Miami Win Tonight?

  5. 🔗 Link Roundup

1) 👨‍⚕️ Tata Martino’s Statement On Messi’s Health

Yesterday, Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino released a statement discussing Messi’s status ahead of tonight’s match vs. TFC:

We have a lot of important matches in a short window of time, and one of my responsibilities as the coach is to care for my players and help them make the hard decisions that will give us the best chance of keeping everyone healthy during this busy run. Regarding Messi and Alba both players will train in the full session today with the team and after that we’ll see if they’re available to play and to what extent.”

Though many believe the World Cup winner would start, Martino’s vague comments have thrown Messi’s participation in tonight’s match into question. The smoke and mirrors surrounding Messi’s condition have been ongoing for a couple of weeks now.

Miami is in a balancing act.

Do they sacrifice the health of their players to make the playoffs? Or do they focus on winning the US Open Cup?

  • Messi hasn’t played for Inter Miami since the team’s 3-1 win over LAFC on September 3rd.

  • It’s evident that the team is prioritizing the health of key players ahead of the US Open Cup Final on the 27th.

  • If Messi doesn’t start, he will most likely come off the bench.

Our take: As stated in yesterday’s newsletter, the feeling around the media is that Messi will play limited minutes tonight, especially after Martino’s statement. But, knowing how competitive the Argentine is, it’s difficult to see Messi not starting.

2) 🏆 Searching for US Open Cup Glory

The US Open Cup Final is only a week away! Miami has the opportunity to win their second trophy in club history as they host the Houston Dynamo at DRV PNK Stadium.

With two games before the Herons suit up before the final, the biggest talking point heading into the match is rest and rotation for several key players.

  • Should Messi and Alba play tonight against Toronto, there is a high likelihood that they could be rested when the team takes on rival Orlando City in four days.

  • The chance to win another trophy this year is high on the club’s priority list.

  • A possible win in the final will see Miami cap off a landmark, turnaround season.

Our take: Winning the Open Cup would be an incredible achievement. If Miami manages to get it done, then 2023 will be a year to remember for the South Florida club.

3) 😲 Lazio’s Goalkeeper Goes Full Haaland

In the dying seconds of their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, Lazio desperately needed a goal. Up steps their goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, who scores the game-tying header with authority.

4) 📊 Poll: Can Miami Win Tonight?

 

Will Miami Pull Off A Win Tonight?

Choose one:

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow.

Results from our last poll, Will Messi Play: 100% said Messi will play tonight.

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

The newsletter today was written by: Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Thanks for reading! Catch you on the flip side!