Inter Miami's Playoff Hopes on the Line as They Prepare to Host Toronto FC

Good morning! Inter Miami is gearing up to host Toronto FC as they set their sights on the playoffs.

The good news here is that the Herons might (heavily stressing might,) have Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba back on the field just in time for this important period.

If the team decides not to field the Argentine on Wednesday, it’s likely that they are resting him for the upcoming US Open Cup Final set to take place on the 27th.

In the email today:

The team's upcoming schedule will be challenging, with four matches scheduled over the next 11 days.

The grueling stretch begins tomorrow with a home game against Toronto, followed by a trip to central Florida to take on Orlando City. Then, they return home to play the Open Cup Final against the Houston Dynamo, before finally concluding the stretch with a home game against NYCFC.

• Inter Miami's coaching staff is facing a tough decision with the US Open Cup Final only 8 days away.

• Messi has not featured since the club’s 3-1 win against LAFC on September 3rd.

• The feeling amongst the media is that there is a high likelihood that Messi could be rested even further, as the team places a high priority on the Open Cup. 

Our take: While it appears that Messi may be available to play against Toronto, head coach Tata Martino has been cryptic, giving little to no information about whether or not the World Cup winner will be on the field. It remains to be seen what the ultimate decision will be.

2) 🏟️ A Miami Freedom Park Update You Might Have Missed

Late last month, Inter Miami announced that construction officially started on their long-time stadium project, Miami Freedom Park.

However, it isn’t exactly the kind of construction you’re thinking of. Before any concrete can be poured, or steel bars dug into the ground, the site first must undergo park rehabilitation.

• Due to its proximity to Miami International Airport, height approval from the county aviation department is required.

• The site was once an incinerator dumping ground and needs to be cleaned up for pesticide, lead, and arsenic contamination.

• The team has stated in a press release that a groundbreaking ceremony will take place later this year.

Our take: Once completed, Miami Freedom Park will be one of the more ambitious stadium projects in MLS.

If construction gets finished in time, Messi could play his final season for Miami in the stadium.

3) 🧔‍♂️ Tweet of the Day: Messi Shaves!

The Inter Miami social media team tweeted out some photos of the players at practice, one of which featured a clean-shaven Messi.

4) 📊 Poll: Should Lionel Messi Take on Toronto?

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

5) 🔗 Link Roundup:

• ⚽ On Sunday, Inter Miami CF II lost to Atlanta United 2 on penalties in MLS Next Pro play, despite midfielder Lawson Sunderland scoring twice.

• 🤜 CF Montreal midfielder Matko Miljevic has had his contract terminated by the league due to an off-the-pitch incident where he punched a player while playing in an amateur league.

• 🌍 The UEFA Champions League returns today with Manchester City, the reigning champions, starting their campaign against Serbian side FK Crvena Zvezda.

The newsletter today was written by: Alex Windley @aaw_1998

Thanks for reading! Catch you on the flip side!