Inter Miami will be back on the field this Friday for their last preseason match against Orlando City at Raymond James Stadium. With the 2025 season around the corner, this final warm-up will see the Herons fine-tuning their preparations for a busy schedule ahead, with Lionel Messi leading the charge.
Lionel Messi will start for the final preseason game
This Friday’s match marks the end of Inter Miami's preseason, and head coach Javier Mascherano is expected to put out his strongest lineup. With the team gearing up for their official season opener next Tuesday, February 18, against Sporting Kansas City in the Concacaf Champions Cup, all eyes will be on Messi, who is likely to start alongside his star teammate, Luis Suarez.
Inter Miami has been in outstanding form throughout their preseason matches, remaining unbeaten so far. The Herons kicked off their preparations by overcoming Club America of Mexico in a dramatic penalty shootout (3-2). They followed up that win by defeating Universitario of Peru (5-4 in penalties), securing a 3-1 victory over Panama’s Sporting Miguelito, and finishing strong with a dominant 5-0 win against Olimpia of Honduras.
Orlando City’s preseason struggles
In contrast, Orlando City’s preseason has been less eventful. The Lions have played just two matches, both of which ended in goalless draws.
They lost to Atletico Mineiro of Brazil in a penalty shootout and drew 0-0 against Canada’s Forge FC. Despite these results, Orlando will be eager to turn things around in their final preseason match against Miami.
Probable lineups for Friday’s friendly
For this match, Javier Mascherano is likely to start a strong lineup for Inter Miami, featuring:
Oscar Ustari (Goalkeeper)
Marcelo Weigandt, Tomas Aviles, David Martinez, Jordi Alba (Defenders)
Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo, Fafa Picault (Midfielders)
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez (Forwards)
Meanwhile, Orlando City’s head coach, Oscar Pareja, is expected to field the following lineup:
Pedro Gallese (Goalkeeper)
Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, Rafael Santos (Defenders)
Yutaro Tsukada, Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena, Marco Pasalic (Midfielders)
Martín Ojeda, Luis Muriel (Forwards)
The Road to the Concacaf Champions Cup
After this preseason finale, Inter Miami will focus on the Concacaf Champions Cup, with their first leg match against Sporting Kansas City set for Tuesday, February 18. The return leg will be held on Tuesday, February 25, at home. The winner of the two-legged series will progress to the round of 16 to face Jamaica's Cavalier FC.
In between these fixtures, Messi and Inter Miami will play their first match of the 2025 Major League Soccer season on Saturday, February 22, when they travel to face New York City FC.