Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Real Salt Lake - MLS
- Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake clash for the first time ever
- Tata Martino should have most of his squad available for selection
- Messi, Suarez and Busquets expected to feature in the first contest of the regular season
Inter Miami's veteran stars are expected to be fully fit for their first game of the 2024 Major League Soccer season against Real Salt Lake.
The Herons are set to kick-off the 29th MLS season at home against RSL, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets all expected to start the primetime contest. The trio picked up their separate knocks while on the team's preseason international tour, but the Barcelona legends appeared to have recovered in time with Messi and Suarez both playing 60 minutes against Newell's Old Boys last week.
With midfielder Gregore's departure to Brazil, Julian Gressel and David Ruiz are near certainties to start in the middle of the park alongside Busquets, while Diego Gomez's outstanding performances with the Paraguay Under-23s should see him slot straight into the Miami lineup on the left wing.
Here's Inter Miami's predicted lineup.
Inter Miami predicted lineup vs Real Salt Lake ( 4-3-3 )
GK: Drake Callender - The team's best shot-stopper is set to man the goalposts for another season.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin - Some might argue that Julian Gressel should take up shop at right-back, but Yedlin is more suited to a traditional full-back role than the ex-Columbus Crew player.
CB: Tomas Aviles - One of the league's most promising players in defense gets the starting nod.
CB: Nicolas Freire - Although not fully fit, expect the Pumas loan star to get a good chunk of minutes from the first whistle.
LB: Jordi Alba - The veteran Spaniard is the only former Barcelona star not to pick up an injury during the preseason tour. Could be crucial to Miami's success this season with marauding runs and cut-back passes.
CM: David Ruiz - Came on strong towards the end of the 2023 season and has earned a spot in the lineup after a bright preseason showing.
CM: Sergio Busquets - Despite picking up an ankle injury against Vissel Kobe, Busquets looks to have recovered to be the player at the heart of the midfield.
CM: Julian Gressel - The former Atlanta United wing-back is set to feature in a more central role this season.
RW: Lionel Messi - All eyes will be on the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as he looks to begin the 2024 season in style.
ST: Luis Suarez - El Pistolero officially begins a new chapter in his non-European adventure.
LW: Diego Gomez - Stellar performances at the Conmebol Pre-Olympic tournament have earned him a place up front next to Suarez and Messi.
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