DC United v Inter Miami: Line-ups, stats and preview
Full MLS preview as DC United host Inter Miami
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DC United v Inter Miami Preview
Fresh from a trip to the White House for an audience with Donald Trump, Inter Miami travel to the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on DC United on Saturday.
The MLS Cup holders have started their 2026 campaign with a win and a defeat from their opening two matches, bouncing back from a 3-0 loss at LAFC to overcome Orlando City 4-2 courtesy of a Lionel Messi brace.
DC have started their season in similar fashion, with a win and a defeat against Philadelphia and Austin, respectively.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has backed the experience of his squad, despite losing Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – who both retired at the end of last season – and the team beginning this campaign in far from convincing fashion.
“Clearly, as a coach, one tries to bring order to the team. That’s what I’m here for, right? But hey, I’m not going to be teaching these kinds of players how to play football,” said Mascherano.
“They have already have a track record and experience. It allowed us, in the end, to see contagious football.
“There are a lot of things, perhaps many times we get caught up in analysing football too much.
“Football has other things that perhaps at first glance are not noticeable, which are emotions.
“When you play with your heart in your hand, a good dynamic in achieved. Clearly we have good players; we are lucky to have a team with great players, and when they start to infect each other, what happened happens.”
Mascherano singled out praise for Messi, describing his compatriot, who is looking to reach 900 career goals, as “one of a kind”.
Messi currently boasts 898 goals since making his professional debut with Barcelona back in 2003.
“[I am] a privileged spectator, nothing more, nothing less,” Mascherano said.
“I haven’t contributed much to him scoring goals, neither with assists nor now as a coach. I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all, and that’s a privilege. The number we’re talking about [900] is insane, and that’s why Leo is a one of a kind.”
DC, who finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, will be hoping for an improved return this term after winning just five league games in 2025.
Manager Rene Weiler said the match against the champions will be “the benchmark for the league”.
“They [Miami] have very good players. We have to be aware for 90 minutes,” he said.
“We have to defend perfectly otherwise we can’t get a good result.”
DC United v Inter Miami team news
Injuries to Gabriel Segal and Aaron Herrera may see them sidelined for DC United, while Bibi Hakim Karamoko is a doubt due to illness.
For Miami, there are only really two likely absentees through injury.
Striker Luis Suarez could be doubtful as he recovers from a lower leg problem, while Sergio Reguilon is likely to miss out because of a knee injury.
DC United v Inter Miami predicted line-ups
DC United starting XI: Johnson; Hefti, Rowles, Bartlett, Kurokawa; Stroud, Peltola, Servania, Peglow; Pirani, Baribo
Inter Miami starting XI: St. Clair; Mura, Falcon, Micael, Allen; De Paul, Bright; Allende, Messi, Segovia; Berterame
Where to watch DC United v Inter Miami: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Saturday is at 16:30 ET (13:30 PT / 21:30 GMT), with live coverage available through Apple TV.
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DC United v Inter Miami stats
- Miami are unbeaten in their last five meetings with DC United (W3 D2) after recording only one win in their first six matchups (D1 L4)
- Including playoff matches, Messi scored 35 goals in the MLS last season – five more than DC United scored in their entire league campaign.
- Both teams are three points behind league leaders NY Red Bulls after two matches
- Despite being seventh in the table, Miami are the league joint top scorers with four goals so far this term
DC United v Inter Miami prediction
DC United
Inter Miami
Miami’s success last season and recent record against their hosts will make them form favourites for this one. Messi remains Miami’s main man and will be looking to add to his MLS goal tally this term.
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