How to Watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami vs. NYRB: Live Stream, TV Info, and Match Preview
Following a crushing 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps that marked their heaviest defeat of the season, Inter Miami have been eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in what many are calling the most significant match in the club’s history to date. The high-stakes clash, filled with anticipation and emotional investment, ended in disappointment for fans and players alike. Head coach Javier Mascherano now faces the challenge of regrouping his squad and shifting their focus back to MLS play.
Recovering from a high-profile exit is never easy—especially when emotions are still raw—but the road ahead in the Major League Soccer season offers plenty of opportunity for redemption. With key fixtures on the horizon and playoff aspirations still very much alive, Mascherano and his team will need to reset mentally, restore their confidence, and find consistency as they aim to prove that this setback is only a momentary pause in their larger ambitions.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami's calendar is only getting more demanding, with high-stakes competitions like the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup on the horizon this summer. These international and regional tournaments will place even greater pressure on the squad, making it imperative that they quickly rediscover their form in Major League Soccer. Regaining momentum in domestic play isn’t just about climbing the standings—it’s about building the confidence and cohesion needed to compete on multiple fronts.
A key piece of that puzzle will be reigniting the spark of striker Luis Suárez, whose performances have been closely watched since his arrival. Getting him back into scoring form could be the catalyst for a broader team resurgence. However, with two consecutive defeats across all competitions already weighing on them, the Herons are approaching a crucial juncture in their season. A third straight loss—especially at home against the New York Red Bulls—could deepen their slump and raise serious questions about their trajectory. For Javier Mascherano and his squad, the match is more than just a test of tactics; it’s a litmus test of their resilience and ability to respond under pressure.
Here are storylines, how you can watch the match, and more:
These teams last met almost a year ago today, and it was quite a match. The New York Red Bulls went into the half with a narrow one-goal lead via Dante Vanzier before Lionel Messi took over in the second half of play. With a goal and five assists, Messi was able to lead Miami to an eventual 6-2 victory that also included a second-half hat trick for Luis Suarez. That could bring a breath of fresh air into this match with Suarez needing to end a nine-game scoreless streak.
For Miami, they need to figure out who is next to help out in the attack after Messi and Javier Mascherano recognizes that. In his pre-match press conference, he spoke about that dependence and if Miami is going to perform in the biggest moments, they need help. Last season, Leonardo Campana, Robert Taylor and Suarez were able to do that, but so far this season, no one has stepped up to fill that second or third attacker role.
"In other words, when you have a player like Messi, you're clearly going to develop a dependency on him. It's impossible not to depend on him," Mascherano said. "It's clear that there are days when the team perhaps helps him more and other days when it helps him less."
The team will always look to Messi, and that's natural, but given that Messi is also a willing passer, more members of the Herons need to be getting into good spaces in order to utilize that. Miami's still in a good spot in the league standings, but they need to get back on track sooner rather than later due to how high expectations are surrounding the team.
Inter Miami: Oscar Ustari, Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Gonzalo Lujan, Marcelo Weigandt, Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Miguel, Omar Valencia, Noah Eile, Sean Nealis, Kyle Duncan, Peter Stroud, Filipe Carballo, Cameron Harper, Emil Forsberg, Wikelman Carmona, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Luis Suarez, Inter Miami: Last season, Suarez was in the running for the Golden Boot with 21 goals and nine assists in league play. This season, he now has one goal and five assists in the league. While the creativity has been useful, it was more when Tadeo Allende was scoring for fun to open up the season, and like Miami, it has now cooled off. With Suarez now being 38 and having a history of chronic knee injuries, a nine-match scoreless run does begin to raise concerns. it's something that's easy to end with a few goals, but both he and Miami needs them sooner rather than later.
Is this a blip or a rut for the Herons?: After such a big loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, it's important for Miami to show that this isn't a trend. Their loss to FC Dallas in their last MLS match is something that can be looked past due to being between their Concacaf Champions Cup fixtures, but when it comes to facing the Red Bulls, there's nothing on the horizon ahead and full focus needs to go to the match. Miami has dropped down to fifth in the Eastern Conference during this run, and even winning their game in hand, they can only climb as high as second, which would be a disappointment for a team expected to win everything in their path.
While the Red Bulls defense has been strong this season, their lack of goals is what's going to bite them here. Miami may have struggled defensively, but those struggles have been against teams with serious attacking power that the Red Bulls don't have. Even with just Messi scoring, one goal will be enough to win at home. Pick: Inter Miami 1, New York Red Bulls 0
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