Inter Miami is set to face DC United in their third match of a challenging five-game MLS road trip. This encounter will take place on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. After a 4-2 victory over Orlando City, the reigning champions have climbed to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, sharing points with DC United, who currently sit sixth after a narrow 1-0 loss at Austin FC.
Match Preview and Current Form
It’s still early in the 2026 season for DC United under coach Rene Weiler. They have shown promising signs, especially considering their struggles in the previous year. Over two games this season, the team has only conceded a single goal, a significant improvement from their performance in 2025, where they allowed a league-high 66 goals.
DC United achieved a 1-0 victory in their season opener against the Philadelphia Union, marking the end of an 11-match home winless streak in the league. A second consecutive home win on Saturday would be their first since April-May 2023. Historically, DC has performed well against Florida-based clubs, securing draws against Inter Miami and Orlando City last season.
Inter Miami’s Road to Recovery
After a tough start that included a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami rebounded impressively. The team secured two wins in their last three away games and aims to achieve back-to-back road shutouts for the first time since April of last year. Under captain Javier Mascherano, the team has consistently triumphed in away matches when scoring multiple goals, boasting a perfect six-game winning streak in such scenarios.
Despite a slow start this season, Inter Miami remains unbeaten in their last four away matches against Eastern Conference teams. They have also claimed points in their last five MLS encounters with DC United, including four straight unbeaten matches on the road against them.
Team News
- DC United:
- Gabriel Segal and Aaron Herrera are likely out due to lower leg injuries.
- Bibi Hakim Karamoko is questionable due to illness.
- New additions Jared Stroud and Hosei Kijima started in the last match.
- Inter Miami:
- Luis Suarez is doubtful with a lower leg injury.
- Sergio Reguilon is expected to miss the game due to a knee injury.
- Lionel Messi scored twice in their last match, contributing significantly to their success.
Possible Lineups
| DC United | Inter Miami |
|---|---|
| Johnson | St. Clair |
| Hefti | Mura |
| Rowles | Falcon |
| Bartlett | Micael |
| Kurokawa | Allen |
| Stroud | De Paul |
| Peltola | Bright |
| Servania | Allende |
| Peglow | Messi |
| Pirani | Segovia |
| Baribo | Berterame |
As the match approaches, expectations lean heavily in favor of Inter Miami, particularly with the presence of Lionel Messi. Fans and analysts alike predict a challenging encounter for DC United, who may need to prepare for an intense performance from the reigning champions.
