Sports
Lineups, team news, confirmed starting teams ahead of MLS Eastern Conference Final
Inter Miami take on New York City in the MLS Eastern Conference final with a place in the MLS Cup the prize for the winner.
All eyes will again be on Lionel Messi as the 38-year-old leads Miami out at Chase Stadium in what will be the club’s first-ever appearance in a Conference final.
Javier Mascherano’s side were dominant in a 4–0 win over FC Cincinnati in the previous round, while Messi has scored six goals in the playoffs alone.
Miami has the best overall record in the MLS in 2024 but were defeated by Atlanta United in round one of the postseason.
Former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will both retire at the end of the season and will be hoping for one last piece of silverware to add to their already-enviable trophy haul.
Inter Miami team news
The hosts’ line-up is largely unsurprising. Ther former Barcelona trip of Alba, Busquets and Messi all start, while fellow Argentine World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul brings added pedigree to an already vastly-experienced team.
Mateo Silvetti continues to partner Messi in attack with former Liverpool man Luis Suarez on the bench.
New York City team news
The one change to the New York team that started the 1-0 semi-final win over Philadelphia sees Aiden O’Neill return from suspension.
The midfielder replaces Hannes Wolf.
New York’s top scorer, Alonso Martinez, is absent with a knee injury.
How to watch Inter Miami v NYCFC: TV and online streams
The match is available to stream in the UK on Apple TV.
Stats for Inter Miami v NYCFC
- Lionel Messi has a league leading six goals and six assists in the Playofffs
- Inter Miami won the last meeting of the sides 4-0 in September
