da realbet： The squad is nowhere near as strong as it will be, which gives coach Tata Martino some difficult choices to make
da dobrowin： Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have arrived. Inter Miami's new era has begun. It'll officially kick off on Friday night against Cruz Azul in the club's first-ever Leagues Cup game, which will also serve as the debut of the club's new legendary signings, either as starters or off the bench.
Still, while most of the legwork has been done, Miami remain an unfinished team. Jordi Alba is on his way, as are several other Gerardo 'Tata' Martino signings, but the team currently assembled is far from the one that will likely finish the 2023 MLS season.
Because of that, Martino has some shuffling to do. Miami are in last place in the Eastern Conference, and they're there for a reason. This team, quite frankly, isn't very good, although the arrivals of Messi and Busquets will no doubt take them to a new level.
Others will be on their way soon, but Friday night's battle with Cruz Azul isn't about that; it's about Messi and Busquets. All eyes will be on this game as the two superstars take the field for the first time in what will be a historic moment for Miami, MLS and American soccer in general.
But, Messi and Busquets aside, what will Martino do with his XI? What players could we see next to them in the XI? GOAL takes a look…
GettyGK: Drake Callender
The team's regular No.1, Callender is a player who has really risen through the ranks in Miami. He's been their first-choice goalkeeper for a season-and-a-half now, having been with the club since the beginning, and has earned U.S. men's national team looks. He'll be the team's starter for the foreseeable future.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLB: Noah Allen
The teenager is keeping this spot warm until Jordi Alba gets involved. Once the ex-Barcelona man arrives, there's no doubt who will be starting in this position. Until then, the 19-year-old defender could hold down this spot, with previous starter Franco Negri out with an ACL tear.
GettyCB: Kamal Miller
Miller was Miami's big in-season signing until he absolutely wasn't a few weeks ago! The Canada international is back from the Gold Cup and has been a key player for Miami since arriving in a trade from CF Montreal earlier this season.
GettyCB: Sergiy Kryvtsov
A veteran Ukraine international, Kryvtsov has been a regular since joining the club earlier this year. He's started 19 of the club's 22 games so far and will likely be very, very excited to have a player like Busquets in front of him as a new midfield shield.