Off-field issues won't deter Inter Miami on it
Neither Inter Miami nor DC United have made a great start to their MLS Eastern Conference season, and the two sides will meet head-to-head at the DRV PNK Stadium outside even the Final Series play-off places. Head coach Phil Neville has had to contend with a number of off-field distractions in the run-up to the weekend's match, not least of which has seen the franchise fined $2,000,000 for the signing of French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi after an investigation by the league organisers found he'd been receiving a higher salary than stipulated. Meanwhile, Hernán Losada's troops will head south to Florida missing at least six players from their roster, a factor Gonzalo Higuaín and co. are unlikely to show much sympathy for. Read our preview here:
Morgan free man
In amongst the usual disparate array of seasoned globetrotting veterans and native rookies are a number of relatively low-profile players that have been performing admirably despite the collective stumble out of the starting blocks. 24 year old Scottish winger Lewis Morgan is one such individual. Signed from giants Celtic a year ago, the right winger has been eye-catching down his flank, and already his direct contributions to goals have been worth four points from the opening seven games. With a propensity to cut inside Neville's 4-2-3-1, he could pose a big problem for DC's Joseph Mora and Brendan Hines-Ike, with neither being particularly strong at marking such a dynamic wide-man. Elsewhere, Argentinian brothers Federico and Gonzalo Higuaín will work in tandem in the #10 and #9 roles respectively, operating in between the lines of the opposition's defensive units to evade their markers.
Gressel's quite sweet
The aforementioned deluge of injuries might mean Losada lines up the 'survivors' in a conservative fashion, principally to frustrate their more vaunted adversaries. He'll be counting on the versatility of some of his charges to fill in adequately whilst he waits for the treatment tables to start clearing up. Custodian and occasional USMNT star Bill Hamid might also have to sit this one out, only further weakening their chances. On the other hand, Julian Gressel has been making headway down the right flank for the visitors, laying on the assist in the curtain raiser to give United victory over New York City. He could find himself thrust into one of the two attacking midfield roles behind sole striker Ola Kamara. The Norwegian frontman has previously only made cameo appearances from the bleachers, and will need support on the occasions his teammates are able to stretch Miami on the break.
Blaise-ing a path
The odds are firmly stacked against DC, even when you take into account the troubles Inter Miami have run into during a tumultuous 2021. Losing in the sunshine state won't derail their campaign, which will doubtlessly be reinforced when back near full strength. Expect Gonzalo Higuaín to strike first, though. betway have that at 4.00.
