Miami : Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min are poised to headline Major League Soccer’s opening weekend when Inter Miami CF visit Los Angeles FC on Saturday.
The clash between two of MLS’s most valuable clubs has been moved to the larger Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with both sides close to full strength after preseason injury concerns.
Messi, the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner and two-time MVP, has returned to training after a mild hamstring injury forced Miami to postpone their final preseason friendly in Puerto Rico.
“It was unfortunate, of course, that we weren’t able to go,” Miami manager Javier Mascherano said, referring to the cancelled match. “It would have been valuable preparation to face an opponent like Independiente del Valle.”
As Miami begin their MLS Cup title defence, they also received a boost with new striker German Berterame cleared to play after obtaining his work visa. Veteran forward Luis Suarez, 39, could also feature after coming off the bench during last year’s playoff run, while Messi may again lead the line in a 4-3-3 system.
Son, meanwhile, sat out LAFC’s preseason fixtures due to a minor lower-body issue but eased concerns with an influential display in the club’s CONCACAF Champions Cup opener on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old scored once and provided three assists in a 6-1 first-leg victory at Real Espana in Honduras. Denis Bouanga netted a hat trick in that match, giving LAFC a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg and allowing first-year manager Marc Dos Santos flexibility in squad selection against Miami.
“The feeling is very good,” Bouanga said after his treble. “I’m very happy to score three. My teammates helped me for this hat trick.”
