NYCFC vs Inter Miami CF preview: Can the Pigeons shock Messi and the Herons?

Which New York City FC game will have Yankee Stadium close to full, some tickets costing thousands of dollars via resale, and is getting the local media to pay attention to the team?  It can only be the Inter Miami CF match, for the all-star squad starring Lionel Messi will be in town.

For the Pigeons, it is just another game against a tough opponent.  It stinks it takes one of the best players in the world to get people to pay attention and actually fill the stadium, but alas, that is the case.  Still, the everyday fan and the players will be focused on the match itself.  Unfortunately, expectations are getting lower and lower as the winless streak continues for the Bronx team.

As such, this is really not the best time to face one of the best teams in Major League Soccer.  NYCFC is trending downward in terms of results and the standings.  The defense has been problematic, which was especially seen in the defensive disaster in Wednesday’s Philadelphia Union fixture.

Can NYCFC have a quick turnaround and find a way to beat Messi and Inter Miami?  Here is a preview of this weekend’s match.

Date 

NYCFC and Inter Miami will face each other on Saturday, September 21.

Time

The fixture is at 2:00 PM ET.

Location 

The game will be at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY.

How to watch

Fans can watch the match on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass.

Weather

The weather will be decent when the match begins.  It will be around 74 degrees and cloudy.  The humidity will hover at around 50%, making it somewhat comfortable at Yankee Stadium.

Injury report

NYCFC will be without Malachi Jones (leg) and Birk Risa (leg).

Players to watch

NYCFC supporters should watch Matt Freese.  The goalkeeper had a rare not-so-great game against Philadelphia.  He was responsible for one of the five goals when he dropped the ball when he should have held on, giving the Union the perfect opportunity to pounce.  He also struggled to protect the goal due to the mistakes and poor defense by the backline.  Will Freese rebound and put on a show against Miami?

Messi is back, so of course he is the player to watch on Miami.  His talent is still at an all-time high, and he will be extremely threatening.  He came on as a substitute on Wednesday, so there is a chance he will start at Yankee Stadium.  For the Pigeons, they will have to worry about every aspect of his game.  There is a strong likelihood the Argentine will have half the stadium cheering him on, which could aid in his performance.

Prediction

It does not matter if NYCFC is playing a home game.  Many of those attending the match will likely be there to watch Messi play.  Plus, fans of the home club saw what happened on Wednesday.  With the Pigeons’ poor form and Miami’s super season, the prediction is that the Bronx team will lose 3-0.