Inter Miami will celebrate a historic milestone on Saturday night when the team plays against Austin FC in its first game at the newly constructed Nu Stadium, ushering in a new era for the club.
There will be much buzz surrounding the grand opening of the long-awaited $350 million stadium. Marc Anthony will sing the national anthem and other celebrities are expected to be on hand. Coach Javier Mascherano cautioned his players against getting too wrapped up in the pregame excitement.
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“We have to be careful about how we manage our emotions,” Mascherano said Thursday after the team’s first training session at the new venue. “We know this is a festive day for the club, as they are inaugurating their new stadium — the stadium they had dreamed of since the very beginning, and which took so much effort to build.
“Now, finally, it has become a reality. But, we are obviously going into a match where our main objective is to maintain the momentum we’ve built, especially after the great game we played in New York, keeping in mind that the best way to celebrate is after the match, with a victory.
“We must try not to get too caught up in all the festivities and hype surrounding the pre-match celebration. Often, whether consciously or subconsciously, that sort of ambiance tends to make you relax too much. Instead, what we need to do is harness all that positive energy that will be in the air, channel it onto the field and get the win.”
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That said, the players are eager to debut in their new 26,700-seat home.
“It’s spectacular getting to see the new home, the new stadium turned out incredible,” Messi said in a statement released by the club.
“It was really special to be able to experience it. We have been eager to play there, to make our debut and now the moment has arrived. It’s going to be a very special day for the club. After such a short time to have our own stadium is unbelievable. It’s a day for everyone to enjoy at the club, the fans, and for us who get to be the first to play in this stadium.”
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Messi is one of 11 Inter Miami players who was out of the country on national team duty during the most recent FIFA international window, which ended on Tuesday night. He scored and had an assist in Argentina’s 5-0 win over Zambia in Buenos Aires. Messi participated in the first segment of Thursday’s training session but sat out the latter part.
Mascherano said the Argentine captain is fine, expected to play Saturday, and that the plan was to let him recover from his trip with a lighter workout.
“Neither Leo [Messi], nor Noah, [Allen] nor Alex [Shaw], the three players who played on Tuesday and played the most minutes, practiced fully and we had already planned it that way,” Mascherano said.
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“It hasn’t even been 48 hours since they finished playing, so we simply wanted them to move around a bit and recover. So, Leo is fine. Really, it’s just a matter of exercising the standard, common-sense caution we apply to all our players. Again, we had planned it this way all along.”
Right back Facundo Mura trained separately on Thursday as he recovered from a sprained ankle and could miss Saturday’s game. Ian Fray, coming off Jamaican national team duty, would likely start in his place.
Maxi Falcon and Sergio Reguilon both returned to full training this week and should be available.
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Miami is coming off a 3-2 road win over NYCFC in the final league match before the international break. The team is in third place in the Eastern Conference with three wins, one loss and one tie. Miami has scored nine goals and conceded eight (three of those in the season-opening loss at LAFC).
Austin is 1-2-2 and prior to the international break, held LAFC scoreless in tie, becoming the first team this season to shut out the Western Conference leaders.
Austin coach Nico Estevez told reporters his team is looking forward to the challenge of facing Messi and his teammates at the new stadium.
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“We’re talking about something unique in the history of football,” Estevez said. “Every MLS fan, every MLS team, we’re privileged to have been in that time when Messi was here. And I think everyone will remember that.”
Estevez discussed the challenges of playing against the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“He sees things that others cannot see,” he said. “What he sees (defensively), he adapts to and will try and break it. He knows the game is 90 minutes. He doesn’t rush things. And he knows there’s going to be an opportunity when he can make a movement or a pass.”
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Four injured Austin players will miss the game, including former Inter Miami winger Robert Taylor (knee), Dani Pereira (hamstring), Brandon Vazquez (knee), and Owen Wolff (sports hernia).
Inter Miami Nu Stadium Fan Guide
Inter Miami Home Schedule: Apr. 4. vs Austin FC, Apr. 11 vs NY Red Bulls, Apr. 25 vs New England Revolution, May 2 vs Orlando City, May 17 vs Portland Timbers, May 24 vs Philadelphia Union, July 22 vs Chicago Fire, Aug. 1 vs. Columbus Crew, Aug. 6 vs Atletico San Luis (Leagues Cup), Aug. 9 vs. Monterrey (Leagues Cup), Aug. 13 vs. Leon (Leagues Cup), Aug. 22 vs Toronto, Aug. 29 vs CF Montreal, Sept. 5 vs Atlanta, Sept. 12 vs Nashville SC, Sept. 20 vs San Diego FC, Oct. 10 vs. D.C. United, Oct. 14 vs. NYCFC, Oct. 28 vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 7 vs. Charlotte FC.
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Where can I buy Inter Miami tickets? intermiamicf.com/tickets
Where can I park for Inter Miami games at Nu Stadium? Fans driving to games must buy a parking pass in advance through the team website. On-site purchases will not be available on match day. Details here.
How can I get to Inter Miami games at Nu Stadium on public transportation? Trains, buses and the Metrorail will drop fans off at the Miami Intermodal Center, which is adjacent to Miami International Airport and across the street from the stadium grounds. Ticket holders who travel to matches using public transportation (Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Metrobus, Trolley, or Broward County Transit) will receive a $10 food and beverage credit upon arrival at Nu Stadium. Details here.
