In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke to Daniel Granada of The Battered Herons Podcast to learn more about Inter Miami, New York City FC's Eastern Conference Final opponent on Saturday night in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Here is your NYCFC vs Miami preview.
• League Form (All Comps): W-W-L-W-W
• Record: 19W, 8D, 7L | 65 points, 3rd Place
• Scoring Leader: Lionel Messi, 35 goals
• Assist Leader: Lionel Messi, 20 assists
1. Lionel Messi has Inter Miami rolling
Hudson River Blue: Inter Miami is rolling in the playoffs and look unbeatable, scoring 12 goals in four games. With Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets set to retire after this season, and Lionel Messi playing out of his mind, this is Miami’s last chance to win MLS Cup with the Barcelona quartet. Is there anything that can stop Miami?
Daniel Granada: It doesn’t feel like anything can stop them right now. This is the best form they’ve been in all season and by far the best run of play Messi has had with Inter Miami since arriving. I would say a dangerous counterattack is the only threat, but our defense has tightened up recently, also.
Oliver Strand
2. Miami's defense has improved
HRB: The defense was a cause for concern throughout the season, conceding 55 goals in 34 games. But Miami’s improved, posting back-to-back shutouts against Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati. What’s changed defensively since the end of the regular season?
DG: Honestly, not huge changes. Starting [Mateo] Silvetti over the last two games has taken some of the responsibility off of Alba's shoulder to push up high and be the attack down that left flank, which has led to less opportunities for the opponents to attack the empty space Alba usually leaves behind when he attacks.
Andrew Leigh
3. Luis Suárez is better off the bench
HRB: A big talking point from Miami’s win over Cincinnati was that Javier Mascherano decided to bench Luis Suárez for Mateo Silvetti, who scored his first career goal for Miami. Do you think Mascherano should continue to bring Suárez off the bench?
DG: Suarez coming off the bench is something that Inter Miami fans have been asking for all year. Now that we are here and we’ve scored eight goals in the last two matches, I think there is no chance we see Suarez in the starting lineup again this season.
4. The X-Factor: Sergio Busquets
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
DG: Sergio Busquets had his fingerprints all over that Cincy win, and he is always the X-Factor. He is the connection between the backline and the attack, and against Cincinnati, he made it look easy. If they do not man-mark him all game long, he’ll be the X-Factor.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
DG: NYCFC have a good history against the Herons, but I think Miami at home takes it 3-1.
