Before taking on some of the top teams on the planet at next month\u2019s FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>, Inter Miami CF<\/a> will face the best that Major League Soccer has to offer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That\u2019s how head coach Javier Mascherano is framing Saturday\u2019s clash against the Columbus Crew<\/a> at Chase Stadium (7:30 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cWe know we\u2019re facing a club that, in my opinion, plays the best soccer in MLS. I have no doubts,\u201d Mascherano told reporters on the eve of Miami\u2019s final pre-CWC game.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a manager [Wilfried Nancy] who\u2019s very clear about what he does. And he does it very well.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n While Nancy has led the Crew to MLS Cup 2023 and Leagues Cup<\/a> 2024 titles, in addition to claiming Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year honors last season, Mascherano can boast winning the first head-to-head clash between the managers.<\/p>\n However, Miami are currently playing like a far different team than the one that pulled off a 1-0 victory<\/a> on April 19 at Cleveland\u2019s Huntington Bank Field.<\/p>\n The Herons have gone 2W-5L-2D in all competitions since beating Columbus, dropping from the top of the Supporters\u2019 Shield standings to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, while also exiting the Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Does that make Saturday\u2019s rematch with the Crew that much more important for Mascherano & Co.? Yes and no.<\/p>\n \u201cWinning every game, not just tomorrow\u2019s, is part of the demands of this club,\u201d the Argentine manager said. \u201cFor what it\u2019s been doing the last few years, for the exposure it has.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That exposure will increase exponentially when Miami begin their CWC participation on June 14 against Egyptian side Al Ahly. The Herons will then battle Portuguese giants FC Porto on June 19 before facing Brazil\u2019s Palmeiras four days later in their Group A finale.<\/p>\n For goalkeeper \u00d3scar Ustari<\/a>, the Crew offer the perfect test ahead of what\u2019s to come at next month\u2019s tournament.<\/p>\n \u201c[Columbus] are one of the best teams in the league,\u201d said Ustari, who signed a contract extension with the Herons this week. \u201cThey\u2019ll probably be something similar to what we\u2019ll face at the Club World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Friday prep before #MIAvCLB<\/a> ????\u26bd\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/6mpJhV98fV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Fortunately, Miami have newfound momentum on their side following Wednesday\u2019s 4-2 bounceback win<\/a> over CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>, which came courtesy of 2g\/1a performances from Lionel Messi<\/a> and Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The bad news is fellow FC Barcelona legend Jordi Alba<\/a> exited the game early with a hamstring issue, joining an injury list that also includes Gonzalo Luj\u00e1n<\/a>, Tom\u00e1s Avil\u00e9s<\/a>, Yannick Bright<\/a>, Baltasar Rodr\u00edguez<\/a> and David Ruiz<\/a> \u2013 all of whom are ruled out for Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cI would love to have a crystal ball,\u201d Mascherano replied when asked if any would return in time for the Club World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 I\u2019m not a doctor, but we hope to have some of them back because there are few of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nRound 2 awaits<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Ideal test<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Injury concerns<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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