Inter Miami will host Austin FC on Saturday night at the new stadium built with Lionel Messi’s influence.
This match will be the first at the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium, located just northwest of downtown Miami.
Construction was approved before Messi joined Miami in the summer of 2023, but it was always intended to attract top talents. Now, Messi, recognized as one of the greatest players, will lead his team at this new venue.
“It’s amazing to see the new home,” Messi stated in Spanish. “The stadium looks incredible, and it feels special to finally experience it. We were eager to play here and to compete, and now it’s happening.”
Although Miami used a temporary venue in Fort Lauderdale for its first five matches, the team aimed to finish its home MLS schedule at this new facility.
Currently, Inter Miami sits third in the Eastern Conference and ninth in the Supporters Shield standings. Messi has scored four goals, leading the team, while Telasco Segovia has provided three assists.
However, the team has also conceded eight goals, the highest among the top 10 in the Supporters Shield standings.
Austin FC’s manager, Nico Estevez, acknowledged this when discussing their strategy. “We’re up against the reigning MLS champions, and it’s going to be tough,” he said. “They score goals but also allow them. We need to have an attacking mindset; just defending won’t be enough.”
Austin is still searching for its first player with multiple goals this season. Owen Wolff, the leading scorer from last year, has returned to training after his surgery but may not play this week, according to Estevez. Striker Brandon Vazquez is still recovering from a torn ACL sustained last summer.