NY Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami prediction, projected lineups, how to watch | OneFootball

What Lionel Messi has been doing defies logic. Five consecutive braces at 38 years old, a feat reserved for the truly exceptional. Not even legends like Diego Maradona, Pelé, or Johan Cruyff managed such a streak. Messi’s consistency in this twilight stage of his career sets him apart.

But when Messi isn't on the scoresheet, Inter Miami feel the impact. There’s simply no one else capable of delivering the same punishing blows to opponents. The numbers back it up: Inter Miami have scored 44 goals this season. They are the highest-scoring team, but also among the worst defensively, conceding 33 times. And although help may be on the way in the form of midfield enforcer Rodrigo De Paul, that won't arrive by Saturday.

Despite the 3–0 loss to FC Cincinnati, Inter remain fifth in the Eastern Conference, just eight points behind leaders Philadelphia Union with three games in hand.

The New York Red Bulls currently sit in seventh place, five points back of Inter. They had gone five games without a win before their emphatic 5-3 victory over the New England Revolution on Wednesday.

Here's everything you need to know about New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami

How to watch New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami

Time: Saturday, July 19,  7:30 pm ET

Venue: Red Bull Arena (Harrison, N.J.)

TV & streaming: MLS Season Pass

New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami projected lineups

Inter Miami needs Lionel Messi to return to winning form, and now may not be the time to consider resting him, as Javier Mascherano once suggested. While the risk of injury is always present, sitting out the league’s best player is a tough call, especially with the team struggling for consistency.

Adding to Miami’s concerns is the injury to goalkeeper Óscar Ustari, who had been in fine form, showing his quality both in the Club World Cup and in MLS action. Ustari initially stepped in for starter Drake Callender, who has been sidelined with a sports hernia. But in a cruel twist, Ustari was forced off in the 25th minute of the last match after suffering an unusual knee injury.

That left Inter turning to Rocco Novo, the Inter Miami II goalkeeper on loan from Lanús. While the young shot-stopper did his best under pressure, the club now faces an important decision to stay with him or turn to the more experienced but out-of-practice William Yarbrough.

With Messi’s presence more crucial than ever and the goalkeeper situation in flux, Inter Miami must navigate a delicate stretch in their campaign, one that could define their season.

The New York Red Bulls' recent win helped the club avoid falling out of the East's top seven. Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting each netted a brace, leading the charge in what could be a turning point for the team’s season.

The win reinforced the Red Bulls' strong home form; they remain unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches at home. Head coach Sandro Schwarz will be eager to see his side continue this momentum as the playoff race intensifies.

Choupo-Moting has become a key figure for the Red Bulls, scoring in five consecutive home matches. His season tally now stands at 13 goals, the highest among all MLS newcomers in 2025. The Cameroonian striker continues to be a major attacking threat whenever he steps onto the pitch at home. Team captain Emil Forsberg also delivered, scoring twice and notching his fifth career multi-goal performance in MLS. With four goals in his last three league appearances, the Swedish international is hitting top form at just the right time.

Inter Miami projected lineup (4-4-2, right to left)

Rocco Novo (GK)-Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Falcon Picart, Jordi Alba- Allende, Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia-Leo Messi, Luis Suarez

Inter Miami player status report

Noah Allen - hamstring (out), Drake Callender - sports hernia (out), Ian Fray - adductor (out), Baltasar Rodriguez - hamstring (out), Oscar Ustari - hamstring (out), Allen Obando - hamstring (questionable), David Ruiz - hamstring (questionable).

New York Red Bulls projected lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)

Carlos Coronel GK)- Kyle Duncan, Sean Nealis, Noah Eile, Omar Valencia-Daniel Edelman, Ronald Donkor-Mohammed Sofo, Wikelman Carmona, Emil Forsberg- Choupo-Moting

New York Red Bulls player status report

Cameron Harper - knee (out), Lewis Morgan - thigh (out), Serge Ngoma - thigh (out)

New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami  prediction

Historically, these two sides have been evenly matched. In their last six meetings, both teams have secured three wins apiece. But the Red Bulls will enjoy the home-field advantage at Red Bull Arena, where they’ve been dominant this season, collecting 26 points from 11 matches, the third-best home record in Major League Soccer.

This upcoming clash promises fireworks and intensity from start to finish. With Lionel Messi (16 goals) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (13 goals) leading their respective lines, fans can expect an electric, hard-fought battle that could go down to the wire.