Line-ups, stats and preview as Messi talks Nu Stadium, TV, live stream, team news and MLS prediction
In their sixth match of the MLS season, Inter Miami will play at home for the first time when the MLS Cup holders open their Nu Stadium by playing Austin in their first game at the 26,700-capacity setting in central Miami.
The Herons are three points off the top of the table before taking to a stadium described as “top-notch” by head coach Javier Mascherano.
“The pitch is excellent for playing,” the former Argentina international told Miami’s website. “The locker rooms and all the team facilities are impressive.
“Now it’s time for us to start enjoying it and, above all, to inaugurate it in the best way possible with a victory.”
🗣️ Leo Messi: “Nu Stadium is truly impressive. It’s going to be a beautiful day.” pic.twitter.com/sXeBbpe9V2
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 3, 2026
Miami youth product Noah Allen and his teammates have also looked around the Nu Stadium. “Once you stepped out there it was an incredible feeling,” said the defender.
“It was unbelievable. It was cool to see the set-up, how close the fans are and envisioning the stadium being full.”
Austin head coach Nico Estevez says his side’s plan is to attack Inter Miami and keep possession, adding that they “feel very confident about the quality we have”.
The Spaniard was inevitably asked about Miami captain and two-time MLS Most Valuable Player Lionel Messi.
“I had the opportunity to play against him in the Leagues Cup [as] Dallas [boss] and I was able to watch him live in Spain multiple times,” reflected the former Valencia reserve team manager.
“He is still doing the same things every single time against every team and making the difference. I’m pretty sure that if we asked every coach who has played against him, they have tried different plans: man-marking, zonal, offside rule, maybe double marking.
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) April 3, 2026
“He’s Messi because what he sees and understands, he adapts to the game. If you are doing something to him in the game, he will break that.
“It’s important to be collectively very good. We have identified when he is wide, low, high and between the lines, how he tries to break the opponents’ defence.
“We’re given our players tools to avoid those situations. If it’s not in open play, it could be from a free-kick or other kind of situation where he makes the difference.
“This is why he is the best player in the world, in history, and it’s unique to have someone like that in the league. We feel like if we have the ball, Messi will have the ball less – and that will be good news.”
Inter Miami v Austin team news
Defenders Maximiliano Falcon (knee) and Sergio Reguilon (hamstring) and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul (leg) are injured for Miami.
The likes of Messi and other players who traveled with their countries for the international break could be rested, having returned this week.
Austin wideman Robert Taylor and forward Brandon Vazquez (both knee) are sidelined, as are midfielders Dani Pereira (hamstring) and Owen Wolff (hernia).
Winger Jayden Nelson is a doubt with a hamstring problem.
