Home / Football Previews, Line Ups and Stats / MLS Previews and Team News Inter Miami v Austin: Line-ups, stats and preview Full preview as Inter Miami host Austin in the MLS Written by Ben Miller Last Update: April 4, 2026 04:53:58 pm BST 5 min read 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 Miamis website. The locker rooms and all the team facilities are impressive.Now its time for us to start enjoying it and, above all, to inaugurate it in the best way possible with a victory. Miami youth product Noah Allen and his teammates have also looked around the place. 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 sides 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.Im 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. Hes 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.Its 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.Were given our players tools to avoid those situations. If its 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 its 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.Table of Contents1 Inter Miami v Austin team news2 Inter Miami v Austin predicted line-ups3 Where to watch Inter Miami v Austin FC: TV channel, live online streams4 Inter Miami v Austin stats5 Inter Miami v Austin prediction6 What To Do If You Have A Gambling ProblemInter Miami v Austin team newsDefenders 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.Inter Miami v Austin predicted line-upsInter Miami starting XI: Dayne St Clair, Santino Lujan, Micael, Noah Allen, Ian Fray, David Ayala, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Tadeo AllendeAustin starting XI: Brad Stuver, Jon Gallagher, Oleksandr Svatok, Brendan Hines-Ike, Jon Bell, Ilie Sanchez, Nicolas Dubersarsky, Joseph Rosales, Facundo Torres, Christian Ramirez, Myrto Uzuni.Where to watch Inter Miami v Austin FC: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Saturday is at 19:30 ET (16:30 PT / 00:30 on Sunday BST), with live coverage available through Apple TV.In the US, a subscription costs $12.99 a month or $99.99 a year. Those prices are �8.99 a month or �89.99 a year in the UK. A seven-day free trial is available.Inter Miami v Austin statsThese sides have met twice before: a 5-1 home win for Austin in 2022 and a 1-1 draw in Miami in 2023Messi has 82 goals and 53 assists in 94 appearances in all competitions for Miami and could face Austin for the first time in his careerCharlottes Wilfried Zaha (4) is the only player in the 2026 MLS to have received more yellow cards than Miamis Telasco Segovia (3)Miami have the highest pass completion (89.5%) in this seasons competition, immediately ahead of San Diego (88.7%)The Herons are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions (W3 D3) since their opening 3-0 defeat at LAFCAustin are the only side this season to have kept a clean sheet this season against Western Conference leaders LAFCThey have two clean sheets in their first five matches but have conceded at least twice in each of their other three gamesDefender Jon Bell is their only player to have scored across more than four hours of play since their win at home to DC United on March 1Portland (13 yellow cards, two reds) and Chicago (13 cautions, one dismissal) are the only two teams with a worse disciplinary record than Austin (12 bookings, one sending-off)Only the LA Galaxys Marco Reus (17) and San Joses Niko Tsakiris (16) had played more key passes in this seasons MLS than Austins Facundo Torres (14) before the current round of gamesInter Miami v Austin prediction Inter Miami 2 1 Austin The occasion could be more beneficial to either team, so backing a narrow Miami win may appeal to lengthen the odds on the favorites. None of their last five matches have been decided by more than one goal, which is also the case for four of Austins most recent five. Bet Here What To Do If You Have A Gambling ProblemWe understand that gambling can be fun, but it is always important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery. Below, we have listed some helpful resources to help aid you on the road to recovery.National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware: www.gambleaware.com Topics: Austin FC Inter Miami CF Javier Mascherano Lionel Messi Luis Suarez MLS Rodrigo de Paul Follow us: Ben Miller Reporter Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events. Read more from Ben Miller
