Miami had just three regular starters in the lineup that day, Drake Callender, Marcelo Weigandt and Julian Gressel. Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba were left out of the starting lineup to rest, and Sergio Busquets was suspended for yellow card accumulation. Martino was also suspended and watched the game from a stadium suite.

Having led Inter Miami first to the Leagues Cup title and then to the Supporters' Shield, Lionel Messi gets his first taste of MLS Cup playoff action as he gears up for the first game of their Round One matchup against Atlanta United.