Where to watch Inter Miami vs Real Salt Lake: Live stream, TV channel, lineups, prediction for MLS opener
Four months to the day after his last MLS match, Lionel Messi takes the field to lead Inter Miami as it kicks off the 2024 MLS season Wednesday night.
Inter Miami hosts Real Salt Lake, starting the league’s marquee opening weekend under the bright lights at the newly renamed Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Thanks to roster and salary cap penalties and a focus on Leagues Cup once Messi arrived in the U.S., Miami struggled all season in MLS and missed out on making the playoffs. This year, expectations will be high, especially after the offseason acquisition of Messi’s old friend and teammate, Luis Suarez.
For Real Salt Lake, Pablo Mastroeni’s side is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference last season, with 20-year-old midfielder Ruben Luna emerging as a rising star in the league. How he plays opposite Messi will be a great storyline to watch.
Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake live stream, TV channel
Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake will be broadcast on Apple TV+ as part of the MLS Season Pass package. It will not be shown on traditional TV.
What time does Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake kick off?
Inter Miami is set to kick off the match against Real Salt Lake on Apple at 8 p.m. local time.
Here’s how the kickoff time translates across the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Wed Feb. 21 | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Wed, Feb. 21 | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| UK | Thurs, Feb. 22 | 1:00 a.m. GMT |
| India | Thurs, Feb. 22 | 6:30 a.m. IST |
| Australia | Thurs, Feb. 22 | 12:00 p.m. AEDT |
Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake lineups, team news
It’s likely been at least a decade in MLS since we saw a forward line with as much experience and talent as we have at Inter Miami this season. With the acquisition of Luis Suarez to team up with Lionel Messi, the Herons have a chance to break scoring records this season, assuming they can stay healthy.
Partnering with the likes of Diego Gomez, Julian Gressel and Robert Taylor, the Inter Miami attack could be immense this year. On the other hand, during the club’s whirlwind preseason tour around the globe, they’ve shipped 13 goals. In addition, thanks to all the money put towards the big stars, they had to ship out starting centerback Kamal Miller this offseason to create cap space.
As it’s the season opener, some players are still working towards 90-minute match fitness, and it may be a starting 11 that looks different in a couple of months.
Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): Drake Callender (GK) — DeAndre Yedlin, Tomas Aviles, Nicolas Freire, Jordi Alba — David Ruiz, Sergio Busquets, Julian Gressel — Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Diego Gomez
Inter Miami subs: TBC
While Inter Miami brings the experience, Real Salt Lake will be displaying the next generation of stars when they take the field in Fort Lauderdale. Diego Luna will be expected to pick up where he left off after a strong season in MLS, and he’s joined by 17-year-old new signing Fidel Barajas in midfield.
Pablo Mastroeni recently picked up a veteran midfield addition to replace mainstay Damir Kreilach in Matt Crooks. The former Middlesbrough midfielder should provide solidity in central midfield, allowing Luna and Barajas freedom to create out wide.
Real Salt Lake (4-3-3, right to left): Zac MacMath (GK) — Andrew Brody, Alexandros Katranis, Justin Glad, Bryan Oviedo — Pablo Ruiz, Matt Crooks, Braian Ojeda — Fidel Barajas, Chicho Arango, Ruben Luna
Real Salt Lake subs: TBC
Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake prediction
With the eyes of the nation on Fort Lauderdale and a packed house in Chase Stadium, Inter Miami will have plenty of juice to play their season opener. For fans who have needed their Messi fix, there’s every chance that he could finish with a goal himself and an assist to his old friend, Suarez. Playing on home turf, Inter Miami should start off the new season on a bright note.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-0 Real Salt Lake
