- Inter Miami CF won 1 and drew 1 of their last two MLS head-to-heads against Philadelphia Union, the most recent meeting ending in a 3-3 draw at Subaru Park.
- Inter Miami CF have failed to win any of their four home fixtures in MLS 2026, with three draws and one defeat (D3, L1).
- Philadelphia Union have managed only 1 win in their seven away MLS 2026 fixtures so far (W1, D1, L5).
Messi’s Miami to make hay against slumping Union
Inter Miami CF have begun to turn their 2026 MLS season around since Angel Guillermo Hoyos was appointed head coach in April, winning each of their last three matches, but they need to deliver better results at home to get back into the playoff picture.
Currently sitting 5th in MLS 2026 with 22 points from 12 matches, Inter Miami will be expected to trounce 29th-placed Philadelphia Union, who have six points from 12 fixtures, in a clash of two recent MLS trophy winners on Sunday.
However, the hosts have a poor home record so far in 2026, failing to win any of their opening four home assignments (D3, L1). Miami have been leaking too many goals with an average of 2.25 per-game conceded in front of their own fans, but they are scoring plenty as well with an average of 2.00-per match.
Union have been out of their depth
Bradley Carnell has brought a high-energy collective pressing style to Philadelphia Union since taking the reins in January 2025, but it simply hasn’t been paying off in recent matches. The Eastern Conference club have drawn two and lost three of their last five MLS matches and have lost each of their previous three on the road.
Union are currently without a win in their previous two away head-to-heads against Miami and have a disappointing record of goals scored and conceded in away fixtures this term, averaging just 1.14 per-game for and 2.00 per-game against.
The main men
Lionel Messi has been Inter Miami’s talisman this season, netting 9 MLS 2026 goals in 11 appearances, as well as providing 3 assists in his last 5. In truth, his creativity and ability to finish has been the only reason that Miami have been competitive at times, but his brilliance should ensure that they can find the net at least twice against Union.
Danley Jean Jacques leads the goal charts for Philly with just 2 goals from 11 MLS 2026 appearances and the visitors will need their attackers to step up against Miami if they are to get anything out of this clash.
Inter Miami are the value
Despite their current form, Inter Miami CF are odds-on for this match, but the 1.43 on the hosts looks like the value pick for this clash. The matchup of Miami’s patient, passing and creative build-up play against Philadelphia’s relentless pressing style should bring the fireworks and, in their current state, the Union cannot afford to give Messi and co too much time on the ball.
Inter Miami to take the points in an end-to-end game in which both teams should find the back of the net is our main selection, while the odds of 1.51 on both teams to score make a lot of sense with Miami leaking goals at home and Philly desperately needing to rediscover their goal-scoring prowess. Over 2.5 goals is also favoured, as the bookmakers are pricing this up at a very short 1.32.
