Inter Miami faces Peru powerhouse Universitario in high-profile friendly | OneFootball

The Javier Mascherano Era at Club International de Futbol Miami rolls out its second episode tonight from Lima, Peru. The Herons will play one of the South American nations’ premier sides, Universitario de Deportes, at Estádio Monumental, the Merengues’ home stadium.

The friendly match is not included as part of the Apple +/MLS Season Pass package and will not be broadcast in the United States. North American supporters can watch the match at InterMiamiCF.com, the club’s website.

Both teams are preparing to defend titles earned in 2024: Inter Miami is Major League Soccer’s defending Supporters’ Shield winners, earning a league-record 74 points in its MLS season (but lost in the MLS Cup playoffs’ first round) while Universitario won its 28th Peru Liga 1 title.

Inter Miami defeated Los Cremas 4-0 in a 2022 preseason friendly, the clubs’ only previous meeting.

Mascherano and the Herons still won’t have their full roster available for tonight’s match; as of this writing, several newly signed (and resigned goalkeeper Oscar Ustari) are dealing with visa issues, while goalkeeper Drake Callender, last year’s starter, is recovering from a minor muscle injury suffered while practicing with he U.S. Men’s National Team earlier this month. Several anticipated additions are waiting for deals to be finalized.

Roberto Casillas, writing for Sports Illustrated’s si.com, projected a starting lineup similar to the 11 who took the field against Mexican champion Club America 11 days ago in Las Vegas, a match the Herons won by penalty kicks after a dramatic 2-2 draw.

Casillas expects Mascherano to deploy a 4-3-3 formation that will again feature recently signed keeper Rocco Ríos Novo between the pipes with a back line of Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, newcomer Gonzalo Luján and Jordi Alba (Luján replaces Noah Allen, who started at center back against Club America). Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets and Federico Redondo will patrol the midfield, with wingers Lionel Messi and Fafà Picault flanking striker Luis Suarez up front.