USL owners embrace opportunity as Pro-Rel becomes reality

EXCLUSIVE: Rapinoe has spent a life committed to changing world

10 years of NXGN: Tracking progress of American wonderkids

From Mutiny to Miami, all 32 franchises in MLS history - ranked

Best players, coaches, teams of the 21st century - ranked

Editors' Picks

Mbappe wants PSG out of UCL amid unpaid wages battle

Former Arsenal star on Martinez 'going too far' ahead of PSG clash

'Mexico are in group of death'- Mexican media weigh in on GC

'Wait until he's 18!' - Lewandowski wants to dance with Yamal

Report: McKennie named in illegal betting investigation 

Onana, look away: GK's gaffes spoil Red Devils performance

Real Madrid dressing room hold inquest into Arsenal defeat

'Don't do that to a child' - Raphinha slammed for robbing Cubarsi

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"970d5d71-c31e-4dc9-aa1b-233e9257fa80","competitionId":"287tckirbfj9nb8ar2k9r60vn"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine icon has been given regular rests</li><li>Workload is now being ramped up</li><li>Herons boss confident star turns can cope</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Why Lionel Messi & 'elite players' were not rotated by Inter Miami as Argentine superstar plays 90 minutes in back-to-back fixtures

Major League Soccer

Chicago Fire FC

Inter Miami CF

<p>The Herons welcomed Canadian opposition to Chase Stadium in their latest MLS fixture. With the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final to come on Wednesday, the Florida-based outfit were expected to shuffle their pack.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Mascherano did, however, go strong as Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets (who will be suspended against LAFC in midweek) all made his starting XI. Argentine superstar <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-argentine-superstar-pinpoint-strike-record-setting-inter-miami-goal-toronto-mls/bltb09c4d3824e24f6f" target="_blank">Messi netted Inter Miami’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Toronto</a> and completed the full 90 minutes.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>He <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/better-chance-with-lionel-messi-coming-off-shock-inter-miami-advice-explained-former-usmnt-star-mls-outfit-win-every-competition/blt6f586bb6083f5d16" target="_blank">also figured from start to finish in the first leg of a continental clash with LAFC</a>, with his game time being ramped up after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-luis-suarez-is-playing-while-lionel-messi-is-rested-inter-miami-selection-calls-explained-as-ex-barcelona-superstars-are-treated-differently-in-mls/blt8d9b2e957c15341c?utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_id=kp0y2tvoffhdawxg&amp;utm_source_platform=msn&amp;utm_source=msn_en" target="_blank">taking in rests on a regular basis</a> at the start of the 2025 campaign. Messi and his fellow Barcelona legends are accustomed to quick turnarounds.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>With that in mind, Mascherano says he had no issue with asking plenty of them during a hectic schedule. Inter Miami’s boss said: “As far as roster rotation, we spoke to the [four aforementioned] players and these are elite players who have played every three days their entire lives, they are used to it and we felt we had to make changes in other positions.</p><p>“I understand sometimes people can be surprised, but I had said in my pre-game press conference that we would not overlook this game.”</p>

WHAT JAVIER MASCHERANO SAID

<p>Inter Miami were disappointed to settle for a point against Toronto, but they remain unbeaten in MLS competition this season. Attention can now turn to a home date with LAFC, as the Herons continue to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-wants-mls-cup-win-inter-miami-star-vows-come-back-stronger-play-off-heartache-herons-2024/blt2549de8b8cf2103e" target="_blank">chase down major silverware on multiple fronts</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

Why Lionel Messi & ‘elite players’ were not rotated by Inter Miami as Argentine superstar plays 90 minutes in back-to-back fixtures | Goal.com US

Javier Mascherano has explained why Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s other “elite players” were not rotated against Toronto FC.

Why Lionel Messi & 'elite players' were not rotated by Inter Miami as Argentine superstar plays 90 minutes in back-to-back fixtures

Major League Soccer Matches

Next Match