Inter Miami vs. Red Bulls: Messi starts on the bench at Sports Illustrated Stadium, kickoff time, TV and what's at stake

Inter Miami visited Red Bull New York on Saturday, Oct. 24, in MLS Matchday 32, and the biggest question for many fans was answered before kickoff: Lionel Messi did not start. Inter Miami’s official lineup listed him among the substitutes.

This game was not final when this story was published. AS USA’s live coverage showed Red Bull New York leading 1-0 at halftime after an early own goal by Inter Miami’s Casemiro. Check MLS or Apple TV for the final result.

Inter Miami vs. Red Bulls: kickoff time, TV and stream

Every MLS match streams on Apple TV with no local blackouts, according to the Red Bulls. Keith Costigan and Maurice Edu had the English-language call, and Alejandro Figueredo and Tony Cherchi called it in Spanish, the club said.

Is Messi playing today?

Messi began the night on the bench. Inter Miami’s starting XI, released by the club, had Luis Suárez leading the line as captain alongside Germán Berterame and Riquelme Fillipi. Messi was listed among the substitutes with Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright and others. The club did not give a reason for the decision in its lineup announcement.

The choice drew attention because of Messi’s season. MLSsoccer.com said he leads the league with 40 goal contributions (25 goals and 15 assists) and looks increasingly likely to win a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. In Miami’s last game, a 3-1 win at Atlanta United, he had two goals and an assist.

Starting lineups

Inter Miami (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair; Gonzalo Luján, Casemiro, Micael, Sergio Reguilón; Rodrigo De Paul, David Ayala, Matías Galarza; Riquelme Fillipi, Luis Suárez, Germán Berterame. Head coach: Cristian González.

Red Bull New York (4-3-3): Ethan Horvath; Dylan Nealis, Julian Bazan, Tim Parker, Devin Padelford; Mohammed Sofo, Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor; Cade Cowell, Julian Hall, Jorge Ruvalcaba. Head coach: Michael Bradley.

What happened in the first half

According to AS USA’s live updates, Casemiro, who has been playing center back for Miami, put the ball into his own net in the opening minutes to give New York the lead. The Red Bulls had several more looks before halftime, including chances for Julian Hall, Cade Cowell and Jorge Ruvalcaba, while Suárez, Berterame and De Paul all had attempts for Miami. Both teams also had brief injury stoppages, for Miami goalkeeper St. Clair and Red Bulls captain Nealis.

That was the score at the break. The second-half result was not available at publication.

Why Inter Miami vs. RBNY matters

The game carried real stakes for both sides with the regular season nearly over.

• Inter Miami (15-5-10, 55 points) have already clinched a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs and arrived on a three-game winning streak, MLSsoccer.com said. They sat second in the Eastern Conference, three points clear of New England, and were trying to hold off the Revolution and Chicago for the No. 2 seed.
• Red Bull New York (10-14-6, 36 points) held the ninth and final playoff spot in the East after back-to-back losses, level on points with Toronto and one point ahead of Columbus, with four games left, according to MLSsoccer.com.

The all-time regular-season series was tied at 6-6-1 entering the night, the Red Bulls said, and the teams drew 2-2 in Miami on April 11.

Players to watch

• Julian Hall (RBNY): The 18-year-old homegrown striker leads New York with 11 goals and five assists, per MLSsoccer.com.
• Adri Mehmeti (RBNY): The 17-year-old midfielder has six assists this season and scored his first MLS goal against Miami in April.
• Luis Suárez (Miami): The 39-year-old has 15 goals and 12 assists in 2026.
• Germán Berterame (Miami): Nine goals and 10 assists in his first season with the club.

What’s next on the Inter Miami schedule

Inter Miami’s next fixture was not detailed in the sources used here. Red Bull New York start a two-game road trip at the New England Revolution on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Apple TV.

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