Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano is confident that Lionel Messi will sign a new deal with the club despite their on-field struggles this season. 

Mascherano watched on as his team were beaten 3-0 by Orlando City SC in their last league encounter, leaving them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. 

Since arriving in Miami in July 2023, Messi has made 56 appearances in all competitions, netting 44 goals and providing a further 21 assists for his team-mates. 

Messi's current deal is due to expire at the end of the year, but with the Herons recently extending Jordi Alba's contract with the club until 2027, Mascherano is hopeful that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will also follow suit. 

"Signing Jordi for the next two years is important to show stability, and we hope to have some news on Leo in the coming weeks," Mascherano said. 

"Messi's permanence would be very important for the club, for the fans and also for the MLS."

Miami are without a win in their last three MLS games and Mascherano has come under fire during the early stages of his career. 

"We must continue working, adjust things. I know that it is no use describing the moment, but that you have to act and return to that positive dynamic that we had at the beginning of the league," Mascherano added.

"We must all go out together. In that sense, I take full responsibility for the moment and the circumstances. No one enters the field to suffer or to have a bad time.

"The player always tries to give his best. We will have to continue insisting to get the best out of each of the boys and move forward."

Miami will be hoping to get back on track against the Philadelphia Union this weekend, but face a stern test against the early Eastern Conference leaders. 

The Union followed up their 1-0 win over Atlanta United in their last MLS encounter with a victory over Pittsburgh Riverhounds to reach the US Open Cup quarter-finals. 

But Philadelphia head coach Bradley Carnell was not underestimating Miami's star-studded squad, but revealed what he intends to do to unsettle Mascherano's team. 

"We can't underestimate any opponent," Carnell said. "When we play here at Subaru Park, we're in control of what we do here. 

"Sometimes, we let the opponent slow the game down and what have you, and it is easy for us to fall into that trap. It's important for us to stay on the gas. 

"That is the only way we can play. Forcing mistakes and the more we do that, the more chances we create, the more the opponent is stressed. The more stressed they get, the more joy we can have in the attacking transitions."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo

Baribo's winning goal from the penalty spot on Saturday was his MLS-leading 11th on the season.

He has also scored in three straight matches for the second time this season (also in February-March).

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has scored four goals in three career matches against Philadelphia in all competitions, scoring at least once in all three games.

He has had a streak of four or more consecutive games with a goal against 19 different teams in his career, all while playing for Barcelona.

MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Philadelphia continued their best start in club history with a 1-0 win at Atlanta and now have 29 points through 14 matches, one more than the previous club record of 28 through 14 matches in their Supporters' Shield-winning 2020 campaign.

Inter Miami, though, have won four straight meetings with the Union, beginning with Messi's arrival in August 2023. Philadelphia had won four of the first eight meetings between the sides (D2 L2).

However, the Herons have lost five of their last seven games in all competitions (W1 D1), beginning with the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals in April. Miami had suffered just three defeats in their previous 26 matches in all competitions since returning from the Leagues Cup in August.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 44.1%

Draw – 26.8%

Inter Miami – 29%