Lionel Messi’s status in question: Projected lineups for Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps in CONCACAF Champions Cup

The first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 semifinal between Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami is shaping up to be a standout match between two Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. The match will take place at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.

Both teams reach this stage after overcoming significant challenges in the quarterfinals. Vancouver advanced thanks to the away goal rule after drawing 3-3 on aggregate against Pumas UNAM. For its part, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, achieved a comeback by defeating Los Angeles FC 3-1 in the second leg, securing their pass with a 3-2 aggregate.

In this regard, Javier Mascherano assured at a press conference that this could be the most important match in his young history as a club.

“It is a very important game for us. Perhaps one of the most important games in the history of the club. So we are ready and waiting for this game. I don’t like to talk before about who is available or who is not. So tomorrow you will see.”

Mascherano said that the team has to be consistent, although he mentioned that Vancouver is a rival that is comfortable without the ball.

“We know that we are not going to face a rival that perhaps does not need much possession to hurt you. It is a rival that is quite direct, that plays very well on its bands, that has imbalance. We will try to reduce all its strengths in the best way and try to, obviously, as we always try, to take control of the game, try to play in the rival field, generate situations and obviously score goals. Because in the end this type of competition, the fact of being able to score away from home gives you a certain advantage and hopefully we can do it tomorrow.”

Finally, he said that, although tomorrow’s result is important, the team is focused on the fact that it is a series of 180 minutes and that they close at home.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Inter Miami: Probable lineups

Vancouver Whitecaps: Takaoka; Halbouni, Veselinovic, Blackmon; Ocampo, Cubas, Berhalter, Johnson; Vite, Ríos, Ahmed.

Inter Miami: Óscar Ustari; Marcelo Weigandt, Gonzalo Luján, Noah Allen, Jordi Alba; Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Benjamín Cremaschi; Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia; Luis Suárez.