Inter Miami “rubbed the lamp” and got a moment of magic from Lionel Messi against the Colorado Rapids last time out, with Guillermo Hoyos hoping for more sorcery going forward.
Messi scored twice as Miami beat the Rapids 3-2 in front of a 75,000-strong crowd at Empower Field at Mile High, with the decisive goal being a wonderful curling effort.
The Argentine’s heroics got the Herons back to winning ways after a pair of 2-2 draws to begin a new era at their purpose-built Nu Stadium, as well as handing Hoyos a winning start.
Hoyos took charge on a temporary basis after Javier Mascherano shockingly resigned as head coach, and the former Bolivia coach will look to make it two wins out of two when they visit Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.
Reflecting on his first game in charge, Hoyos said: “I think there was an important reaction after the goal for 2-2, where we had to change our shape.
“And well, I’ll repeat it; the lamp was rubbed, and out comes that goal that only he can score. It’s a great blessing to have him.
“It was a beautiful experience because there are players of enormous quality on the team, the best player in history is here.
“So, I got very emotional many times. Because that’s what football is about, emotion.”
The delivers yet again. pic.twitter.com/UyWgN6hO18
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2026
While Miami are second in the Eastern Conference, four points behind the leaders Nashville SC, Real Salt Lake are also going well in the West, where they sit fifth.
RSL have 16 points from seven games so far this campaign, having beaten San Diego FC 4-2 in a thrilling encounter last time out.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Sergi Solans
Solans has scored five goals throughout his first five career MLS starts, including scoring a brace against San Diego last weekend.
He is the first Real Salt Lake player to score five times across his first five regular-season starts with the club and will hope to continue his momentum here.
Inter Miami – Lionel Messi
Messi scored two of Miami’s three goals in their victory over Colorado last time out, including his sensational winner in the 79th minute.
Since the 2019-20 season, Messi’s club teams (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami) have won all 34 league matches in which he has found the net more than once.
Our captain was recognized as @mls Player of the Matchday.
Details here: pic.twitter.com/FapuSe2fsI
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 20, 2026
MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN
Miami won their only previous meeting with Real Salt Lake, 2-0 on the opening day of the 2024 season.
This will be Inter Miami’s 199th regular-season match, but their first-ever trip to America First Field.
Real Salt Lake have collected 16 points in their last six regular-season matches (W5 D1), including winning all four of their home games in that time.
This is the second time in the last 12 years that RSL have taken 16 points in a span of six games in a single season (also in April and May 2024).
Inter Miami are favourites, but goals should be expected as the Herons have both scored and conceded multiple times in each of their last four regular-season matches.
Only four teams in MLS history have had a longer streak of games scoring and conceding multiple goals, most recently the Portland Timbers in 2024 (five straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 28%
Inter Miami – 47.8%
Draw – 24.2%