Messi Lands In Silicon Valley Tonight: San Jose Earthquakes Vs. Inter Miami — Surprise Suárez Update, Predicted XIs & Bold Score Pick

Lionel Messi’s return to the Inter Miami XI has Bay Area fans scrambling for last-minute tickets—but the Herons arrive wounded, concede goals for fun and may have to cope without strike-partner Luis Suárez, who failed a late fitness test on his arthritic knee. San Jose, meanwhile, are quietly riding a three-game win streak behind Cristian Espinoza’s hot form. Thursday night’s clash at PayPal Park (04:30 CET / 19:30 PT) suddenly looks like a litmus test for Silicon Valley’s playoff hopes and Miami’s star-powered project.

Team news

Messi completed full training after a fortnight nursing adductor tightness and is “cleared for 90” according to Miami’s medical update. Suárez, however, skipped the session and remains questionable—local reports call it a “coach’s decision” linked to load management. Javier Mascherano is also missing centre-back Nicolás Freire (hamstring), further exposing a defence that has shipped 14 goals in five matches.

Bruce Arena’s Earthquakes list only Jamiro Montero (ankle) as a doubt, and DP forward Chicho Arango is expected to make his home debut after his trade from Salt Lake. Captain Cristian Espinoza comes in fresh from a brace against Portland.

Predicted line-ups

San Jose (4-3-3): Marcinkowski; Akapo, Mensah, Rodrigues, Trauco; Yueill, Gruezo, Tsakiris; Espinoza, Arango, Cowell.
Inter Miami (4-3-1-2): Callender; Yedlin, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Alba; Busquets, Gressel, Arroyo; Messi; Farias, Taylor.
(Suárez to the bench pending late test.)

Tactical wrinkle to watch

Mascherano’s high full-backs leave acres behind DeAndre Yedlin—a zone Espinoza loves to attack. Miami try to counter by tucking Messi centrally and letting Facundo Farias drift wide, but that risks isolating the midfield trio already stretched without possession.

Bold score pick

San Jose’s momentum, home crowd and Miami’s leaky back line point to fireworks. Expect Messi magic but also Earthquakes pressure: San Jose 2-2 Inter Miami—late drama with both keepers busy.