Inter Miami has passed its first test since the surprising departure of coach Javier Mascherano. As interim coach Guillermo Hoyos would testify, it helps that Lionel Messi is at his peak.
The Herons complete a two-game journey through the Rocky Mountains when they play Real Salt Lake on Wednesday in Sandy, Utah.
Messi scored from a penalty in the 18th minute and set up his own match-winner with a fine run in the 79th minute of Miami’s 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. The game was played at the Denver Broncos’ stadium in front of a crowd of 75,824 fans.
That was the first appearance for Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) since Mascherano announced his resignation, citing «personal reasons,» just months after guiding the club to the MLS Cup title.
“The best coach in the world is on the field,” Hoyos said afterwards. “We have the best player in history who changes the course of games and a team that has given everything in terms of football.”
Hoyos was Miami’s athletic director before replacing Mascherano. With the Herons sitting second in the Eastern Conference, his job now is to keep the club on a steady path.
“This result represents a continuity of what was done,” Hoyos said.
His team will have a quick turnaround against Real Salt Lake (RSL) (5-1-1, 16 points), which has started a three-match homestand with two-goal wins over Sporting Kansas City and San Diego FC.
Diego Luna scored within the first five minutes of each match and Sergi Solans scored three goals in that period. The powerful attack was exactly what RSL coach Pablo Mastroeni wanted to see.
“We have to get the fans involved and be electric and front foot,” Mastroeni said before the San Diego match. “Both (San Diego and Miami) offer opportunities in transition and we have improved dramatically in that area.”
Neither RSL nor Miami have lost since dropping their respective season openers on Feb. 21. They have scored 16 goals each this year, with Messi scoring seven for Miami and Solans five for RSL.
Messi’s fellow player Luis Suarez could withdraw after not being used against Colorado.
Meanwhile, Miami forward Mateo Silvetti (hamstring) participated in practice on Monday, according to the Miami Herald, and his status for the game is up in the air. The twenty-year-old scored two goals.
Published on April 22, 2026
