Inter Miami to be without starting goalkeeper as it looks to rebound vs. Red Bulls
Inter Miami saw its positive momentum from a five-game MLS winning streak sapped by rival FC Cincinnati this past Wednesday.
The club has a narrow, two-day window on the road to regroup from its 3-0 loss before it faces the playoff-contending New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, (7:30 AppleTV MLS Season Pass) on Saturday night.
The Red Bulls are coming off a dramatic, 5-3 comeback win over New England during which they scored five second-half goals and erased a 2-0 deficit. Inter Miami beat the Red Bulls in their first meeting this season 4-1 on May 3 at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami will look to take down the Red Bulls short-handed as coach Javier Mascherano confirmed on Friday that starting goalkeeper Oscar Ustari will not be available.
Ustari, who suffered what looked like an injury to his lower left side, exited Wednesday’s game in the 25th minute and was replaced by Rocco Rios Novo, who will get the start Saturday.
Mascherano did not give specifics on Ustari’s injury, but said he underwent testing for it and clearly would not be available against the Red Bulls.
“I wouldn’t be able to say how long he’ll be out. The doctors can probably say better as the next few days play themselves out,” Mascherano said. “Hopefully, it’s not a long absence.”
Brazilian superstar Evander scored two of its goals for Cincinnati in the second half with Rios Novo in goal. On his second, he tapped home a rebound off a save by Rios Novo on a prior shot by Luca Orellano, but Evander tapped home a rebound.
It’s unclear how long Utsari will be out, but his absence could present an additional problem. It potentially leaves an Inter Miami squad dealing with the fatigue of a busy schedule thin at goalkeeper.
Rios Novo is getting the nod ahead of recently acquired William Yarbrough, who has yet to play for the team. And veteran Drake Callender is still not ready to return as he recovers from surgery for a sports hernia.
Rios Novo played the final 65 minutes in relief of Ustari on Wednesday, and has done so twice prior — once against Columbus on May 31 in a 5-1 win and after Ustari was issued a red card in a 1-0 win over Charlotte on March 9.
“Rocco has played for us when Oscar wasn’t here and when Drake has missed time so he’s our second keeper with Drake out,” Mascherano said. “It’s his turn now.”
Inter Miami (11-4-5, 38 points), which remained in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings after Wednesday’s loss, is about to play its ninth game across all competitions in a span of 36 days.
After facing the Red Bulls (9-8-6, 33 points), Inter Miami will have a week before its next match July 26 at home against Cincinnati. But Miami’s next four matches will come over a span of 15 days as it begins competing in the Leagues Cup on July 30.
“We all hate losing, and we had good momentum going so a loss like that has repercussions on your mood, but there’s no time to dwell on it,” Mascherano said. “We’re going to go out there with who we have and try to finish this marathon we’ve been on and secure a win that will keep us in the hunt for the top spot in the standings.”
Mascherano said despite the short turnaround he doesn’t expect to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup, although he did consider the possibility of using a deeper rotation to balance getting his regulars rest and rolling with the best possible lineup.
MESSI EXPECTED TO START
He said Lionel Messi is expected to start against the Red Bulls “assuming he feels good to go.”
Mascherano said there has been no decision made yet as to whether Messi will play in the upcoming MLS All-Star Game next Wednesday in Austin.
Messi ranks second in MLS in scoring with 16 goals behind only Nashville’s Sam Surridge’s 17, and has 22 goal contributions in 17 league matches this season.
Messi had his record-breaking streak of five consecutive games with multiple goals snapped when he was held scoreless against Cincinnati.
Messi and Jordi Alba were the two players selected to play for the MLS All-Stars in the event.
“I really don’t have anything to say on it,” Mascherano said. “I honestly wish they’d have the time to rest since we have a week off, but it’s not my decision and as far as I know the club hasn’t decided.”
David Ruiz (hamstring) did not play against Cincinnati, but was listed as questionable heading into Saturday’s game, as was Allen Obando (hamstring). Noah Allen (hamstring), Ian Fray (adductor), Baltasar Rodriguez (hamstring) and Callender are all out. Federico Redondo was not listed on the latest MLS injury report.
This story was originally published July 18, 2025 at 12:50 PM.
