Mascherano weighs Ustari or Rios Novo to start at keeper vs. Nashville Saturday
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano faces what he calls a “good problem” as the team heads into the most critical part of the MLS season.
He must decide whether to start 39-year-old experienced leader Oscar Ustari or emergent 23-year-old Rocco Rios Novo as goalkeeper for the regular-season finale on the road at Nashville SC on Saturday and the playoffs, which begin the following week.
Ustari, who struggled in a 5-3 home loss to the Chicago Fire a few weeks ago, was replaced by Rios Novo in the starting lineup for the past two games and has played well. Rios Novo conceded one goal in a 4-1 win against the New England Revolution and had a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory against Atlanta United.
Mascherano was asked after the Atlanta game about the goalkeeper situation. He said: “Rocco had a very good game. He was called up and responded very well. It is very important for us to elevate healthy internal competition at all positions. Then, I have the responsibility to decide what I feel is best for each game. It is a good problem to have.”
Ustari had assumed the starting role this year when Drake Callender, who has since been traded to Charlotte FC, was injured while with the U.S. national team in January. He started 25 of Miami’s 33 league matches and conceded 41 goals with a 1.77 goals against average per 90 minutes.
The Argentine has made more than 400 appearances in his career, which included stops in Spain and England, and is a longtime friend of Lionel Messi, with whom he won the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Championship and an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
In May, Inter Miami signed Ustari to a contract extension through the 2026 season with guaranteed compensation of $744,000 this year.
Rios Novo joined the team in January for a base salary of $104,000 and guaranteed compensation of $122,866. He was claimed via the MLS waiver protocol on a one-year loan from Argentine side Club Atlético Lanús through the 2025 season, with an option to make the transfer permanent at the conclusion of the loan.
He spent the previous two seasons with Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship, on loan from Lanús. At the club level, the young goalkeeper has all of his competitive appearances in the United States, playing in competitions like MLS, USL Championship and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
A Mexican Argentine native of Los Angeles, Ríos Novo moved to Argentina as a toddler and was raised there. He began his career in the youth ranks of Lanús. At 18, he was loaned to Atlanta United 2 and later played with the first team.
Rios Novo said he is not sure who will start Saturday, but he feels confident after his recent performances and will be ready if he is called upon. He has played nine MLS matches for Inter Miami and allowed seven goals with a .90 goals against average over 90 minutes.
His highlight this season was the penalty kicks win against Mexican club Necaxa in the Leagues Cup first round. Rios Novo stepped in for injured Ustari and made a massive save in the penalty-kick shootout to help the team advance after the game ended 2-2 in regulation.
“We haven’t spoken yet about who will start [against Nashville], but we’re just working, giving 100% and always have to be ready for what happens,” he said Wednesday morning after training. “I feel good. Obviously, there are things to improve, but I feel confident… All three of us are ready, no matter who starts. The important thing is for the team to keep winning heading into the playoffs.”
Rios Novo said he has evolved as a keeper since he arrived in January and credited Ustari, Callendar and Will Yarbrough for his improvement.
“I have gotten to play some games, and as a keeper there is nothing better than game experience,” he said. “You are presented with situations in games that you can’t experience in training. I have grown as a keeper learning from the others.”
As a young Argentine, he said he gets extra motivation playing alongside Messi, adding that he was inspired when Messi chose club over country last weekend, skipping the Argentina vs Venezuela friendly and delivering two goals and an assist against Atlanta.
“Imagine that,” Rios Novo said, smiling. “It’s impressive. It gives me pride to know that he gave up the national team, something so important, to play for us. That shows the commitment he was with his teammates and the club. And obviously, it motivates us to keep helping him.”
He has not spoken to the club about his future after this season. For now, his mind is on the task at hand.
“Our team has the talent to compete for the MLS Cup, and that is what we are focused on,” he said.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM.