Players 'in awe' of Lionel Messi will be benched by New England Revolution boss Caleb Porter Saturday evening vs Inter Miami

A crowd of over 60,000 is expected at Gillette Stadium Saturday evening, from fans to celebrities, with all hoping to get a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d'or winner in action.

Revs boss Caleb Porter has stated that the players in his starting XI, meanwhile, will not be a part of that group.

“The guys are excited. It’s going to be a packed stadium. I think it’s the [second] largest attended soccer match in Boston sports history,” Porter said on 98.5 The Sports Hub. “So, if you can’t get up for that type of game, if you can’t get excited, and if you can’t perform in that game, you shouldn’t be here.”

On his selection for Saturday evening, the Revs boss chimed in adding:

“If they are [in awe], they shouldn’t be here,” Porter said. “You could every week be in awe of somebody in our league. We’ve got a lot of big-time players in our league.

“It’s similar to asking like, are you in awe in the NBA if you’re playing against LeBron James? If you are, you shouldn’t be in the NBA. I’m trying not to start any guys that I think might be in awe. “After each game, you look at the guy that wants to get [Messi’s] jersey first. Not sure you want to be the guy asking for his jersey.”

The Revs have had a howling start to the season, going 1-1-6 through eight matches to begin the campaign. Porter is on the hot seat, despite just joining the organization in the offseason. If he cannot pull off a result against the Herons Saturday, it would put them potentially 10 points outside an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The Revs and the Herons will clash Saturday evening in MLS action. Miami will look to grow on their positive form of late, while the Revs will look to earn a much-needed win.