No Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or Jordi Alba! Inter Miami without star trio for MLS clash with D.C. United as Tata Martino makes big bench call

Messi's absence from the team was expected, with assistant coach Javier Morales saying that the Argentine was unlikely to feature. The iconic attacker didn't even make the bench, having been removed from Miami's midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Nashville due to a slight injury.

Suarez and Alba, meanwhile, were named to the bench, with Leo Campana starting at striker and Noah Allen deputizing in Alba's left-back role. One of the former Barcelona stars did make the XI, though, as Sergio Busquets remains in the midfield.

Miami enter the match riding a solid start to the season, despite last week's loss to CF Montreal. The Herons have seven points from their first four games, a decent haul, and advanced in the CONCACAF Champions Cup thanks to their win over Nashville SC.

The club faces some time without Messi, though, as the attacker is set to join up with Argentina, ruling him out for upcoming MLS matches.

Following their match against D.C. United on Saturday, Miami will be back in action on March 23 when they head to Red Bull Arena to take on the New York Red Bulls without Messi available. He'll be joining Argentina for a pair of upcoming friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica.