The match may also feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for Inter Miami and Nashville players. Notably, Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville and Atlanta’s head coach Gabriel Heinze were teammates during their playing careers, with the pair sharing the pitch in 19 matches for Manchester United between 2004 and 2005.
A series of reunions may also be on the cards for a host of Argentine players on both squads. Nicolás Figal may face former Independiente teammate Ezequiel Barco, who he played alongside from 2016 to 2018. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Higuaín and Federico Higuaín could face Lisandro López once more after playing against him during their time plying their trade in Europe, and Julián Carranza may play against Alan Franco after previously facing each other in an Argentine top-flight match in 2019, where Carranza’s Banfield took on Franco’s Independiente.
Additionally, Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro may have a head to head against two compatriots, Jürgen Damm and Erick Torres. Pizarro was teammates with Damm at C.F. Pachuca from 2013 to 2015 and has also featured alongside him with the Mexican National Team, while he has lined up alongside Torres at various levels of the national team. Pizarro has also matched up against both in the past, competing Damm in a Concacaf Champions League matches and against Torres in a Liga MX game during his time as a Pachuca player.
Defender / midfielder Christian Makoun, meanwhile, could also play against his Venezuelan counterpart Ronald Hernández, who he played alongside with Zamora FC and Venezuela’s U-20 National Team. Defender Ryan Shawcross may have the chance to face Brad Guzan once more after facing each other six times during Shawcross’ tenure with Stoke City in the English Premier League. Lewis Morgan could face Jake Mulraney after playing against each other in Scottish Premier League games during his stint with Celtic F.C. and against Anton Walkes after playing against him five times in EFL League One action while playing for Sunderland AFC.
Lastly, LGP and Brek Shea will be facing their former side, while Atlanta’s Mikey Ambrose will return to South Florida after featuring as part of the Inter Miami roster for the team’s inaugural campaign in 2020.