Inter Miami will inch closer to MLS Eastern Conference crown if they beat Charlotte on Saturday night.
Inter Miami will be aiming to edge closer to securing their first-ever Eastern Conference title when they host Charlotte FC at Chase Stadium this Saturday. While the visitors managed a significant victory in their last outing, they will be keen to halt a streak of three consecutive away defeats as they push for a post-season berth.
Miami’s pursuit of the Eastern Conference crown suffered a slight setback last weekend when they were held to a 1-1 draw by New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. Despite taking the lead through Leonardo Campana’s 75th-minute goal, Gerardo Martino’s men conceded a last-gasp equalizer in the 95th minute, courtesy of James Sands’ header.
Prior to that draw, Miami saw their five-game winning streak in the league end with another draw against Atlanta United on September 19. The Five Stripes twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 result, with goals from Saba Lobjanidze and Aleksei Miranchuk cancelling out Miami’s efforts.
Despite these minor setbacks, Inter Miami remain firmly in control at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. With 64 points from 30 matches, they hold an eight-point lead over second-placed FC Cincinnati and are on track to clinch the Supporters’ Shield. Additionally, they are just 10 points away from breaking the MLS regular-season points record of 73, set by the New England Revolution in 2021.
Charlotte FC reignited their playoff hopes with a commanding 4-0 victory over 10-man New England Revolution last Saturday. After Dylan Borrero’s dismissal in the first half, goals from Liel Abada, Pep Biel, Patrick Agyemang, and Kerwin Vargas sealed an emphatic win for Dean Smith’s side.
This victory was much-needed for a team that had gone six games without a win, collecting just three points from a possible 18. Smith will hope that last weekend’s result can serve as a springboard for a strong finish to the regular season, as Charlotte currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 41 points from 30 games.
While level on points with seventh-placed New York City FC, Charlotte have a six-point cushion over 10th-placed Montreal, just outside the play-in positions. A positive result against Inter Miami would bolster their chances of securing a playoff spot. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Miami
Inter Miami will be missing several key players in their upcoming match. Nicolas Freire (ACL), and Facundo Farias (ACL) are all set to remain sidelined, leaving gaps in the team’s central defence and midfield. Additionally, Matias Rojas is out due to an ankle injury, while Diego Gomez and David Martinez are both unavailable after sustaining injuries against Philadelphia Union on September 15.
Brazilian forward Leonardo Afonso continues his recovery from a groin strain suffered back in August, and suspensions to Jordi Alba and Noah Allen following their yellow card accumulation against New York City further deplete Gerardo Martino’s options.
In their probable 4-3-3 formation, Drake Callender is expected to start in goal. The defensive line may feature Franco Fray at right-back, with Tomas Aviles and Serhiy Kryvtsov in central defence and Franco Negri taking up the left-back position.
In midfield, Julian Gressel, Yannick Bright, and Federico Redondo are likely to form the trio, providing support both defensively and offensively. Up front, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are set to lead the attack, flanked by Robert Taylor on the left wing, forming a potent offensive unit for Inter Miami.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Callender; Fray, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Negri; Gressel, Bright, Redondo; Messi, Suarez, Taylor
Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC will be without Serbian midfielder Nikola Petkovic, who remains sidelined for the third consecutive league match due to a knee injury. Adding to the Crown’s injury concerns, Jahlane Forbes is also unavailable after suffering a hip problem in mid-August. This leaves head coach Dean Smith with limited options as his team heads into a crucial clash.
In the 4-2-3-1 formation, Kristijan Kahlina is set to start in goal. The back four may feature Nathan Byrne at right-back, Adilson Malanda and Andrew Privett forming the central defensive partnership, and Tim Ream at left-back. In the double pivot, Ashley Westwood and Brandt Bronico are likely to hold the midfield, providing stability and linking play.
Ahead of them, Pep Biel could occupy the right flank, while Junior Urso takes up the central attacking midfield role, and Liel Abada operates on the left. Polish striker Karol Swiderski is expected to lead the line as the team’s primary forward.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Westwood, Bronico; Biel, Urso, Abada; Swiderski
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- Inter Miami have won five of their last eight encounters against Charlotte FC, including their most recent three meetings, which indicates their upper hand in this fixture historically.
- Inter Miami have remained unbeaten in their last 10 home matches across all competitions, with seven wins and three draws, showcasing their strength at the Chase Stadium.
- Charlotte FC have lost their last three away matches in the MLS, conceding a total of nine goals during this period, which highlights their defensive vulnerabilities on the road.
- Lionel Messi has been directly involved in 10 goals in his last six appearances for Inter Miami, with six goals and four assists.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi remains the focal point for Inter Miami, bringing his extraordinary talent and vision to the heart of their attacking play. Despite a quiet performance in the last match, the Argentine maestro has been in sensational form, directly contributing to ten goals in his previous six appearances.
His ability to unlock defences with precision passing, coupled with his clinical finishing, makes him a constant threat. Messi’s experience and leadership will be crucial as Inter Miami push for the Eastern Conference title, and he will be expected to orchestrate their play against Charlotte FC. His presence on the field is sure to be a game-changer, and all eyes will be on him to deliver another stellar performance.
Prediction
Inter Miami 3-1 Charlotte FC
Given their impressive form and the stakes at hand, Inter Miami are the favourites to secure a victory at home. Charlotte FC will need a robust defensive performance and clinical finishing to cause an upset. But Gerardo Martino’s side should have enough firepower to claim all three points.