Inter Miami are looking to make it 10 wins in a row as they host Nashville on Wednesday. The hosts have been in excellent form since Lionel Messi’s arrival. They are now sitting in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, while the guests are up in seventh.
Preview (Inter Miami vs. Nashville)
With just 21 points from their first 23 games, Inter Miami is second-bottom in the Eastern Conference after a very sluggish start to the season, but they could yet make a late push for the postseason spots. The Herons are presently behind the ninth-placed Chicago Fire by 11 points, but they still have two games remaining. Their recent performance suggests they may be able to close the distance.
Inter Miami first claimed the Leagues Cup trophy after defeating Nashville SC in a penalty shootout in the championship game. Since then, they have advanced to the US Open Cup final. The Herons overcame a two-goal deficit to tie the game 3-3 in regulation time. They then won on penalties to advance to the final against the Houston Dynamo at the end of September. This victory came against FC Cincinnati in the semi-final. Martino’s team will be concentrating on the MLS in the interim. Messi is off to a great start after scoring the second goal in a 2-0 victory over New York.
Nashville, who defeated teams like FC Cincinnati, Club America, and Minnesota United when the MLS was suspended, will be eager to exact revenge for their loss in the Leagues Cup final earlier this month. They have dropped six of their previous seven MLS contests. They haven’t had success away from home since early June. Gary Smith’s team is still in a strong position to finish in the top seven, despite a significant drop in form. They are now three points ahead of CF Montreal in third place. They will need to pick up winning streaks shortly.
Nashville SC promptly reverted to form in the MLS in their most recent encounter, losing 4-0 away at Atlanta United in a game where they never looked like scoring and only managed one shot on goal. This came after Nashville SC impressed in the Leagues Cup.
Team News
Messi was rested by Inter Miami against the New York Red Bulls for the first hour, but the 36-year-old had a significant effect off the bench, scoring his 11th goal in his previous nine matches, and he is expected to play on Wednesday. Given that Nashville SC was brutally defeated by Atlanta United on their previous outing, Smith may decide to make a few changes to his team despite the fact that they only have one player out injured, Nick DePuy, who is currently out.
Sam Surridge, who has three goals in his last five games, may play with Teal Bunbury in the striker position. Since Messi joined Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain, the team has been just amazing, while Nashville SC has been in terrible form in the MLS, dropping six of their previous seven games. Although it was a close game last time in the Leagues Cup final, Inter Miami ultimately prevailed. On Wednesday, we anticipate them to continue their winning streak against their opponents.
Inter Miami 2 – 1 Nashville
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