Inter Miami, coming off two disappointing road results, will strive to return to the win column when they host Charlotte FC on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Miami (19-4-7, 64 points) still has the Supporters’ Shield lead with four matches remaining, but gave up late leads in draws against Atlanta United (2-2) and New York City FC (1-1). That’s even with superstar Lionel Messi in the fold, who has played in three matches — and has started twice — since returning from a two-month injury layoff.
Getting Messi back to full fitness will be a major focus for Miami heading into the postseason, said coach Tata Martino.
“He needs a rhythm of competition, which gives me the idea that he is going to reach the playoffs very well, because in addition to the games with us, he has the games with the Argentinian national team,” Martino said, according to ESPN. “So we have high hopes that he will come into the playoffs in very good shape.”
Charlotte (11-11-8, 41 points) is sixth in the Eastern Conference with four matches left, and could even clinch an MLS Cup playoff spot with a win if other results around the league turn out in its favor. It snapped a three-match losing streak with a 4-0 win over 10-man New England on Sept. 21 as Patrick Agyemang scored his team-leading eighth goal.
“I think it took a lot of weight off a few of the players’ minds,” Charlotte coach Dean Smith said of the win. “We had a few players … who I thought were out of a little bit of form, and (against New England) they went and played themselves into form, and that can happen very quickly in football.”
Messi didn’t play in Miami’s 2-1 win over Charlotte on July 3, but he won’t be the primary focus this time, said Smith, considering teammate Luis Suarez has 17 goals (tied for second in MLS) and six assists. Leonardo Campana (seven goals) has scored in back-to-back matches.
“We can’t just concentrate on (Messi),” Smith said. “We know that he can be a game-changer and we’ve got to be aware of him. But there are other players on the pitch that can score as well.”
–Field Level Media