JuicyTalk
Nashville enter the final day of the MLS regular season still unsure of their play-off place, with three clubs just behind them ready to capitalise on any slip-up.
A victory against Inter Miami would seal their spot and ease the nerves in Tennessee.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, have their sights set on finishing second in the Eastern Conference. Maximum points at GEODIS Park could secure that position if results elsewhere go their way – an achievement that would grant them home advantage deeper into the post-season.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Nashville sit sixth in the standings, level on points with teams chasing them, but with more wins giving them a narrow edge.
BJ Callaghan’s men are unbeaten in three matches across all competitions and boast the third-best home record in the conference, losing just twice in 16 games.
However, Nashville’s record against Miami makes for grim reading – they’ve lost the last four meetings between the two sides and haven’t beaten the Herons in their last eight attempts.
Still, buoyed by US Open Cup success earlier this month and a strong home crowd, they will hope to defy history.
For Javier Mascherano’s Miami, the objective is clear: keep winning. Though the Supporters’ Shield is out of reach, they can still finish second and head into the play-offs in red-hot form.
The Herons have scored a league-high 76 goals and are coming off consecutive 4-0 wins, with Lionel Messi continuing to lead the charge.
Team news for Nashville v Inter Miami
Nashville’s injury list remains lengthy. Julian Gaines (thigh), Wyatt Meyer (foot), Jonny Perez (thigh) and long-term absentee Taylor Washington (knee) are all out.
Ahmed Qasem could return after missing three games but may only make the bench, while midfielder Matthew Corcoran is back from international duty with the USA Under-19s.
Sam Surridge will once again be the key man for the hosts. Fresh off winning the US Open Cup Golden Boot, the English striker sits third in the MLS scoring charts with 23 goals.
For Miami, Messi continues to dominate the headlines with 26 goals, while Jordi Alba has contributed 14 assists from left-back. The veteran trio of Messi, Busquets, and Alba will be central to Mascherano’s plans once again.
Allen Obando and David Ruiz are still sidelined with hamstring issues, and Mateo Silvetti is unavailable as he competes in the U20 World Cup final with Argentina. Ruiz, however, recently extended his deal until 2028, underlining his growing importance.
Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia, and Ian Fray will all return from international duty, and Maxi Falcon is back from suspension after serving a one-match ban.
Expected line-ups for Nashville v Inter Miami
Nashville: Willis; Bauer, Maher, Zimmerman, Lovitz; Brugman, Acosta, Muyl; Boyd, Mukhtar, Surridge
Inter Miami: Rios; Fray, Allen, Maxi Falcon, Alba; De Paul, Bright, Busquets, Segovia; Messi; Suarez
How to watch Nashville v Inter Miami: TV channel, online stream
The match will be available to stream live on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass for global audiences.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:30pm local time (9:30pm ET / 2:30am BST).
The stats for Nashville v Inter Miami
- Nashville have won just two of their last eight MLS matches
- Inter Miami have won four straight head-to-heads against Nashville
- The Herons have scored 76 league goals this season — the most in MLS
- Nashville boast the third-best home record in the Eastern Conference (W10 D4 L2)
- Lionel Messi leads the MLS scoring charts with 26 goals, while Sam Surridge has 23
Prediction
Nashville’s strong home form could make this competitive, but Miami’s firepower and confidence are difficult to ignore.
With Messi and Suarez in fine form and a full-strength squad returning, the visitors look poised to edge it – continuing their dominance in this fixture and securing a morale-boosting finish before the playoffs.
Nashville 1-2 Inter Miami
