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Mar 9, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Charlotte FC defender Nathan Byrne (14) argues with Inter Miami CF midfielder David Ruiz (41) as midfielder Federico Redondo (55) will get in between them after the sport at Chase Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Pictures It might be a historic night time for Charlotte FC after they host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday night time in a match with main playoff implications.
Charlotte (16-11-2, 50 factors) has soared into third place within the Japanese Convention whereas on an eight-match successful streak, and may clinch a postseason berth with a victory so long as the New York Purple Bulls don’t earn a win over the Portland Timbers.
A ninth consecutive victory would tie the all-time MLS document, not counting the shootout period from 1996-99.
Inter Miami (13-5-7, 46 factors) are coming off a tumultuous 3-0 loss to Seattle on Aug. 31 within the Leagues Cup last. That match ended with an unpleasant postgame scuffle, which led to the suspension of ahead Luis Suarez for six 2026 Leagues Cup video games and the membership’s subsequent three MLS matches.
Miami resides in sixth place within the East however has three video games extra to play than fifth-place Orlando Metropolis and 4 greater than the highest 4 groups together with Charlotte, nonetheless giving the membership the chance to ascend to the highest of the convention by common season’s finish.
That effort should start towards Charlotte earlier than what’s anticipated to be a hostile sold-out crowd of 35,000.
“We have got an necessary run of video games the place we’re combating for the MLS, which is an goal, and I hope to be at my finest,” Messi instructed reporters after enjoying in Argentina’s current World Cup qualifier final week.
Charlotte will likely be with out head coach Dean Smith on the sideline. Affiliate head coach Miles Joseph will lead the staff as Smith serves a one-game suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
Charlotte’s Pep Biel (10 targets), and the improved play of goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, have been main elements within the membership’s surge in current weeks and a purpose for optimism regardless of Smith’s impending absence.
“We actually might go and compete for a championship,” Smith mentioned. “Whoever we come up towards, we might fancy ourselves. We have crushed most groups this season already. So I do not see any purpose why, if our run of type continues, why we could not.”
–Discipline Stage Media
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