Nashville SC is setting its sights on the top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference this Saturday as they face off against Inter Miami at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
After a challenging experience in the FIFA Club World Cup, where Inter Miami suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16, they seem to have found their footing in MLS. The Herons bounced back with impressive back-to-back victories, initially overwhelming CF Montréal with a commanding 4-1 win after falling behind early.
They followed that performance with a narrow 2-1 victory over New England Revolution on Wednesday night, illustrating their resilience and ability to compete at a high level.
On the other hand, Nashville SC has been on a remarkable run, extending their unbeaten streak across all competitions to 15 games with a thrilling 5-2 comeback victory over DC United in the US Open Cup quarter-finals. This season has been a stark contrast to the previous one, where Nashville finished in 13th place in the Eastern Conference.
Currently, they are second with 42 points from 21 matches, already surpassing last season’s total by five points. They now find themselves just one point behind league leaders FC Cincinnati, making this matchup crucial for their aspirations.
Fans eager to watch this exciting clash can tune in through various platforms in the United States. The match will be streamed live on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Apple TV, FS1, and FOX Deportes. For those looking to watch it from abroad, using a virtual private network (VPN) such as NordVPN can facilitate access to the usual streaming services.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, July 12.
Inter Miami’s current form has been highlighted by the efforts of Lionel Messi, who has become the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four consecutive matches, achieving a brace in each. His continued contributions have been vital for the team, as head coach Javier Mascherano has relied on the Argentine superstar, even after initially planning to rest him during the midweek match.
Despite Messi’s brilliance, Mascherano acknowledges the necessity for the 38-year-old to receive a break soon. In addition to Messi, the Miami lineup could feature Luis Suárez up front, while Tadeo Allende and Allen Obando may provide depth in the attacking options.
Inter Miami is facing potential fitness concerns ahead of the match. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari is currently a doubt due to a knock from the previous game against New England, while Benjamin Cremaschi is contending to reclaim his midfield position from Federico Redondo to partner with Sergio Busquets.
Meanwhile, Nashville SC is navigating through its own roster challenges, dealing with injuries that will sideline Tyler Boyd, Maximus Ekk, Taylor Washington, and Tate Schmitt. Wyatt Meyer and Jacob Shaffelburg are also doubtful due to their respective fitness issues and will need to be assessed before the kickoff.
Adding to their troubles, Nashville will be without Jonathan Perez, who is suspended following a red card received in the match against Philadelphia. This absence opens up an opportunity for Ahmed Qasem to start on the wing, while Alex Muyl is expected to occupy the opposite flank.
Leading Nashville’s attack is Sam Surridge, who is currently on top of the Golden Boot race with 16 goals, showcasing his prowess by scoring 10 times in the last seven matches. Supporting him will be team captain Hany Mukhtar, who has also been in exceptional form with nine goals and eight assists, maintaining a streak of goal contributions over the past seven matches.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal encounter, the anticipation among fans is palpable, with Nashville SC aiming to solidify its position in the standings while Inter Miami looks to continue its resurgence.
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