Inter Miami can extend their unbeaten run in MLS play to seven matches when they host DC United on Saturday at Chase Stadium.
The Herons' five-match winning run ended on Wednesday when they played to a 0-0 draw with Orlando City, while the Black and Red were beaten 4-1 by the New York Red Bulls.
Match preview
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In a rare occurrence to this stage of the MLS campaign, Miami played a relatively clean defensive game in midweek, posting their first clean sheet since opening the regular season with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake.
At the same time, it was just the second time in league play this year that Tata Martino's side failed to find the back of the net, though they have not been held scoreless in consecutive MLS games since May 2023.
Their draw on Wednesday means that only goal difference is keeping them above FC Cincinnati in the Supporters' Shield standings and first place in the Eastern Conference.
Since suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to CF Montreal in March, the Herons are unbeaten in their last four league contests at Chase Stadium, winning the previous two by a combined margin of 9-3.
Miami have found the back of the net at least once in their last eight regular-season fixtures at Chase Stadium, netting multiple times in six of seven MLS home matches this year.
They have points in three of their last four meetings versus DC United but lost their previous home game against them in 2023 (2-1).
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In the US capital, the Black and Red continue to struggle at home, dropping points in three of their last four encounters at Audi Field this week.
That has dropped them down to eighth in the Eastern Conference table, just three points above Nashville SC, who are on the outside of the playoff picture.
Troy Lesesne's men have struggled defensively lately, conceding multiple strikes in five of their last six MLS games while allowing 23 goals to this stage of the season, tied for the second-most in the Eastern Conference.
Being on the road for two of their next three league contests may be what is best for them to regain some confidence in their 2024 campaign.
DC have points in five of their six away matches played in MLS this season, including a 3-2 triumph at Atlanta United in their previous road contest.
The Black and Red have never lost to Inter Miami at Chase Stadium, winning two of three visits there in the regular season, including the last time out as previously mentioned in 2023.
Team News
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Lionel Messi missed the midweek encounter for Miami after taking an apparent knock to his knee, and he is considered questionable for Saturday.
Shanyder Borgelin missed the game on Wednesday with a hamstring injury, Federico Redondo was sidelined due to an LCL issue and Robbie Robinson sat out because of a knee injury.
Diego Gomez is dealing with an ankle sprain, Facundo Farias is out for the year due to a torn ACL, Ian Fray is still hoping to return soon from his ACL injury and Jordi Alba returned to the fold, coming on as a substitute on Wednesday.
Russell Canouse missed the previous match for DC due to a health issue, while Conner Antley is likely out for the remainder of the campaign because of a torn ACL.
On Tuesday, the club loaned defender Matai Akinmboni to Loudoun United FC in the United Soccer League (USL) until the end of the year but will still be able to call him up at any point during the current MLS campaign.
Lucas Bartlett had the only goal for DC United on Wednesday against the Red Bulls, his first of the 2024 domestic season.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender, Weigandt, Kryvtsov, Freire, Alba; Gressel, Busquets, Ruiz; Rojas, Suarez, Campana
DC United possible starting lineup:
Bono; Herrera, McVey, Bartlett, Peltola, Jeahze; Pirani, Rodriguez, Klich; Ku-DiPietro, Benteke
We say: Inter Miami 1-2 DC United
If Messi cannot go as anticipated, the Herons could have difficulty creating some dangerous scoring opportunities, as we saw in their midweek affair.
Whether he plays or not, Miami have not proven to be consistently strong at the back, and they will be facing one of the deadliest strikers in the league in Christian Benteke, who we believe will make the difference for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
