Inter Miami have a date with history, needing a win on Saturday to set an MLS regular-season points record as they host the team that currently hold that record, the New England Revolution at Chase Stadium.
The Herons are in this position thanks to a late goal versus Toronto, winning 1-0, while the Revs can only hope to avoid finishing last in the Eastern Conference after getting trounced 4-0 by the Columbus Crew.
Match preview
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They have made it about as difficult on themselves as possible, but regardless, Miami are in a position to break an MLS regular-season record which has stood since 2021.
On four occasions domestically this season, the Herons have come away victorious thanks to a goal in second-half stoppage time, including their previous encounter with Toronto.
With 73 goals domestically this season, Miami have scored the third-most in a single MLS campaign, one fewer than the 2017 Toronto team and the 1998 edition of DC United, while Los Angeles FC in 2019 and the Los Angeles Galaxy side from 1998 are tied for the most-ever (85).
The Herons have won 10 regular-season contests this year in Fort Lauderdale and can set a new club record for home victories domestically by claiming maximum points on Saturday.
Since suffering a 3-1 defeat to Atlanta United in late May, Tata Martino's men are on a seven-match domestic unbeaten run at Chase Stadium while suffering fewer home defeats than anyone in the Eastern Conference.
Throughout the 2024 league season, Miami have reacted brilliantly after conceding, collecting 28 points when allowing the opening goal.
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The early season struggles of New England were too much to overcome, as the Revs will miss the playoffs for a second time in three years.
The Revs began the season with just four points from their first nine MLS fixtures and will head into Decision Day in equally poor form, having claimed just one victory in their previous nine league contests (1-0 over Nashville SC).
Caleb Porter's side have lost five consecutive away matches in this competition, conceding three or more times on four of those occasions.
A victory this weekend would ensure they do not finish bottom of the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2011, a season which saw them accumulate their fewest-ever points in a single campaign (28).
New England have already exceeded that total in 2024, but even with maximum points on Saturday, it would still go down as their second-worst 34-game season regarding points.
Saturday will be their fourth visit to Fort Lauderdale to face Miami, with the Revs' only away victory against them coming in 2021 (5-0).
Team News
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Miami were without David Martinez against Toronto due to a right adductor strain, CJ dos Santos was sidelined with a sore hand, Lawson Sunderland has a hamstring problem and Leo Afonso is dealing with a groin strain.
We do not expect to see Nicolas Freire or Facundo Farias feature in this one because of ACL injuries, while we do not believe that Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or Sergio Busquets will feature in the starting 11, but they may be brought on as substitutes should they need a goal.
Federico Redondo and Marcelo Weigandt are eligible to return from their yellow card suspensions this weekend, while Leonardo Campana had the only goal against Toronto and Oscar Ustari collected a clean sheet in place of first-choice keeper Drake Callender, who was rested.
Given that there is little to play for in New England, we do not expect them to see former league MVP Carles Gil, who is recovering from a knock, Will Sands started their last match despite previously hurting his hip and Tomas Chancalay is out because of a knee injury.
Several players, including Peyton Miller, Xavier Arreaga, Alhassan Yusuf, and Esmir Bajraktarevic, should return from the international break for New England.
Ian Harkes collected his 50th MLS start for the Revs in their previous encounter, and Dylan Borrero played the full 90 minutes, his first start since September 14.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Ustari; Aviles, Kryvtsov, Allen; Gressel, Ruiz, Redondo, Bright; Rojas, Taylor; Campana
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Bye, Parker, Romney, Sands; Polster, Kaye; N. Gil, Harkes, Boateng; Vrioni
We say: Inter Miami 2-1 New England Revolution
The Herons tend to wait until the bitter end, and we believe eventually, they will find a couple of magical moments to score and collect maximum points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
