-
place
- Now the stadium
-
referee
- Lukasz Szpala
Inter Miami v DC United preview
Lionel Messi has said goodbye to Argentina. Now he needs help Inter Miami say goodbye to a fall. The host of the reigning MLS Cup champion DC United at the Nu Stadium on Saturday night, with both teams desperate for points as the regular season enters its final stretch.
Miami’s form in the international bracket was a real concern. A 7-1 thrashing of CF Montreal seemed like a statement at the time, but it was followed by four straight draws against Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, Nashville and San Diego, and then a 2-1 loss at the Columbus Crew. That’s five league games without a win and just one league win since the start of August.
Kily Gonzalez’s team has dropped 21 points in that span and has fallen to third in the Eastern Conference on goal difference, just one point ahead of fourth-place Chicago. The frustrating part is how many of those points have been thrown away from winning positions. Miami has dropped eight points at home since August in games they led in the second half, and their last three home league games have finished 2-2.
Messi, at least, is still giving. He scored in four straight competitive games for Miami before the break, and returns to club duty after playing his final game for Argentina on Tuesday.
DC United is fighting just to make the postseason. René Weiler’s team is in 11th place in the Eastthree points below the play-off line with eight games remaining, and is at risk of missing out for a seventh consecutive season. One win in their last nine regular-season games, a 2-1 win over Columbus, tells the story, although they showed plenty of fight in a 3-3 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps last time out, with Kimito Nono scoring twice and captain Lucas Bartlett adding the other.
History is on Miami’s side. They are unbeaten in their last six MLS meetings with DC and won the last two by a single goal, including a 2-1 win in front of more than 72,000 fans at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium in March when Messi and Rodrigo De Paul scored. DC’s last win in South Florida was in June 2023.
Major League Soccer Table
Conference of the East
-
position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: Round of 16)
-
position 8, 9: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: 1/16 final)
Inter Miami v DC United team news
Messi is available and expected to start after returning from international duty. Luis Suarez should lead the line alongside him.
Miami has some problems elsewhere. Ian Fray is a doubt with a groin strain, Mateo Silvetti is nursing a sore shoulder and Tadeo Allende has a knee injury. Israel Boatwright remains a long-term absentee after tearing a cruciate ligament, while Santiago Morales is suspended.
For DC United, top scorer Tai Baribo is doubtful due to fitness issues, which would be a big blow given he has 14 goals this season. Gabriel Segal is also questionable as he continues to recover from an ankle injury picked up in the summer.
Expected lineups for Inter Miami-DC United
Inter Miami: St Clair; Luján, Casemiro, Micael, Reguilón; De Paul, Bright, Ayala; Messi, Suárez, Pinter
DC United: Johnson; Hefti, Bartlett, Rowles, Kurokawa; Nono, Hopkins, Dozzell, Kijima; Stroud, Peglow
Inter Miami v DC United recent form and stats
- Inter Miami are winless in their last five MLS games (D4 L1) and have won just once in the league since the start of August.
- Miami’s last three MLS home games have ended 2-2
- The Herons have lost just once in their last nine league games at the Nu Stadium
- Miami is unbeaten in its last six MLS meetings with DC United and won the last two by one goal
- Lionel Messi scored in four straight competitive games for Miami before the international break
- DC United have won just one of their last nine MLS games and are winless in their last five away games
- DC sits three points below the Eastern Conference playoff spot with eight games to play
- Tai Baribo has 14 goals for DC United this season
- DC’s last win over Miami in Florida was in June 2023, a 2-1 victory in Fort Lauderdale.
Where to watch Inter Miami v DC United: TV and online streams
Inter Miami v DC United kicks off at 19:30 ET on Saturday 10 October, which is 12:30 BST on Sunday 11 October for UK viewers, at the Nu Stadium in Miami.
The match is streamed live worldwide with the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, including in the UK and US.
Inter Miami-DC United Prediction
It’s been an emotionally draining week for Messi, but you should never count him out. He will be the engine for Miami to get the season back.
Inter Miami
2-0
DC United
