When Inter Miami hosts Charlotte FC at Chase Stadium on Saturday, they'll be looking to move one step closer to winning their first-ever Eastern Conference championship. Even though the visitors won their most recent game, they will be eager to break a run of three straight losses on the road as they aim for a postseason spot.
Miami's hopes of winning the Eastern Conference were somewhat dashed last weekend at Yankee Stadium as they were held to a 1-1 draw by New York City FC. Despite having taken the lead thanks to a goal from Leonardo Campana in the 75th minute, James Sands' header in the 95th minute gave Gerardo Martino's team a last-minute equalizer.
Before that match, on September 19, Miami's five-game league winning streak came to an end in another stalemate with Atlanta United. Miami's efforts were negated by goals from Aleksei Miranchuk and Saba Lobjanidze as the Five Stripes battled back from down twice to win 2-2.
Inter Miami is still in command at the top of the Eastern Conference rankings in spite of these modest defeats. They are eight points ahead of FC Cincinnati in second place after thirty games played, and they are expected to win the Supporters' Shield. They are also barely 10 points away from surpassing the New England Revolution's 2021 regular-season points record of 73.
With a convincing 4-0 victory against the 10-man New England Revolution on Saturday, Charlotte FC rekindled their playoff hopes. Following the ejection of Dylan Borrero in the first half, goals from Kerwin Vargas, Patrick Agyemang, Pep Biel, and Liel Abada gave Dean Smith's team a resounding victory.
For a squad that had only managed three points out of a potential 18, going six games without a victory, this triumph was much-needed. Smith will be hoping that Charlotte, who are presently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 41 points from 30 games, can build on their success from last weekend and have a successful regular season.
Charlotte has a six-point advantage over 10th-place Montreal, who are just outside the play-in spots, even though they are tied for seventh place with New York City FC. Their hopes of earning a postseason berth would be enhanced if they defeated Inter Miami.
With a convincing 4-0 victory against the 10-man New England Revolution on Saturday, Charlotte FC rekindled their playoff hopes. Following the ejection of Dylan Borrero in the first half, goals from Kerwin Vargas, Patrick Agyemang, Pep Biel, and Liel Abada gave Dean Smith's team a resounding victory.
For a squad that had only managed three points out of a potential 18, going six games without a victory, this triumph was much-needed. Smith will be hoping that Charlotte, who are presently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 41 points from 30 games, can build on their success from last weekend and have a successful regular season.
Charlotte has a six-point advantage over 10th-place Montreal, who are just outside the play-in spots, even though they are tied for seventh place with New York City FC. Their hopes of earning a postseason berth would be enhanced if they defeated Inter Miami. The Hard Tackle explores the probable starting elevens and strategies for this much awaited match.
This victory was greatly needed for a team that had only managed three points out of a possible eighteen, going six games without a win. Smith will be hoping Charlotte, who have 41 points from 30 games and are now sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, will build on their victory from the previous weekend and have a good regular season.
Despite being tied for seventh position with New York City FC, Charlotte leads 10th-place Montreal by six points, who are barely outside the play-in spots. If they won against Inter Miami, their chances of making it into the postseason would increase. The Hard Tackle examines the likely starting lineups and tactics for this eagerly anticipated game.
