Inter Miami vs NY City

Click on any stream link below to watch the game

 Click on any link in the table above to watch the game.

-------------------------------------------------

Inter Miami has the chance to equal a club record for their longest unbeaten streak at home in MLS when they face off against New York City FC this Saturday at DRV PNK Stadium.

In their recent domestic clash, the Herons had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Orlando City. This outcome has placed them five points adrift of the Pigeons, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Conversely, New York City FC moved above the postseason threshold following a convincing 3-0 triumph over Toronto.

After experiencing a 2-1 loss against the Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final, Miami can now direct their focus squarely on the MLS playoff race.

A significant turning point for Miami was their acquisition of three experienced footballers with a track record of championship success. This transformation saw them rise from the league's lowest-performing team to clinching the Leagues Cup title. However, making it to the MLS Cup playoffs remains a formidable challenge. Miami currently occupies the second-to-last spot in the Eastern Conference, with five teams positioned above them in the postseason race. With only five matches left to play, the task is daunting.

Notably, Miami has remained undefeated in MLS home games since Tata Martino assumed control. They have secured victories in their last two domestic fixtures played at DRV PNK Stadium and have conceded goals in just one of their previous three league matches in Fort Lauderdale.

The situation for Inter Miami appears intricate given their current points deficit below the postseason cutoff and the number of teams standing in their way. However, the solution is rather straightforward: they must win their upcoming matches to secure a playoff spot.

If they fail to make the postseason, regrets will undoubtedly linger regarding missed opportunities over the past few months of the regular season. Miami has let slip six points when leading in the second half since July started. Furthermore, they have suffered nine MLS defeats by a narrow margin this season, with their opponents netting three winning goals in the final 20 minutes of play.

After gaining a point on the road with a 1-1 draw against rivals Orlando City SC in its most recent MLS match, Inter Miami returns to DRV PNK Stadium in an effort to maintain the team's recent successful record in MLS regular season home games. In its last five regular-season home games, Inter Miami has gone undefeated.

After losing 1-2 to Houston Dynamo in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday, Inter Miami will try to recover soon. Notably, this was the first time that a final had ever been held at the Club's DRV PNK Stadium.

Last time around, the Herons tried for the win without superstars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, but things didn't work out as expected. Miami will be hoping to forget about their missed opportunity to win their second trophy in team history when they return to action three days later at DRV PNK Stadium.

With five games remaining in the regular season, Miami still has a chance to qualify for the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs while still being outsiders. Miami has 32 points and is now in 14th position in the Eastern Conference; although having gained some ground in the postseason race, they may still need to win out to advance.

With only three games remaining in their season and 37 points amassed, NYCFC are on a five-game winning streak and hold a tenuous hold on the final Eastern Conference playoff slot, ninth place. If their next games don't go as planned, there's still a chance that Miami, who has two games in hand on them, might overtake them in the standings, particularly if the Herons defeat the Boys in Blue.

There would have been no opportunity at all for the 36-year-old to participate in any way had the match against Houston Dynamo not been a championship game, according to Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.

In a season that appeared to be all but lost just a few weeks ago, there has been a sudden resurgence in New York City's soccer scene. The team, known as the Boys in Blue, has managed to secure consecutive victories, a feat that has propelled them above the Eastern Conference playoff cutoff line.

What's truly remarkable is their recent defensive prowess, as New York City has recorded three consecutive clean sheets in Major League Soccer (MLS). Even more impressive is the fact that they've allowed just one goal over their last five home games.

All these positive developments have put Nick Cushing's squad in the driver's seat regarding their playoff fate. They currently sit one point ahead of DC United for the coveted final playoff position. However, there's a challenging road ahead for New York City, with two of their remaining three matches scheduled to be played away from the friendly confines of their home stadium. Unfortunately, the Pigeons have struggled on the road in the 2023 season.

Their away record paints a less rosy picture, with only one victory to their name during the regular season (a narrow 1-0 win against CF Montreal). What's even more frustrating is the trend of relinquishing three second-half leads on their travels, resulting in the loss of six valuable points. Incredibly, they've conceded a pair of equalizing goals in stoppage time during these matches.

Goal-scoring has been a particular challenge for them on the road, as they've failed to find the back of the net in six away contests this season. Their offensive output away from home has been modest at best, with just two instances of scoring multiple goals in the 2023 campaign.

It's worth noting that New York City has dominated their previous encounters with the Herons in all competitions, emerging victorious in seven of the eight meetings. Their only setback in recent memory came in this very fixture last year, where they suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat.

In sum, New York City's resurgence has injected fresh hope into their season, but the challenges that lie ahead, particularly on the road, will test their mettle as they strive to secure a coveted playoff spot.

However, as Messi was effectively a game-time decision, there may be a potential for him to play against NYFC, albeit most likely as a replacement off the bench.
There is a remote potential that Alba, an experienced full-back, will join the squad on the bench against NYC when he returns to play in around a week.
Three members of the Boys in Blue are expected to be back in action by the middle of October. While Alfredo Morales is suffering with a groin injury, Cody Mizell, Keaton Parks, and all of them are healing from leg problems.