Inter Miami CF return to Chase Stadium for the first time since May this weekend, welcoming high-flying Nashville SC in what promises to be one of the most captivating MLS fixtures of the weekend.
The Herons face a significant challenge as they host the second-placed Eastern Conference side on Saturday evening. Fresh from their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, Inter Miami have maintained stellar form with victories over CF Montréal and the New England Revolution, but now confront one of the league’s most formidable teams.
Javier Mascherano’s side enter the match ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference on five points, though they have four games in hand on the teams above them due to their Club World Cup participation. Nashville sit second on 41 points, just one point behind leaders FC Cincinnati, and arrive at Chase Stadium on a remarkable 15-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Inter Miami’s Club World Cup journey ended in the Round of 16 following a 4-0 defeat to eventual finalists Paris Saint-Germain at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 29 June. João Neves scored twice as the French champions dominated proceedings, with PSG taking a commanding four-goal lead by halftime through additional strikes from Tomás Avilés’ own goal and Achraf Hakimi.
Despite the heavy defeat, the Herons made history as the first MLS team to reach the Club World Cup knockout rounds. “I’m very proud of my players. Today you could see the difference in class, but football has given us the chance to compete,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano reflected after the match.
The South Florida side have responded impressively since returning to domestic action. They came from behind to thrash Montreal 4-1 last weekend before edging past New England by a 2-1 scoreline on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi continuing his remarkable scoring form.
Messi has set a new MLS record by scoring multiple goals in four consecutive matches, netting exactly two goals in each game including a first-half brace in the victory over New England. The Argentine superstar has already bagged 14 goals in 15 MLS appearances this season.
“We’re lucky to have such a special player,” Mascherano stated, acknowledging Messi’s crucial contributions as Inter Miami aim to retain their Eastern Conference title despite their congested schedule.
Nashville SC present formidable opposition, having extended their club-record unbeaten run to 15 matches (W11 D4) following Wednesday’s dramatic 5-2 comeback victory over DC United in the US Open Cup quarter-finals. The Boys in Gold recovered from two goals down to secure a semi-final berth, their first in the competition’s history.
Leading Nashville’s charge is English striker Sam Surridge, who currently tops the MLS Golden Boot race with 16 goals in 21 games. The 26-year-old has been in scorching form, netting 10 goals in his last seven appearances, including a brace against DC United in midweek.
“He’s scoring, but there’s so many other ways that he’s contributing as well, which is what we’re most proud about,” Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan praised. Surridge’s penalty-kick goal against DC United saw him become the first player in club history to score in six consecutive matches.
Alongside Surridge, captain Hany Mukhtar has been instrumental in Nashville’s success, contributing nine goals and eight assists this season. The Egyptian playmaker has registered at least one goal contribution in each of his last seven games, forming a lethal partnership with Surridge.
Inter Miami hold a strong historical record against Nashville, remaining unbeaten across their last seven meetings with the Boys in Gold across all competitions. The Herons have won each of their last three encounters by an aggregate score of 8-3, including a 2-1 away victory in their most recent meeting over a year ago.
However, Nashville have painful memories from previous clashes with Inter Miami. The Herons defeated them on penalties in the Leagues Cup 2023 final just weeks after Surridge’s arrival, then knocked them out of last year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.
The match carries significant implications for both sides’ ambitions this season. Inter Miami face a crucial stretch with three of their next four fixtures against the Eastern Conference’s top two teams, including two matches against leaders Cincinnati.
Nashville, meanwhile, seek a statement victory to consolidate their position near the summit. Having finished 13th in the Eastern Conference last season, their remarkable transformation under Callaghan has positioned them as genuine title contenders.
Saturday’s clash promises entertainment between two of MLS’s most prolific attacking sides. Inter Miami have netted 42 goals this season, the second-most in the league despite playing three fewer games, whilst Nashville rank sixth with 37 goals.
The match kicks off at 6:45 p.m. CT at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with coverage available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV and FS1. Filip Dujić will serve as the match referee.
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