Inter Miami are set for another pivotal night at Chase Stadium as they welcome DC United for their second consecutive home game in Major League Soccer. The Herons, currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with 49 points from 27 matches, are eager to ride the momentum from their electrifying 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders earlier in the week. With the regular season winding down, Miami’s push for the Supporters’ Shield is entering a do-or-die phase, and fans are buzzing about whether this is finally the moment the team strings together the consistent run everyone’s been waiting for.
It’s not just the stakes in the standings that have fans talking—it’s the return to form of none other than Lionel Messi. After drawing blanks in the previous game against Charlotte and the Leagues Cup final versus Seattle, Messi found the net again in the midweek MLS rematch with the Sounders. He was in dazzling form, racking up an individual expected goals (xG) of 1.75 and completing six dribbles, nearly matching his season’s best. According to James Nalton of FotMob, “Messi seemed to be revelling in the all-round centre-forward role he was given in the absence of the suspended Luis Suárez.”
That absence of Suárez, serving the last match of his MLS suspension, has forced head coach Javier Mascherano to get creative. Against Seattle, Mascherano made a tactical switch, moving to a back three of Gonzalo Luján, Maximiliano Falcon, and Noah Allen. This allowed Jordi Alba to bomb forward as an attacking wing-back, and the results spoke for themselves. Alba was everywhere—scoring one goal and providing an assist—while Ian Fray, operating on the opposite flank, capped the night with a goal from a corner. Mascherano’s bold adjustment paid off handsomely, and there’s plenty of speculation he’ll stick with the winning formula against DC United.
“Jordi Alba’s heavy involvement in most of the good things Miami did, getting a goal and an assist, made a huge difference,” wrote Nalton, highlighting the Spaniard’s influence. Fray, too, was a constant threat, and his goal was the exclamation point on a dominant team performance. In midfield, the experience of Sergio Busquets and the energy of Yannick Bright helped keep Miami ticking, with Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende providing the creative spark behind Messi.
Inter Miami’s squad is getting a boost with the return of Telasco Segovia and Baltasar Rodríguez, both back in contention. However, the injury list still includes David Ruiz and Fabrice Picault, who remain sidelined. The team will also be without Suárez for this match, but the Uruguayan striker is set to return after serving his final game of suspension.
On the other side of the pitch, DC United arrive in South Florida with little left to play for but pride. The Black-and-Red are languishing in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, with just 25 points after 30 matches—a record of five wins, ten draws, and fifteen defeats. Yet, under new head coach René Weiler, the team has shown signs of life. Weiler, who took charge just before the last meeting between these clubs in August, has guided DC United to an unbeaten run of four matches, including a hard-fought victory against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.
Despite their improved form, DC United’s playoff hopes are mathematically over. The team’s struggles are perhaps best encapsulated by the drought of last season’s Golden Boot winner, Christian Benteke, who hasn’t found the back of the net since July. Still, DC United have proven a tough nut to crack lately, grinding out three draws and a win under Weiler’s stewardship. The team’s resilience was on display in their last match against Orlando City, where they managed to hold on despite going down to ten men after Lukas MacNaughton’s red card. Both MacNaughton and Matti Peltola will miss the Miami clash due to suspension.
DC United’s expected lineup features Luis Barraza in goal, with a defensive line of David Schnegg, Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, and Conner Antley. The midfield trio of Rida Zouhir, Brandon Servania, and Jackson Hopkins will look to disrupt Miami’s rhythm, while the attacking responsibilities fall to Peglow, Gabriel Pirani, and Benteke. With MacNaughton and Peltola out, the backline will be stretched, and Weiler may need to shuffle his tactics to compensate.
Historically, these two sides have been closely matched. In their ten previous encounters, DC United have won four, Inter Miami three, and the remaining three ended in draws. Their most recent meeting, on August 23 at Audi Field, finished 1-1—a result that left Miami frustrated against a team near the bottom of the table. Earlier this year, Miami bested DC United 3-1 on the road, but the rivalry has seen its share of twists and turns since their first clash in 2020.
For Miami, the path to victory seems clear: keep the intensity high, unleash Messi in his new central role, and maintain the dynamic wing play that tore Seattle apart. With the home crowd behind them and the playoff race heating up, there’s a sense that this could be the turning point in their campaign. Yet, with DC United’s newfound grit under Weiler and nothing to lose, this match has all the ingredients for a dramatic showdown.
“Now is likely the last chance to put one together and make a push for the Supporters’ Shield,” observed Nalton, capturing the urgency in the Miami camp. The Herons know that every point counts, and dropping any at this stage could be costly. For DC United, the motivation is different—spoiling the party for Miami and building momentum for next season under their new coach.
As the teams prepare to take the field, all eyes will be on Messi to see if he can continue his scoring streak and inspire Miami to another crucial win. Fans will also be watching to see how DC United respond to adversity, especially with key players missing. With both teams eager to prove something, expect plenty of fireworks at Chase Stadium.
With kickoff imminent, the action is set to unfold in front of a packed house. Inter Miami’s supporters are hoping for another Messi masterclass, while DC United’s faithful are looking for signs of progress under Weiler. One thing’s for sure: with so much on the line, this is a match no MLS fan will want to miss.
As the whistle draws near, anticipation builds. Will Inter Miami seize their moment and keep their playoff dreams alive, or will DC United play spoiler and extend their unbeaten run? The answer is just ninety minutes away, and the drama is only just beginning at Chase Stadium.
