Lionel Messi's Inter Miami Aims for Top Spot in MLS with Match Against Nashville SC

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team are set to face Nashville SC on Saturday at 8:30 PM Argentina time at Chase Stadium, with the match being televised on MLS Season Pass by Apple TV. Inter Miami, currently tied for first place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points, are looking to cement their top position with another victory.

Messi, who has fully recovered from a recent hamstring injury, is expected to lead Inter Miami's attack alongside former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. The duo have been in excellent form, with Messi scoring five goals and providing five assists in his five appearances so far this season, while Suarez leads the team with six goals.

Why this matters: Messi's presence has significantly boosted Inter Miami's performance and popularity, drawing large crowds and putting the team in contention for the MLS Cup. The match against Nashville SC is critical for Inter Miami to maintain their momentum and solidify their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

However, Inter Miami may be without the services of left-back Jordi Alba, who suffered a suspected hamstring injury in their recent 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City. Despite this setback, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino has stated that there is no special plan for Messi, and the team will continue to play matches on a weekly basis.

Nashville SC, currently 14th in the Eastern Conference, have struggled this season with injuries to key players like Walker Zimmerman and Shaq Moore. However, they are expected to have reinforcements in attack with the return of Tyler Boyd and Randall Leal.

The two teams have a history of tightly contested matches, with Inter Miami winning 3-1 in their most recent meeting during the CONCACAF Champions Cup. "Messi is in top form, having scored in all four previous meetings between the two teams," noted an MLS analyst.

As Inter Miami aims for back-to-back league wins for the first time this season, the match against Nashville SC promises to be an exciting affair. With Messi and Suarez leading the charge, Inter Miami are favored to secure the three points at home and further solidify their position as top contenders for the 2024 MLS Cup.

Key Takeaways

• Lionel Messi's Inter Miami face Nashville SC on Saturday, with the match televised on MLS Season Pass.
• Inter Miami are tied for first in the Eastern Conference, aiming to cement their position with a win.
• Messi and Suarez have been in excellent form, with Messi scoring 5 goals and 5 assists.
• Inter Miami may be without Jordi Alba due to a suspected hamstring injury.
• Inter Miami are favored to secure the 3 points and solidify their position as MLS Cup contenders.