Inter Miami heads to Nashville in full control, with Messi hungry for more history. After a 3–1 win in the first game, the Herons need just one more victory to secure, for the first time, a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup. On the other side, Nashville faces what could be the final act of its season at GEODIS Park, promising a survival battle against one of the league’s most high-profile and feared squads.
Nashville SC fights to survive at home
Nashville knows the story is simple: win or go home. The team arrives under pressure but confident in its strong record at home. It finished the regular season in sixth place, with 16 wins and 54 points, building its campaign around a solid collective effort and the strength of an attack led by Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar. Surridge scored 24 goals and was one of the top forwards in the league, while Mukhtar, with 12 assists, maintained the consistency expected from a former MVP.
But the challenge is tough. Nashville hasn’t beaten Inter Miami in 10 straight matches and has watched the opponent grow in crucial moments. The most painful memory is still the 2023 Leagues Cup final, when it lost on penalties right there at GEODIS Park. The feeling of revenge is still alive, but urgency speaks louder now. This could be the last home game of the season, and the players know that the energy of their fans might make all the difference. Callaghan needs a brave Nashville, ready to attack and disrupt from the very first minute.
Inter Miami plays for another historic chapter
On the other side, Inter Miami comes in confident and in rhythm. The team won the first game with authority and showed that Messi’s experience remains the key factor in high-pressure moments. The Argentine decided the match and reaffirmed his role as the team’s technical and emotional leader. Alongside him, Allende is also in good form, giving the attack more depth.
Under Mascherano’s leadership, the Herons hold a psychological edge, too. They’re unbeaten in ten straight games against Nashville, with eight wins and two draws. That consistency shows how Miami has learned to handle different situations and grown into a more mature, competitive team. The club has been to the playoffs in 2020, 2022, and 2024, but has never been this close to a historic breakthrough. Now, it finally looks ready.