Inter Miami are in a “good” place to etch their names into MLS historical past after they host the New England Revolution on Saturday, with a single-season factors file inside attain.
That’s the view of defender Ian Fray, after Gerardo Martino’s males wrapped up the Supporters’ Defend – and residential benefit for the playoffs – early.
Miami have 71 factors with one sport of the common season remaining, and a victory would see them surpass the Revs’ all-time excessive of 73 factors from the 2021 marketing campaign.
Fray feels taking part in at Chase Stadium may also help Miami recover from the road, saying: “Having home-field benefit is superb, particularly with our followers. It’s the proper scenario for us.”
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez had been each substitutes for Miami’s final sport – a late 1-0 win at Toronto FC – as Martino opted to relaxation the ahead duo.
“It was logical that after two full video games, as most of them had performed, we might make a rotation,” he stated.
“We had been in a position to meet the 2 aims, for the gamers to have some relaxation and to win the sport, which is what we wished. We wished to have the ability to obtain the factors file.”
SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/Dcfk2RYFSO
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 3, 2024
Opponents New England are taking part in merely to defend their 2021 honour, sitting some 9 factors adrift of the playoff image, 14th within the Jap Convention standings.
Head coach Caleb Porter, although, has already turned his consideration in the direction of what comes subsequent after they missed the postseason for simply the second time in six years.
“It’s actually essential, once we’re making corrections subsequent yr and within the offseason, that we don’t throw the newborn out with the bathwater,” he stated.
“That’s the tendency within the offseason if you finish a season like this. You need to take a deep dive into what went mistaken.
“I’ve to have a look at myself, I’ve to teach higher, I’ve to determine what I can do higher. It begins with me.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Lionel Messi
The favorite to be named this yr’s MLS MVP, Messi enters the ultimate match of the common season averaging 1.98 aim contributions per 90 minutes.
Just one participant in MLS historical past has averaged greater than 1.40 aim contributions per 90 over a full season earlier than: Carlos Vela (1.62) in 2019 (minimal 1000 minutes performed).
New England Revolution – Aljaz Ivacic
New England’s 4-0 loss on the Columbus Crew final Saturday was the eighth time this season that the Revs have misplaced a match by a minimum of three targets. That equals essentially the most three-goal defeats by a crew in a single season in MLS historical past, carried out 4 instances earlier than.
If they’re to keep away from making undesirable historical past in opposition to a rampant Miami crew, they may want Ivacic to be on high kind, although his save proportion of 66% is just the Twentieth-best determine among the many 33 goalkeepers to play 10 MLS matches this yr.
MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN
Not one of the seven all-time conferences between Miami and New England have resulted in attracts.
The perimeters cut up the season collection in every of the earlier three years, with each side profitable as soon as in every marketing campaign, whereas Miami received in New England, 4-1, on April 27 this yr.
Miami, on 71 factors getting into the ultimate day of the season, can break New England’s single-season MLS factors file of 73 with a win. A victory would even be Miami’s twenty second this season, equalling essentially the most in a single season in league historical past.
New England have misplaced 5 right away matches, together with a 4-0 loss to the Crew on Saturday.
The Revs have been outscored 15-1 in these video games, so the possibilities of them denying Miami a slice of historical past seem slim.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 67.1%
New England Revolution – 14.9%
Draw – 18.1%