Inter Miami, whether or not Lionel Messi is available, is facing an absolutely crucial game against New York City FC in pursuit of an MLS playoff spot.
Messi’s status is the big mystery, with the Argentine superstar taking the pitch Friday to “test it out” at training for the Herons. The 36-year-old has missed four of Miami’s last five matches, and his lone appearance in that stretch saw him substituted off after 37 minutes with a recurrence of what the club has maintained is a problem with old scar tissue.
In his absence, Miami’s previously red-hot form has cooled significantly. The Herons had previously gone unbeaten in Messi’s first 11 appearances since a blockbuster summer move to MLS, and the club has not lost a match in which the iconic attacker has appeared.
However, in the four games Messi played no part in since this injury cropped up, Miami has won just once, most recently losing the U.S. Open Cup final at home to the Houston Dynamo.
NYCFC, meanwhile, is the rare MLS playoff bubble team rounding into form. Nick Cushing’s side seemed to be losing touch with the pack, but has gone five games without a loss and conceding just one goal in the process.
That form is terrible news for Miami, who sit five points behind the Bronx-based club for the final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Miami take on NYCFC.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. NYCFC
When: Saturday, September 30
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: DRV PNK Stadium
Channel/streaming: Apple TV
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