The Eastern Conference's top two teams renew their growing rivalry when Inter Miami CF welcome Supporters' Shield leaders Nashville SC for Matchday 26's Walmart Saturday Showdown.
How to watch & stream
When
- Saturday, Sept. 12 | 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT
Where
- Nu Stadium | Miami, Florida
Standings
- 2nd in Eastern Conference
- 44 points (12W-4L-8D)
Last game
Inter Miami played to their second straight draw on Wednesday night, taking a 1-1 tie at Chicago Fire FC in front of a record crowd of 63,094 fans at Soldier Field.
Marquee summer signing Casemiro cancelled out Robert Lewandowski's opener with his third goal in as many games, helping extend the Herons' unbeaten streak to three straight matches.
Players to watch
- Lionel Messi: With a league-best 31 goal contributions (18g/13a), Messi is eyeing a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.
- Luis Suárez: The legendary Uruguayan striker (12g/8a) has produced double-digit goals in each of his three seasons with the Herons.
- Casemiro: The superstar Brazilian midfielder has scored in three straight games, all while being deployed as a center back.
- Rodrigo De Paul: A 2022 FIFA World Cup winner with Argentina, De Paul is equal parts midfield enforcer and link-up man.
Need to know
With the league's best player (Messi) leading the league's best offense (59 goals), Miami look poised to make a run at winning the first back-to-back MLS Cups since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12.
However, with a nine-point gap behind Nashville in the standings, the Supporters' Shield could be out of reach.
Motivation will still be sky-high for the Herons, who will want to avenge last month's 4-1 loss (and elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this year) while putting a dent in Nashville's hopes of breaking Miami's single-season points record (74 points).
Standings
- 1st in Eastern Conference
- 53 points (16W-3L-5D)
Last game
Nashville entered Wednesday's visit to Toronto FC riding a six-game unbeaten streak, only to suffer a 2-1 loss at BMO Field.
The Coyotes forced an early own goal from Niklas Dorsch, but the hosts turned it around on late goals from Dániel Sallói and Emilio Aristizábal – the latter scoring in the 93rd minute.
Players to watch
- Hany Mukhtar: The 2022 MLS MVP has 10g/7a and is nearing double-digit goals and assists for the fifth season.
- Sam Surridge: Nashville's top scorer (13g/1a) is in the thick of the Golden Boot presented by Audi race.Â
- Cristian Espinoza: The Argentine playmaker and foundational winter signing is tied for the second-most assists in MLS (11) during his debut season with the Coyotes.
- Brian Schwake: Schwake is enjoying a breakout year as Nashville's No. 1 goalkeeper, earning an All-Star nod and generating plenty of USMNT buzz.
Need to know
Nashville remain on a record-breaking points pace despite their recent defeat at Toronto.Â
Additionally, the Coyotes could soon become the first team to clinch a spot in the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.Â
The stage is set for Nashville to deliver the latest statement performance of an already-historic season and complete a season sweep of their rival.
Inter Miami are big favorites at home with 51% of the market, compared to 28% for Nashville.
Market insights shared are current as of Thursday, Sept. 10 at 3 pm ET.
