With the Supporters' Shield in sight, Inter Miami have a quick turnaround to play NYCFC on the road as Lionel Messi continues to carry his MLS club to new heights.
In their five seasons of existence, Inter Miami have never finished higher than sixth in the Eastern Conference, but are on track to win the league's regular season title. The Herons are top of the overall combined MLS table by eight points with just five matches left in the campaign.
There will have to be a balance for Tata Martino as he guns for not only a club first but also the MLS points record of 73, of which they are 10 away. The playoffs still must be prioritized, knowing the season will be a disappointment if they fall short of the MLS Cup.
NYCFC are a formidable opponent but currently in a late-season free-fall. They are sixth in the Eastern Conference but have gone eight matches without a single win, drawing five and losing two. They don't seem in threat of dropping out of the playoffs, sitting seven points clear of the cut line, but it could get dicey heading into the postseason if they can't get back to winning ways before it begins.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with updates, commentary, and highlights as Inter Miami face NYCFC
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, Sep. 21, 2024
- Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
- TV channel: None
- Streaming: MLS Season Pass from Apple TV
The MLS match between Atlanta United and Inter Miami will be available exclusively to MLS Season Pass subscribers on Apple TV.
With the home stretch in view, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV is being offered at its lowest price of the season. Fans can sign up for a seasonal subscription to MLS Season Pass for just $9.99 to catch the remainder of the 2024 season, including the MLS Cup playoffs. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers can sign up for a seasonal subscription to MLS Season Pass for free for the remainder of the 2024 season and playoffs.
What time is NYCFC vs. Inter Miami kickoff?
This MLS regular season match kicks off from Yankee Stadium on Saturday, September 21 at 2 p.m. local time in Bronx, New York.
Here's how that time translates across the time zones in North America:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 2 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 1 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 12 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 11 a.m. |
MORE: Find out which games are streaming free on MLS Season pass from Apple TV each week
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami lineups & team news
NYCFC may be in a poor run of form, but injuries are not to blame. They are only missing winger Malachi Jones with a leg fracture and defender Birk Risa with a lower body injury.
Maxi Moralez is 37 years old now and has seen only limited minutes this season but has been given a rare start as head coach Nick Cushing looks to rotate the side.
NYCFC starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Freese (GK) — Gray, Martins, Tanasijevic, O'Toole — Sands, Parks — Wolff, S. Rodriguez, Moralez — A. Martinez.
Inter Miami are inundated with injuries, but they at least get suspended duo Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles back...or at least, they were supposed to, but Busquets did not appear in the matchday squad, with the club stating he misses out due to "personal reasons."
Head coach Tata Martino, who was not on the touchline Wednesday due to yellow-card suspension, is back. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba all came off the bench against Atlanta and have been recalled into the starting lineup today.
The back line is ravaged with fitness concerns, with David Martinez down for a few weeks with a groin injury while Nicolas Freire is out for the season with an ACL tear. Noah Allen is fine, according to the manager, but needs to clear concussion protocol before he can return.
Diego Gomez has sustained a hamstring injury and will miss time, Matias Rojas is absent with an ankle issue, Leo Afonso is dealing with a groin injury, and Facundo Farias is out for the season with an ACL tear.
Inter Miami starting lineup (3-5-2): Callender (GK) — Allen, Fray, Aviles — Taylor, Redondo, Bright, Gressel, Alba — Messi, Suarez.
NYCFC vs. Inter Miami prediction, betting odds & lines
- Score prediction: NYCFC 1-3 Inter Miami
This Inter Miami side is on a roll, and even playing on the road with their stars on the bench won't stop them, especially against struggling sides like NYCFC. If the Herons slip here, it will be a cause for concern with more difficult and high-leverage games still to come.
| BetMGM (USA) | |
| NYCFC win | +150 |
| Draw | +280 |
| Inter Miami win | +140 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -250 N: +170 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | O: +105 U: -145 |
| Inter Miami -0.5 goals | +130 |
| NYCFC +0.5 goals | -190 |
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