In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald to learn more about Inter Miami, New York City FC's opponent in the Bronx on Saturday. Here is your NYCFC vs Inter Miami preview.
• League Form (All Comps): D-W-W-W-L
• Record: 19W, 6D, 4L | 63 points, 1st place
• Scoring Leader: Luis Suárez, 17 goals
• Assist Leader: Lionel Messi, 10 assists
1. Miami on pace to break records
Hudson River Blue: After losing to Columbus in the Round of 16 of Leagues Cup, Miami won three straight games to resume MLS play but is coming off a 2-2 road draw with Atlanta. Miami still has a sizeable lead in the Supporters Shield race but has some tough games to finish the regular season. Are this Miami team capable of winning the Supporters' Shield and going all the way in the playoffs?
Michelle Kaufman: Yes, absolutely Inter Miami can win the Supporters' Shield. In fact, they are on pace to tie or even break the all-time points record (73, set by New England Revolutions in 2021). Miami has 63 points with five games remaining. Their magic number is nine. If they get nine pts over five games, they are guaranteed the Supporters' Shield regardless of what happens with Galaxy, Crew, and Cincy. That is definitely attainable with this team.
Hudson River Blue Staff
2. Only injuries can stop them
HRB: Lionel Messi is back after suffering an injury in the Copa América final and has picked up right where he left off. Miami found ways to win without Messi during the summer stretch, but now that Messi is healthy, what could, if anything, stop Miami at the moment?
MF: This Miami team, unlike last year’s, has proven over long stretches that it can win without Messi. The only thing that could get in the way are multiple injuries, which have been piling up the past few weeks, and yellow cards, which they get a lot of. Tomas Aviles leads the league in yellows and the team is among the top three for cautions as well.
3. Will Messi play on Saturday?
HRB: One of the biggest talking points is whether Messi will play on Saturday. Yankee Stadium’s pitch is tighter, but the Kentucky bluegrass is perfect for soccer. Will he play? And if so, how will he perform on the different type of pitch?
MF: My guess is that Messi will play at NYCFC. When he travels, he plays. He traveled to Atlanta, rested the first 60 min at Atlanta, and is expected to play against NYCFC. He is HIGHLY competitive, was desperate to play after the long injury layoff, and the team is hungry for the Supporters' Shield. Like most players, they prefer the grass of Yankee Stadium to artificial turf.
4. The X-Factor: Miami's barren backline
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
MF: X factor: Miami’s decimated back line, particularly center backs. Martinez is out injured, and Kryvtsov left the Atlanta game injured. Backup Noah Allen has been on concussion protocol this week, not sure of his status.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
MF: Miami wins 3-1.
