MLS
Breaking down Inter Miami’s MLS playoff push
The Herons have nine games remaining in the 2023 MLS regular season but are still 8 points off a postseason place.
Seven points from a possible nine in recent MLS games and an overall record of 11 games unbeaten since Lionel Messi arrived at Inter Miami is a major source of optimism for Herons fans who dream of a place in MLS postseason.
With a major 1-3 win on Sunday night at BMO Stadium, home to reigning champions LAFC, just how realistic is Inter Miami’s dreams of making the playoffs?
There are still nine 2023 MLS season games remaining for Tata Martino’s side with the objective for the side from Florida to secure a place in the top 9. As of this season, both eighth and ninth placed teams will participate in a wild card round with the winners going to join the other top seven placed teams in the playoffs.
Despite recent positive results, Inter Miami still languish towards the foot of the Eastern Conference in the penultimate position with just 25 points and still have the highest number of defeats all season on 14 (joint with Montreal). The other bad news for Herons fans is that the team will have to make do without Messi, and other key players during the international breaks in September and October.
Remaining 2023 MLS games for Inter Miami:
9 Sept: (H) to Sporting KC
Sporting KC are also desperate for points as they too look to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference. This will be Inter Miami’s first game without Messi and other key players due to international duty.
Our prediction: Draw
16 Sept: (A) to Atlanta United
Messi should be back to play some role in this game after Argentina’s trip to La Paz four days earlier. The ‘Five Stripes’ are solid at home and will have enough to keep the Herons at bay.
Our prediction: Draw
20 Sept: (H) to Toronto FC
Propping up the Eastern Conference table, the Canadian side are really struggling despite the acquisition of big names such as Insigne and Bernardeschi and already planning the 2024 season under new coach John Herdman.
Our prediction: Inter Miami win
24 Sept: (A) to Orlando City
Tata Martino’s side had no problem in brushing aside their Florida rivals in the recent Leagues Cup clash and should be able to manage a draw in Orlando.
Our prediction: Draw
30 Sept: (H) to NYCFC
The games come thick and fast for Inter Miami who come into this clash on the back of a US Open Cup final against Houston. Irrespective of that result, Miami will be too strong for a poor New York side.
Our prediction: Inter Miami win
4 October: (A) to Chicago Fire
This game could have massive ramification for the postseason status for both teams as Chicago too are pressing to bag at least a ninth place finish.
Our prediction: Inter Miami win
7 October: (H) to Cincinnati
The Eastern Conference leaders will have sewn up their place in the playoffs and may be playing on half gas.
Our prediction: Draw
18 October: (A) to Charlotte FC
Inter Miami close the regular season with two games against Charlotte. For the away trip, the Herons will be without Messi and anticipate a loss at the Bank of America Stadium.
Our prediction: Inter Miami defeat
22 October: (H) to Charlotte FC
The final game of the season could be a do-or-die battle against the side from Carolina but with Inter Miami desperate for points and a packed DRV PNK Stadium supporting the side in pink, Tata Martino’s will secure the badly needed win.
Our prediction: Inter Miami win
Herons to fall short?
Should these predictions come to fruition, A) we’re in the wrong job! and B) we feel that 41 points in total would be insufficient for Inter Miami to advance and the Florida side will ultimately pay the price for a disastrous start to the 2023 campaign.