MLS
Who could Inter Miami play in the next round of the playoffs? MLS Cup schedule
The Herons will need to beat Atlanta United in Game Three next weekend to book their place in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Inter Miami entered the history books in the MLS regular season, breaking the single-season points record as they clinched the Supporters’ Shield for the first time. However it’s in the postseason, the MLS Cup Playoffs, that they can really make their mark.
The Herons begin their playoff journey with a best-of-three Round One series against Atlanta United. Having defeated Atlanta in Game One, Miami were stunned by a late winner from Xande Silva on Saturday to force a crucial final match next weekend.
Nevertheless, Inter Miami will be heavy favourites to progress in the final game back on home turf. From then on, the post-season format consists of single-game elimination clashes. If Miami make it, they will take on the winner of Orlando City and Charlotte FC in the semi-final, with Florida neighbours Orlando the most likely to progress.
Inter Miami could take on reigning MLS Cup holders
The prospect of a post-season Turnpike Derby between Inter Miami and Orlando City would be a real treat, but the bigger challenge will come in the Conference final.
The other Eastern Conference branch includes reigning MLS Cup and Leagues Cup champions Columbus Crew, and 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati. The Crew lost Game One against Red Bull New York but they are still expected to progress across the three-match series.
Both Columbus and Cincinnati, the two Ohio teams, would provide a real match for Inter Miami in a hypothetical Conference final. The two teams have already recorded impressive wins over Miami in 2024, most notably a 6-1 win for Cincy in the regular season.
Ahead of the playoffs, Miami head coach Tata Martino reflected upon the challenge ahead: “To put it simply, the season is long. And in a long season, in any league in the world, no matter how good the league is, the teams are going to have ups and downs, good and bad spells.”