Inter Miami looks to stay hot vs. Charlotte FC
Inter Miami will put its unbeaten streak across all competitions on the line when it hosts Charlotte FC on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Although it's still very early in the MLS season, the contest could prove important for both sides, which enter the match tied in the standings.
Inter Miami (1-0-1, 4 points) has been busy, securing a 4-1 victory at Houston last Sunday in its most recent MLS regular-season game and coming back with an impressive 2-0 win at home over Jamaican club Cavalier in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup on Thursday.
Charlotte (1-0-1, 4 points) is also coming in with momentum following a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United on March 1.
Inter Miami's Luis Suarez has been red hot to open the season, scoring one of the two goals in the victory over Cavalier and recording a goal and three assists at Houston.
Recently signed winger Wilfried Zaha and midfielder Pep Biel each scored goals in Charlotte's win over Atlanta United, which has been regarded as one of the top contenders for the MLS Cup entering the season.
The big question from match to match of late for Inter Miami is whether superstar Lionel Messi will play. Messi was thought likely to suit up against Houston last Sunday before not traveling with the team. He also sat out against Cavalier.
"The medical team has told me he has no injury. He has (muscle) fatigue from having played three games in six days, the change of climates, and a lot of situations," Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after Thursday's win.
While not the immense level of Messi, Zaha is attracting quite the following since making his MLS debut. Many among the over 51,000 fans who watched Charlotte's win over Atlanta donned his No. 10 jersey as the 32-year-old Ivory Coast native finished with a goal and an assist.
"It was just joy, and being able to repay the hype," Zaha said. "The lads believe in me. ... And hopefully after this goal, everyone else will. I'm just happy to get the win."
--Field Level Media
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MLS Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Union | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 9 |
| Columbus Crew | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 7 |
| FC Cincinnati | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| D.C. United | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +1 | 5 |
| Inter Miami CF | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 4 |
| Charlotte FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| New York Red Bulls | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| New York City FC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Nashville SC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Atlanta United FC | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| Orlando City SC | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| New England Revolution | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| Toronto FC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -4 | 1 |
| CF Montréal | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 0 |
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