Inter Miami can move one step closer to officially claiming the Supporters’ Shield title when they come to Yankee Stadium on Saturday to face New York City FC.

Despite a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United during the week, the Herons still hold the best record in Major League Soccer (MLS), while the Pigeons were beaten 5-1 by Philadelphia Union and remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Game Preview

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With five games remaining, New York City is in a comfortable position to return to the postseason for the first time since 2022.

They are currently seven points above the Eastern Conference postseason average, but their current domestic form does not suggest they are in contention for the playoffs.

New York City FC is eight games winless in MLS before this weekend, fresh off its heaviest domestic defeat under Nick Cushing on Wednesday.

A win this weekend would be their ninth home league win this year and would surpass their total from last season (eight).

To this point in the Major League Soccer season, the Boys in Blue have conceded 19 goals at home, including 15 at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC has won all four of its home games against Miami, whether in the regular season or the playoffs, without conceding a goal in any of those encounters, posting an overall margin of 3-0 in the two meetings at Yankee Stadium.

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For the first time in over two months, Inter Miami failed to score maximum points, giving up a 2-1 lead in the closing stages of their match against Atlanta.

Their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference has shrunk to eight points, meaning they need seven points from their final five home games to officially secure home-court advantage in the playoffs.

Miami is not only aiming for home advantage, but also its first Supporters’ Shield title. The team currently sits eight points ahead of Los Angeles Galaxy and FC Cincinnati, giving it the best record in the league.

Tata Martino returns to the sidelines this weekend after serving a suspension for multiple yellow cards hoping to record his 20th win of the domestic season, six more than the Herons’ highest total in the competition, which dates back to 2022.

Inter Miami have never dropped points in two consecutive MLS away games throughout the 2024 season, although they have won just one of their last three games as visitors in the competition (4-1 against Chicago Fire).

The Herons have not beaten a New York club away in this competition since their 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in August 2023.

New York City FC Major League Soccer form:

New York City FC form (all competitions):

Inter Miami Major League Soccer Form:

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

Team News

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On Wednesday, Birch Risa missed a match for NYCFC for the second consecutive season after sustaining an injury during the warm-up before the match against DC United, while Malachi Jones had to take another break due to a broken tibia.

Julian Fernandez was not used despite being eligible to play after his suspension and Agustín Ojeda was the only newcomer in the starting eleven and replaced Maxi Moralez.

Alonso Martinez has now scored a dozen goals for the Boys in Blue in the current MLS season, her only one in a lost game against Philly.

During the week, Miami was without Diego Gomez by a blow, Noah Allen had to sit out due to a head injury, Matias Rojas has a sore ankle and CJ dos Santos deals with a problem that concerns him.

Lionel Messi And Luis Suarez came on as a substitute on Wednesday, Nicolas Freire And Facundo Farias recover from cruciate ligament injuries, Michael Sunderland has pain in the thigh and Leo Afonso is recovering from a groin strain.

Sergio Busquets And Thomas Aviles can return for this match after missing the midweek game due to several yellow cards.

David Ruiz gave them the lead on Wednesday with a goal just before the half hour mark, with Leonardo Campana and scored his sixth goal of the MLS season.

Possible starting lineup for New York City FC:
Freese; Ilenic, Martins, Tanasijevic, McFarlane; Sands, Parks; Wolf, Rodriguez, Mijatovic; Martínez

Possible starting eleven for Inter Miami:
Callers; Weigandt, Busquets, Aviles, Alba; Ruiz, Bright, Redondo; Gressel, Suárez, Messi

We think: New York City FC 1-2 Inter Miami

Miami’s experienced leadership knows how to bounce back from a minor setback, while NYCFC’s young players are still trying to get back on track after a disappointment.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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