Inter Miami v Charlotte: Preview, expected line-ups and where to watch as Messi looks to clinch Golden Boot

Inter Miami conclude their regular-season programme with a game against Charlotte FC on Saturday

Inter Miami v Charlotte: Preview, expected line-ups and where to watch as Messi looks to clinch Golden Boot
Major League Soccer, Round 34
Inter Miami
7/11/2026 21:00
Charlotte
venue
Nu Stadium
referee
Rubiel Vazquez

Where to Watch Inter Miami v Charlotte: TV and online streams

Inter Miami v Charlotte FC kicks off at 4pm ET on Saturday, November 7, which is 9pm GMT for viewers in the UK, at Nu Stadium in Miami.

The match is live worldwide on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, including in the UK and the US.

Preview for Inter Miami v Charlotte

The MLS regular season comes to a close on Saturday with Inter Miami hosting Charlotte FC and it could be another milestone night for Lionel Messi with the 39-year-old set to retain his Golden Boot award.

Messi has scored 26 goals in 30 appearances and goes into ‘Decision Day’ four ahead of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa. Even if Musa makes up the difference on Saturday, Messi holds the tiebreaker having also contributed 16 assists in another wonderful season.

Messi’s last goal was a crucial one, his winner at the New England Revolution last weekend means Miami go into this game knowing a win will see them claim the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

Miami’s attack remains the most dangerous in the league. Luis Suárez has scored 16 MLS goals this season and Germán Berterame 10, while Rodrigo De Paul’s assist total is just three short of Messi’s.

Home form has been a real strength. Miami are on a seven-game unbeaten run at Nu Stadium, scoring 21 goals in that time.

Charlotte arrive in excellent form, though. Dean Smith’s side have won back-to-back home games 4-0, hammering CF Montréal and then Orlando City, and they sit fifth in the East with 53 points. They have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight MLS away games.

Their record in Miami isn’t great, though. Charlotte have never won an away game against the Herons, and Miami have won four of the 10 meetings between the clubs, with Charlotte winning three and three ending in draws.

The Major League Soccer Table

Major League Soccer 2026

USA

Eastern Conference

# Team Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA GD Pts Last 5
1 Nashville SC 33 22 8 3 69 25 44 74
W D W D W
2 Inter Miami 33 16 11 6 77 56 21 59
W D L W W
3 New England Revolution 33 18 4 11 55 46 9 58
L W W W W
4 Chicago Fire 33 16 7 10 61 50 11 55
W D W L L
5 Charlotte 33 15 8 10 63 48 15 53
W W L D L
6 Philadelphia Union 33 13 8 12 62 51 11 47
L D L D W
7 FC Cincinnati 33 12 10 11 67 73 -6 46
W D W W L
8 Columbus Crew 33 13 5 15 55 49 6 44
W W W W W
9 Orlando City SC 33 12 7 14 62 78 -16 43
L D D W D
10 New York Red Bulls 33 11 6 16 45 62 -17 39
L L W L L
11 New York City FC 33 9 12 12 48 45 3 39
D W D D L
12 Toronto FC 33 9 12 12 51 63 -12 39
L W L W D
13 Atlanta United FC 33 9 6 18 43 57 -14 33
W L L L W
14 DC United 33 7 12 14 39 60 -21 33
L L L L L
15 CF Montreal 33 6 8 19 37 67 -30 26
D L L D L
  • Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 : Promotion – MLS (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)
  • Position 8, 9 : Promotion – MLS (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)

Team News for Inter Miami v Charlotte

Tadeo Allende, Fricio Caicedo (knee) and Mateo Silvetti are all unavailable for Miami, but Kily González otherwise has a relatively healthy squad. Suárez, David Ayala and Sergio Reguilón could all be recalled.

Charlotte will be without Allan Saint-Maximin, who was sent off in the 4-0 win over Orlando City. That’s a big blow, as he had four goal involvements in his previous seven MLS appearances. Nimfasha Berchimas and Aron John are also unavailable.

Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati will be Charlotte’s main attacking threats, and Rodolfo Aloko could get a start after scoring off the bench last week.

Expected line-ups for Inter Miami v Charlotte

Inter Miami: St Clair; Luján, Casemiro, Micael, Reguilón; De Paul, Ayala, Galarza; Messi, Suárez, Berterame

Charlotte FC: Kahlina; Byrne, Agyemang, Kessler, Toffolo; Westwood, Diani; Akoko, Biel, Abada; Toklomati

Recent Form for Inter Miami v Charlotte

Recent Results : Inter Miami

  • Major League Soccer
    New England Revolution ENG
    W 1 – 2 2026-11-02
    Inter Miami
  • Major League Soccer
    Inter Miami
    D 2 – 2 2026-10-28
    FC Cincinnati
  • Major League Soccer
    New York Red Bulls YOR
    L 2 – 0 2026-10-24
    Inter Miami
  • Major League Soccer
    Atlanta United FC
    W 1 – 3 2026-10-18
    Inter Miami
  • Major League Soccer
    Inter Miami
    W 2 – 0 2026-10-15
    New York City FC

Recent Results : Charlotte

  • Major League Soccer
    Charlotte
    W 4 – 0 2026-10-31
    Orlando City SC
  • Major League Soccer
    Charlotte
    W 4 – 0 2026-10-28
    CF Montreal MON
  • Major League Soccer
    Portland Timbers POR
    L 3 – 2 2026-10-25
    Charlotte
  • Major League Soccer
    Philadelphia Union PHI
    D 2 – 2 2026-10-17
    Charlotte
  • Major League Soccer
    Columbus Crew COL
    L 3 – 1 2026-10-15
    Charlotte

Prediction for Inter Miami v Charlotte

Messi will have the Golden Boot on his mind and his team-mates will be keen to ensure he claims the award. Charlotte will hope to clinch fourth spot but, apart from that, have little to play for with their place in the play-offs also assured.

That means there should be goals in an entertaining encounter.

Match Prediction

Inter Miami
4 – 2
Charlotte