Charlotte must relish the challenge ahead of Miami clash

Charlotte FC must embrace the challenge of facing the best team in MLS when they take on Inter Miami on Saturday.

That is the view of full-back Nathan Byrne, who this week penned a new contract with Dean Smith’s team.

Charlotte head south this weekend to play Miami, who are in the hunt for the regular-season points record in MLS.

A win for Charlotte could see them clinch a playoff spot,

“If we want to win things this season, then you have to play against the best teams and the best players,” he said.

“It’s just another challenge and we are going to go into it with full confidence.”

Reflecting on his new deal, Byrne said: “Charlotte is a place I have really enjoyed my football over the last two years, and there is no place I’d rather continue my career. We have a great group of guys that want to accomplish something special, and that begins now with this run-in to the playoffs.”

Smith, meanwhile, wants to see a level of consistency from his side, after they snapped a six-game windless run in MLS by thrashing the New England Revolution 4-0 last time out.

“You’re after consistency from your players,” he added.

“I’d much rather have a seven out of 10 every week than a five one week and a nine the next. You want consistency because you can build on that and improve.”

Miami are unbeaten in 13 league games, though they need to take 10 points from their last four matches to break the league’s regular-season points record of 73, which was set by New England in 2021.

The Herons drew 1-1 against New York City FC last time out, with coach Gerardo Martino left to fume at the officiating.

“The team didn’t lack anything, but the match lacked a good referee,” said Martino after that game. “We had a good game, we should’ve won.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has scored at least one goal in eight of his last nine home matches for Inter Miami in all competitions, scoring 10 total goals in those games, including finding the net in each of his last three at Chase Stadium.

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang

Agyemang came off the bench to record a goal and two assists in Charlotte’s win over New England on Saturday.

He is the third player in MLS this season, and first ever for Charlotte, to record three goal contributions in a match as a substitute.

Another day in the office pic.twitter.com/5y41ooDSd7

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 25, 2024

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

For all his quality, Miami have won only one of the last five matches Messi has played dating back to late May (D3 L1). In the 13 matches Messi has missed in all competitions in that time, Miami have posted a record of W10 D0 L3.

However, Miami are unbeaten in three all-time home matches against Charlotte (W2 D1).

In fact, the only road win in the six all-time meetings between the sides was Miami’s 2-1 victory at Charlotte on July 3 this year.

Charlotte ended an eight-match winless run in all competitions (D4 L4) with a 4-0 win over New England on Saturday. The four-goal win equalled Charlotte’s largest-ever margin of victory along with a 5-1 win over the Richmond Kickers in the US Open Cup and a 4-0 league win over the Philadelphia Union, which both came in 2022.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 59.9%

Charlotte – 19.1%

Draw – 21%