Supporters´ Shield win would be ´nice´, but Inter Miami star Alba wants MLS Cup

Jordi Alba says claiming the Supporters’ Shield would be “a nice achievement” for Inter Miami, but his main goal is the MLS Cup.

A run of three straight draws has seen Miami’s bid to wrap up the Supporters’ Shield put on ice over recent weeks.

Miami face the Columbus Crew – the reigning MLS Cup champions – on Wednesday, knowing one more win would see them clinch the Shield.

It would also keep them on track to break the regular-season points record of 73, which was set by the New England Revolution in 2021. Miami must win all three of their remaining games before the playoffs in order to break that record.

But former Barcelona full-back Alba has one main goal in mind.

“We hope to win against a great team like Columbus, and we will go in with a winning mentality,” Alba said.

“Winning the Supporters’ Shield would be a nice achievement in the club’s history, but in the end, what we want to win is the MLS Cup.”

While his team have had a series of blips as of late, coach Gerardo Martino says Miami’s accomplishments this season must not be underestimated, even if they have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Alba among their ranks.

He said: “When a team like Inter has 65 points and has lost only four matches all season and you compare it with teams from previous seasons, we should recognise all the good things we have accomplished this season.”

Midfielder Matias Rojas knows history beckons on Wednesday.

“It’s a great opportunity for us,” he said.

“We’re taking it step by step. This team has built itself one step at a time. So, on Wednesday, we will go to win and achieve that goal.”

Travel day #CLBvMIA pic.twitter.com/tLHvoMLPnf

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 1, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez recorded a goal and an assist on Saturday to take his total to 28 goal contributions on the season (16 goals 12 assists).

Only Stern John (31 in 1998) and Kei Kamara (30 in 2015) have recorded more goal contributions for the Crew in a single regular season.

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi, who netted against Charlotte FC last time out, has not recorded a direct goal contribution in any of his last three away appearances for Miami, last directly contributing to a goal for the Herons away from Chase Stadium on April 27.

The Argentine great had contributed to at least one goal in 19 of his previous 21 road league matches dating back to 2022 and his time with Paris Saint-Germain (34 total).

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS WIN

This is certainly set to be a tough test for Miami, and Opta’s predictive model actually backs the reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus.

The Crew have lost only two of their last 40 home matches in all competitions dating back to May 2023 (W27 D11). They have scored three or more goals in 16 of those 40 matches, including in their last home match, a 4-3 win over Orlando City on September 21.

Columbus have also won three of their four home matches against Inter Miami, including a 3-2 win in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on August 13. Miami’s lone triumph in Columbus was a 2-1 victory in April 2023.

Peculiarly, Miami have won only one of the last six matches in which Messi has appeared (D4 L1) including drawing the last three in a row. The last time Messi played four straight club matches without a win in a single season was in March-April 2013.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 52.8%

Inter Miami – 23.1%

Draw – 24.1%