Inter Miami have the chance to lock up a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs when they welcome already-eliminated D.C. United to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night.
The Herons bounced back from a heavy 3-0 defeat to Charlotte FC with a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday, a bit of redemption against the side that had edged them in the Leagues Cup Final less than three weeks ago.
Lionel Messi bagged a brace and could have had more, but Miami's threadbare squad once again stood out, with just 15 outfield players and two goalkeepers named to the matchday sheet, well below the standard MLS 20-man roster.
The win steadied Miami after a rocky stretch and gives them a chance to clinch postseason football in back-to-back years for the first time in club history. The scenarios are straightforward: they're in with a win over D.C. if the New York Red Bulls lose or draw against CF Montréal, or even with a draw against D.C. should New York lose.
D.C. United, meanwhile, enter the weekend in flux after parting ways with sporting director Ally Mackey earlier this week. The Black and Red have just one win from their last 13 outings and arrive in South Florida with plenty of problems to solve.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Inter Miami CF vs DC United online - TV channels & live streams
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In the United States (US) and worldwide, the MLS match between Inter Miami and DC United will be available to watch and stream online live on Apple TV, through the MLS Season Pass.
Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates.
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Inter Miami CF vs DC United kick-off time
The MLS match between Inter Miami and DC United will be played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States.
It will kick off at 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET on Saturday, September 20, in the US.
Team news & squads
Inter Miami CF vs DC United lineups
4-3-3
Formation
4-3-3
DCUMIA-Line up
MIASubstitutes
Manager
J. Mascherano
DCU-Line up
DCUSubstitutes
Manager
R. Weiler
Injuries and Suspended players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Inter Miami CF team news
For Miami, head coach Javier Mascherano will at least have center-back Tomas Aviles available again after his red card against Charlotte, but they remain without Luis Suarez (suspended following a post-final spitting incident) and Fafa Picault, still sidelined after picking up an injury on Haiti duty. Long-term absentees Baltsar Rodriguez, Allen Obando, David Ruiz, and Telasco Segovia are also unavailable.
The season has underlined just how dependent Miami remain on Messi, with the 38-year-old often carrying the team’s fortunes. Encouragingly, reports this week suggest he'll commit to two more seasons, keeping him in pink through the 2026 World Cup, which will bring matches to Miami.
For now, though, the focus is on navigating a brutal run: Saturday's clash is the third of nine games in a 27-day span, an unforgiving stretch for an aging squad. Clinching early would give Mascherano the chance to rotate and preserve legs for the playoff push.
DC United team news
As for United, they'll be missing Canadian defender Lukas MacNaughton, who returned from a knee injury only to see red against Orlando last weekend. In attack, long-term casualty Kristian Fletcher is out following knee surgery, Randall Leal is likely to remain sidelined, and Dominique Badji is nursing a hamstring strain.
That leaves captain Christian Benteke, the club's top scorer with eight MLS goals, to carry the burden up front, with Jackson Hopkins, fresh off three goals in his last four league matches, another key figure in their bid to spoil Miami’s party.
Form
MIA-Form
MIAInter Miami CF
3
-
1
Seattle Sounders FC
W
Charlotte FC
3
-
0
Inter Miami CF
L
Seattle Sounders FC
3
-
0
Inter Miami CF
L
Inter Miami CF
3
-
1
Orlando City
W
DC United
1
-
1
Inter Miami CF
D
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 7/9
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 4/5
- Both teams scored
- 3/5
DCU-Form
DCUDC United
1
-
1
Orlando City
D
New York City FC
1
-
2
DC United
W
DC United
1
-
1
Inter Miami CF
D
CF Montreal
1
-
1
DC United
D
New England Revolution
2
-
0
DC United
L
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 5/6
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 1/5
- Both teams scored
- 4/5
Head-to-Head Record
MIALast 5 matches
DCU2
Wins
2
Draws
1
Win
DC United
1
-
1
Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami CF
1
-
0
DC United
DC United
1
-
3
Inter Miami CF
DC United
2
-
2
Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami CF
1
-
2
DC United
Goals scored
6- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 4/5