Inter Miami will be looking to keep the party going as the Herons prepare to face Charlotte in the quarter-finals. Largely boosted by the arrival of superstar Lionel Messi, Inter Miami have appeared to be a totally revived side as Gerardo Martino's men have managed to navigate their way to this juncture, and are just two matches from securing their spot in the finals.
The Herons come into this match having battled their way to an enthralling 4-4 draw against FC Dallas and overpowering their opponents in a 5-3 penalty shootout. Messi was the protagonist once again, as his brace helped to push the match to penalties and avoid what would have been a rather heartbreaking loss for the team and their fans. Fellow new signing Jordi Alba also had a huge impact, with two assists - one of which was for Messi - and along with fellow former Barcelona man Sergio Busquets, have had a significant impact on the team's remarkable improvement over just the past few weeks.
As for Messi, despite only just joining the team, the Argentinian icon has netted seven goals in just four League Cup appearances and it's a safe bet to assume that many will be backing him to score a goal (or perhaps more) in Friday's match. Of course, upcoming opponents Charlotte will be keen on derailing those plans as they also are eyeing a spot in the semi-finals and perhaps beyond.
Charlotte, who finished ninth in the Eastern Conference last season, secured their spot at this juncture following wins over FC Dallas and Mexican outfit Necaxa in the group stage, followed by beating another Mexican side, Cruz Azul, on spot-kicks in the round of 32. Their most recent success was a 2-1 result against Houston Dynamo this past Monday, and will hope to end a frustrating run on the road that has seen them fail to win their last six away matches.
Match facts: Inter Miami vs Charlotte
- Inter Miami are unbeaten in their last five home games (W3 D2)
- Meanwhile, Charlotte have failed to win their last six games across all comps
- Friday's game will be the fourth meeting between Inter Miami and Charlotte. The Herons lead the series with two wins versus Charlotte's one (D1)
Broadcast info: Inter Miami vs Charlotte
How can I watch Inter Miami vs Charlotte live?
Fans in the USA and many other countries can follow this match via MLS Pass on Apple TV. For viewers in the USA, commentary will be offered in both English and Spanish, while supporters based in Canada can also access French-language coverage.
