This Saturday, the series between InterMiami And Nashville SC will be decided. After two games, each team has one win, beginning a decisive third and final chapter at Chase Stadium. Lionel Messi and his teammates will try to get the MLS For the first time in the club’s history, the semi-finals of the play-offs will be played.
In Game 1, the Herons took a valuable lead at home with a 3-1 win, highlighted by a brace from Messi. That result put them one win away from advancing, but things didn’t go as planned last week in Tennessee, where they fell 2-1.
The unusual format of the first round of the MLS Playoffs make goal difference irrelevant. In other words, only the result matters – whether it’s a blowout, a narrow victory or a shootout victory after a draw in regulation.
Over the two games InterMiami have scored four goals and Nashville SC three. In most competitions around the world, such as the UEFA Champions League– that would have been enough to move forward. But MLS rules are different, which is why the series is tied at one win apiece heading into Saturday’s deciding match at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi #10 celebrates with Jordi Alba #18 and Sergio Busquets #5.
What happens if Inter Miami beats Nashville SC?
If they win in Miami this Saturday, the Herons will get their second win of the series and secure a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals. As in the previous matches, goal difference will not matter; any victory will be enough.
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No Luis Suarez, but will Lionel Messi start? Expected Lineups for Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC in Crucial MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Game 3
Reaching the next round would mark a historic achievement for Inter Miami, which has never advanced to the semifinals of the MLS Playoffs since joining the league in 2020. The team was eliminated twice in the opening round, once in the play-in, and on two other occasions failed to reach the postseason at all.
What happens if Inter Miami draws against Nashville SC?
The best-of-three format at this stage of the play-offs ensures that there is a winner in every match. In the first two games, Inter played Miami and Nashville each recorded one win in regulation. But if either match had ended in a draw, a penalty shootout would have been necessary to determine the winner.
The same rule applies this Saturday. Game 3 will finally settle the series and determine which team will advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Therefore, if the score is equal at the final whistle, the match goes to penalties to determine whether Inter Miami or Nashville SC will move on.
see also
How to watch the Inter Miami vs Nashville SC match in USA: live stream and TV for the MLS 2025
What happens if Inter Miami loses to Nashville SC?
If Inter Miami loses to Nashville SC this Saturday, they will be eliminated from the Eastern Conference Playoffs and their title hopes will end. It would mirror what happened in the 2024 season, when they were defeated in Game 3 by Atlanta United.
Should the Herons fall short in their quest to reach the MLS semi-finals, Lionel Messi would face an unknown situation in his illustrious career:End 2025 without a single trophyboth at club level with Inter Miami and internationally with Argentina.
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