Match Preview: Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC
MLS side Inter Miami, inspired by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, is set to face Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. The match will be played at the home ground of Inter Miami, i.e., DRV Pink Stadium.
charlotte fc
Charlotte FC is a Major League Soccer (MLS) team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was announced as an expansion team in December 2019. Currently, the team stands in the 12th position of the Eastern Conference with 26 points from 23 matches in Major League Soccer, followed by New York City at 13, Toronto FC at 14, and Messi’s Inter Miami at 15.
head-to-head
Inter Miami and Charlotte FC have faced each other three times, with Miami winning two of them. The only defeat that Charlotte handed to Inter Miami was on May 8, 2022, where the score ended 1-0 in favor of Charlotte FC. The last meeting between these two clubs saw a remarkable five-goal thriller, with Miami scoring three and Charlotte scoring two. Apart from these two games, Miami faced Charlotte in the Carolina Challenge Cup on Feb 20, 2022. The game ended in Miami’s favor with a scoreline of 2-1.
road to quarterfinal
Inter Miami started their 2023 league cup campaign with a victory against the Mexican side Cruz Azul, inspired by Lionel Messi’s 94th-minute free-kick goal. They later defeated Atlanta United with a scoreline of 4-0, thanks to a brace by the pair of Robert Taylor and Lionel Messi. Before eliminating FC Dallas in a penalty shootout in the round of 16, Inter Miami defeated Orlando City in the Round of 32. In both of the knockout stage matches, Lionel Messi scored two goals.
Similarly, Charlotte FC started their campaign with a penalty shootout win against FC Dallas. In the second group stage match, they defeated Necaxa 4-1. They beat Cruz Azul in a penalty shootout in the Round of 32. In the pre-quarterfinal match, Charlotte FC defeated Houston Dynamo, thanks to an own goal by Dynamo’s Micael.
player to watch
lionel messi ( inter miami )
World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi is in red-hot form in the Leagues Cup 2023. He is already the top scorer of the tournament with 7 goals in just 4 matches. He has been the difference in all four matches for Inter Miami, winning the man of the match award in all of them.
Karol Świderski (Charlotte FC )
Charlotte FC’s striker, Karol Świderski, is the one that Inter Miami should be aware of. The Polish striker has already scored twice and provided two assists in this tournament. If not given proper care, the striker could be a headache for Inter Miami.
kick-off
The quarterfinal match between Inter Miami and Charlotte FC will start at 8 PM ET. The match will be played at DRV Pink Stadium. The winner of this match will play against the winner of Philadelphia and Querétaro.
