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Down the Stretch: Charlotte and Chicago will play key roles in Inter Miami’s last-gasp playoffs push
Inter Miami’s match at Chicago tonight is critical to the Herons’ postseason hopes. La Rosa Negra can’t be eliminated, but its final three matches are at Supporters’ Shield winner Cincinnati and home and away against Charlotte — which plays at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday.
By Ken Garner
Inter Miami can’t be eliminated from playoff contention, but if the Herons are serious about postseason competition they desperately need to win tonight at Soldier Field. But first, the obligatory mention of Lionel Messi’s availability: Who knows?
Messi may or may not play. Coach Tata Martino says his availability will be a game time decision; my gut says don’t count on seeing the Argentine superstar again this season. Messi is suffering from fatigue OR from an undisclosed leg injury that may — or may not — be serious. Michelle Kaufmann of Miami Herald has some fascinating updates on this situation in a story from yesterday, although it doesn't truly answer anything. At this point, I prefer that Messi sit out the rest of the season. It’s time to start planning for 2024.