Playoff Chase: Inter Miami falters against Nashville, needs a result Sunday in Los Angeles

The Herons have 10 matches left to make up 10 points; their best player, Lionel Messi, will miss two matches while on duty with La Albiceleste, and several other key players also have been called up for international duty. Inter Miami's motto is "Freedom to Dream," but La Rosanegra may be close to waking up. Playoff Chase is a look at each Matchday's matchups and the results that would most help IMCF. Here's this week's rundown:

Inter Miami didn't help itself with a scoreless draw Wednesday at Nashville, but the Herons still gained points on the teams its chasing for the final playoff spot. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 32 points from 26 matches; the Fire lost 1-0 to Vancouver its last time out. Montreal is eighth, with 35 points, also after 26 matches.

La Rosanegra has 22 points from 24 matches; its tied for 14th in the East with Toronto FC on points, but has a better goal differential (minus-12 to minus-16), giving it slight edge over the last-place Reds.

Ten points out of a playoff spot with 10 matches to play, the Herons have little wiggle room. They likely need to win nine of those matches to be in the playoff conversation. At its current rate, Chicago will finish with 48 points; eight wins would give Miami 46 points.

The most points Inter Miami can accumulate is 52; if nine teams pass that threshold, the Herons' hopes are dashed. The Men in Pink obviously will need some help. Here's who they'll be pulling for today: