Messi leads Miami to face Red Bulls in crucial Eastern Conference clash

Inter Miami CF travels to Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey on Saturday, October 24, at 5:30 p.m. ET to face Red Bull New York in a fixture with significant playoff implications for both teams. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV in English and Spanish, with Red Bulls Radio beginning pre-match coverage at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Inter Miami arrives in commanding form, sitting second in the Eastern Conference with 55 points from a record of 15 wins, 5 losses, and 10 draws. The club has secured a playoff berth and carries a three-game winning streak into the contest. Captain Lionel Messi has been in exceptional form this season, leading MLS with 25 goals and 15 assists for 40 total goal contributions. In Inter Miami's most recent match, a 3-1 road victory over Atlanta United, Messi scored twice and provided one assist. Other attacking options include Germán Berterame and Luis Suárez, who have recorded 9 goals, 10 assists and 15 goals, 12 assists respectively this season. Despite attending the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport in Oviedo, Spain on October 23, Inter Miami's coach has indicated that Messi is expected to be available for the match.

Red Bull New York faces significant pressure to secure points as they occupy ninth place—the final playoff position—in the Eastern Conference with 36 points from 10 wins, 14 losses, and 6 draws. The club has won only two of their last five matches and suffered consecutive defeats, most recently falling 2-0 at home to Toronto FC. Young forward Julian Hall leads the Red Bulls' attack with 11 goals and 5 assists in 29 appearances. Head coach Michael Bradley's first season has been inconsistent, and with only four games remaining, New York sits level on points with Toronto and just one point ahead of Columbus Crew, leaving minimal room for error in the playoff race.

This is the 14th regular season meeting between the sides in club history, with the series even at 6-6-1. In their first meeting this season on April 11, the teams drew 2-2 at Inter Miami's stadium. Inter Miami has not lost to Red Bull New York in recent matchups, recording three wins and one draw in their last four encounters. Betting markets favor Miami heavily, with approximately 53 percent backing the visitors compared to 27 percent for the Red Bulls, reflecting the disparity in current form and standing.