Mascherano backs Inter Miami’s MLS Cup push ahead of New England clash
Inter Miami are looking to bounce back from a midweek defeat to the Chicago Fire, as they host the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Javier Mascherano has backed his side to win the MLS Cup, as Inter Miami prepare to host the New England Revolution in the first of their final three regular-season games.
The Herons, whose 5-3 defeat to the Chicago Fire on Tuesday meant they failed to retain their Supporters’ Shield title, now require maximum points from their final regular-season games to stand a chance of topping the Eastern Conference.
Mascherano’s side are winless in their last two games, taking just one point from the six available.
Prior to Tuesday's defeat, Miami were unbeaten in their previous four MLS outings.
“In four days, we have another game that is going to be very tough, we expect and hope to get back to winning ways,” Mascherano said.
“We want to keep climbing the positions, which will let us finish as high as possible.
“In these types of direct eliminations, they count in every sense, and it’s good to try and make the best of it so we can arrive in the best shape.
“We’re going to try to compete to win the championship.”
Meanwhile, the Revolution are coming off the back of a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United last time out, having gone winless in their previous four outings.
The Revolution have only pride to play for after failing to qualify for a playoff berth, as they sit 11th in the Eastern Conference on 35 points.
“We want to play against the best, and we want to beat the best,” said interim head coach Pablo Moreria.
“We don’t shy away from it, we are going to rise to the occasion, and we will come out aggressively.
“I don’t care who is in front of us, we are going to still have the same mentality.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Lionel Messi
Messi has struck more than once in each of his three appearances against New England, piling up seven goals in total. No player in MLS history has ever managed to record multiple goals in four consecutive games against the same opponent.
The Argentine icon is currently the top scorer in MLS, with 24 goals to his name and 15 assists.
New England – Dor Turgeman
Debutant Turgeman came off the bench to score and set up another in New England’s victory over Atlanta on Saturday, making him the first Revolution substitute since 2020 — after Luca Langoni against CF Montreal in August 2024 — to register both a goal and an assist in a single match.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Miami have come out on top in six of their nine meetings with the Revolution (L3), including victories in the last three encounters.
Only three opponents have seen Miami put together longer regular-season winning runs: five in a row against Toronto FC, and four straight against both the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati.
Despite their strong record, Miami’s 5–3 defeat to Chicago on Tuesday was just the second time this season they have lost an MLS match despite scoring three goals. The Herons are the only side in the league to suffer multiple defeats under those circumstances, and before 2025, they had never lost a game in which they scored three or more goals.
As for New England, their 2–0 triumph over Atlanta on Saturday marked just their fourth win in their last 23 outings across all competitions (D7 L12) since early May.
The Revolution have not managed to go back-to-back games unbeaten since late May, when they put together a three-match streak.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 67.3%
Draw – 18.0%
New England Revolution – 14.7%
