D.C. United vs Inter Miami Live: How to Watch Lionel Messi’s Must-See MLS Showdown Tonight

Fort Lauderdale, FL—Inter Miami CF host D.C. United on Saturday, September 20, with kick-off set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Chase Stadium. The Herons can clinch an MLS Cup Playoffs berth with a victory and favorable results elsewhere, while the already-eliminated Black-and-Red are looking to play spoiler and snap a one-win-in-13 skid. Playoff-Chasing Herons • Inter Miami (12-9-5, 41 pts) ended a two-game slide by defeating Seattle 3-1 on Tuesday, a match in which Lionel Messi bagged a brace despite a shortened bench. • Javier Mascherano regains center-back Tomás Avilés from suspension but will again be without Luis Suárez, who serves the final game of his ban for post-Leagues Cup misconduct. • Messi (18 goals, 12 assists in all comps) is supported by Sergio Busquets and newcomer Rodrigo De Paul in a 4-1-2-3 designed to dominate possession and press high. Pride-Driven D.C. • D.C. United (6-12-12, 30 pts) parted ways with sporting director Ally Mackay this week, signaling a major rebuild. Interim coach René Weiler is leaning on Christian Benteke (8 goals) to lead an attack that ranks last in MLS scoring. • Center-back Lukas MacNaughton is suspended; Dominique Badji, Kristian Fletcher and Randall Leal remain out injured. Expect a youthful midfield trio of Jackson Hopkins, Brandon Servania and Matti Peltola in a 4-3-3 system. Head-to-Head & Recent Form • All-time MLS series: D.C. United 5 W – Inter Miami 3 W – 3 D. • Last meeting: 1-1 draw at Audi Field on Aug. 23. • Inter Miami: W-L-L-W-W • D.C. United: D-W-D-D-L Projected Lineups Inter Miami (4-1-2-3): Ustari; Weigandt, Falcón, Avilés, Alba; Busquets; De Paul, Bright; Allende, Messi, Allen. D.C. United (4-3-3): Barraza; Antley, Bartlett, Rowles, Schnegg; Hopkins, Servania, Peltola; Pirani, Benteke, Pêglow. Key Match-Ups 1. Lionel Messi vs. Steve Birnbaum/Billy Rowles—Can D.C.’s patchwork center-back pairing contain the Argentine’s false-nine drifting? 2. Christian Benteke vs. Tomás Avilés—Benteke’s physicality will test a Miami back line that concedes on set pieces. 3. Midfield battle—Busquets and De Paul’s passing range against Hopkins’ energy and Servania’s ball-winning will dictate tempo. How to Watch & Stream • MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (global). • Spanish-language radio: WQBA 1140 AM (Miami), El Zol 107.9 FM (D.C.). • Hashtags: #InterMiami #DCUnited #MLS Stat Nuggets • Inter Miami score 1.86 goals per match at home—third best in the league. • D.C. United have conceded 55 goals, most in the Eastern Conference. • Messi averages a direct goal contribution every 63 minutes in league play. Prediction Momentum, home advantage and Messi’s form point toward a comfortable night for the Herons. Inter Miami 3, D.C. United 0, sealing Miami’s postseason ticket and leaving D.C. to focus on offseason restructuring.