Inter Miami vs New York City FC: Messi Status, Start Time, TV Channel & Live-Stream Guide

Kickoff at Citi Field tonight (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) brings one of the season’s most-searched matchups: Inter Miami vs New York City FC. Only a single point separates the Eastern Conference contenders—NYCFC sit on 53, Miami on 52—so the winner gains a direct path toward a top-four playoff seed and home-field advantage. MATCH DETAILS Date: Wednesday, 24 September 2025 Venue: Citi Field, Queens (temporary home while Yankee Stadium undergoes renovations) Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT Watch: Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass (English & Spanish feeds) Odds (ESPN BET, 24 Sept): NYCFC +140 | Draw +280 | Inter Miami +165 WHY THIS GAME MATTERS • Table pressure: Positions 3-6 are split by just three points; a victory could vault either club into a Concacaf Champions Cup berth. • Messi factor: Lionel Messi leads MLS in both goals (22) and assists (13) despite missing six matches; he is fit and in the starting XI, drawing sell-out crowds and record streaming numbers. • Streak storyline: NYCFC are unbeaten in their last seven against Miami (3 W-4 D), including February’s 2-2 draw in Fort Lauderdale. PREDICTED STARTING LINEUPS New York City FC (4-4-2): Freese; O’Toole, Martins, Haak, Gray; Perea, O’Neill, Morález, Fernández; Ojeda, Wolf. Inter Miami (4-4-1-1): Callender; Alba, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Yedlin; Busquets, Gressel; Taylor, Segovia; Messi; Suárez. KEY BATTLES TO WATCH – Maxi Morález vs Sergio Busquets: veteran playmakers who dictate tempo. – Thiago Martins vs Luis Suárez: center-back tasked with containing the league’s most clinical finisher inside the box. – Citi Field’s narrow outfield vs Jordi Alba’s overlaps: width may be sacrificed, forcing Miami to play through the middle. FORM GUIDE NYCFC: W-D-W-L-W (all comps) Inter Miami: D-W-W-L-D STAT CORNER – Goals scored: Miami 60, NYC 46 (season). – Goals conceded: Miami 46, NYC 35. – Alonso Martínez has 17 goals, nearly 37 % of NYCFC’s total offense. – Messi has scored or assisted on 58 % of Miami’s goals, highest individual contribution rate in MLS. HOW TO WATCH & STREAM 1. Open the Apple TV app or tv.apple.com. 2. Select MLS Season Pass > Matches > Inter Miami vs NYCFC. 3. Spanish commentary and full 90-minute replay available immediately after final whistle. WEATHER & PITCH Forecast calls for 69 °F and clear skies at kickoff—ideal for Messi’s trademark diagonals and NYCFC’s high press. Citi Field’s grass surface was re-laid Monday, ensuring a true roll for ground passes. PREDICTION Expect goals; both clubs average over 1.7 per game, and five of the last six meetings produced multiple-goal scorelines. If Messi and Suárez receive service between the lines, Miami can snap their winless run against NYC, but home-field energy and a tighter defense tilt the balance. Scoreline call: NYCFC 2, Inter Miami 2—honors even, drama guaranteed. SEO TAKEAWAY Searches for “Inter Miami vs New York City live stream,” “Messi playing today,” and “Citi Field MLS” are spiking. Bookmark this page for post-match highlights, player ratings, and updated MLS standings minutes after full time.