Inter Miami is preparing for a crucial match this Wednesday against Columbus Crew. A victory for Lionel Messi’s team would secure them the Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the best team in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season.
This would mark the second trophy for Inter Miami, following their Leagues Cup win in 2023. While the Supporters’ Shield might not hold international prestige, it demonstrates that the team is competitive and progressing toward opportunities as significant as next year’s Club World Cup.
So, what’s at stake right now?
Winning the Supporters’ Shield would dramatically alter Inter Miami’s outlook. Columbus Crew will host the match at Lower.com Field in Ohio (7:45 p.m. ET), with Inter Miami leading the Eastern Conference with 65 points.
The matchup is tight; Columbus Crew, the current MLS champions, is in second place in the Eastern Conference with 57 points and has played one game less than Miami.
If Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s side wins, they clinch the Supporters’ Shield. If they lose, they still have a chance to claim the title in their remaining two matches against Toronto on October 5 or New England on October 19, given their substantial lead in the standings.
As the regular season nears its end before the playoffs, the current standings for the Supporters’ Shield are as follows:
– Inter Miami – 65 points (31 matches played)
– LA Galaxy – 58 points (31 matches played)
– Columbus Crew – 57 points (30 matches played)
– FC Cincinnati – 56 points (31 matches played)
For Messi’s team, defeating Columbus Crew represents not only an opportunity for another title but also a shot at setting a record for the most points in a regular season.
Currently, the record stands at 73 points, established by New England Revolution in 2021. To surpass this, Inter Miami must win all remaining matches, achieving 9 points from 9 available, totaling 74 points.
Setting this record would symbolize a remarkable transformation for the team since Messi’s arrival, as they have gone from nearly the bottom of the standings in 2023 to potentially claiming the Supporters’ Shield with a record point total.
To achieve this goal, Inter Miami needs to return to winning form after three consecutive draws. The match on Wednesday will also feature a showdown between the top scorers of both teams: Luis Suárez (16 goals) and Cucho Hernández (15 goals).
The regular season concludes on October 19, with playoffs commencing on October 26.
Regardless of whether they win the Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami’s performance in the regular season has secured them a spot in the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup.
This 60th edition of the tournament will take place between February and June 2025, featuring 27 teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
So far, 12 teams have qualified for this tournament, with Inter Miami set for the first round. According to Concacaf, if Inter Miami wins the MLS final (scheduled for December 7), they will secure direct entry into the Round of 16.
Winning the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2025 would lead to a direct spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, but the 2025 tournament already has all its Concacaf slots confirmed with champions from 2021 to 2024 (Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Club León, Pachuca).
Could Messi compete in the 2025 Club World Cup?
FIFA has revamped the format of the Club World Cup, which will debut next year with 32 teams, hosted by the United States from June 15 to July 13. Only two spots remain to be determined: one for the champion of the 2024 Copa Libertadores and the other for the host nation.
This is where Messi’s Inter Miami could enter the mix. FIFA has not yet confirmed how the spot for a U.S. club will be allocated.
Will FIFA grant the entry to the Supporters’ Shield winner or the MLS final champion? Neither scenario has been confirmed, and FIFA has not released a timeline for when it will.
As it stands, Inter Miami remains in contention for both possibilities. In a hypothetical—but not impossible—scenario where they secure the host nation’s spot, Messi’s club would compete alongside prestigious teams such as Bayern Munich, Juventus, Manchester City, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Flamengo, and Real Madrid, among others.