It could be a historic night for Charlotte FC when they host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday night in a match with major playoff implications.

Charlotte (16-11-2, 50 points) has soared into third place in the Eastern Conference while on an eight-match winning streak, and can clinch a postseason berth with a victory as long as the New York Red Bulls do not earn a win over the Portland Timbers.

A ninth consecutive victory would tie the all-time MLS record, not counting the shootout era from 1996-99.

Inter Miami (13-5-7, 46 points) are coming off a tumultuous 3-0 loss to Seattle on Aug. 31 in the Leagues Cup final. That match ended with an ugly postgame scuffle, which led to the suspension of forward Luis Suarez for six 2026 Leagues Cup games and the club's next three MLS matches.

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