The MLS Cup Playoffs continue on Saturday, Nov. 1, with five matchups, including Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visiting Nashville SC in Game 2 of their first-round series. The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV
Inter Miami has a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series – hoping to move onto the conference semifinals for the first time in the franchise’s brief history since joining MLS in 2020.
However, a win by Nashville would force Game 3 at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Nov. 8.
Here’s everything you need to know about today’s match, and stay tuned as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from the Nashville-Inter Miami match:
Nashville 1, Inter Miami 0: Sam Surridge score penalty (9’)
Nashville’s Sam Surridge scored a penalty in the 9th minute to help his side take an early 1-0 lead against Inter Miami.
The play resulted from a penalty where Surridge was tripped inside the penalty area by Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo while making a charge toward the ball in the 7th minute.
Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0: Early yellow card for Nashville (4’)
Nashville’s Edvard Tagseth picks up a yellow card for a late kick of the ball toward Inter Miami’s Ian Fray, who was tripped up.
Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0: Match has begun (0′)
It’s going to be a rainy contest in Nashville, with the game about to begin.
Messi warms up with Luis Suarez before the game
Nashville’s Sam Surridge warms up
Sam Surridge, who finished second in the Golden Boot race behind Messi, warms up before tonight’s match.
Messi, Inter Miami arrives to Nashville for match
What time is the Nashville vs Inter Miami match?
The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. in Nashville, 8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at GEODIS Park in Nashville.
How to watch Nashville vs Inter Miami on TV, live stream link?
The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing today? Inter Miami vs. Nashville starting lineups
Yes, Messi was announced as a starter in Inter Miami’s starting lineup, an hour before the match.
What to know about Inter Miami vs Nashville
It’ll be their third time facing each other in as many weeks: Messi had a hat trick with an assist in a 5-2 win on the final day of the regular season in Nashville on Oct. 18, then scored two goals with an assist in a 3-1 win in Game 1 at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Oct. 24.
Overall, Inter Miami has not dropped any of its last 10 matches against Nashville.
‘We know despite having had two positive results against them in the last two weekends, we have to understand that Nashville has put us in many difficult moments,’ Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Nashville before practice on Friday, Oct 31. ‘We’ve dealt with it well, but they’ll surely put us in a difficult moment again. We have to be prepared for that.’
Nashville hopes to bounce back
Nashville, which won the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, is led by MVP finalist Sam Surridge, and 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar. They’ve won 14 of 20 matches across all competitions at their home stadium, and hope to extend the series against Inter Miami.
‘They’re a really good team,’ Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said of Inter Miami on Friday, Oct 31. ‘They’ve challenged us in different ways, and I think we’ve been able to spend this week learning some things from the last game, improving some areas, and focusing on what we do well.’
Mukhtar scored in Game 1 of the series, while Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the regular-season finale against Inter Miami.
Messi, Inter Miami stars to appear on Tik Tok Player Spotlight
Inter Miami’s Messi, Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Serigo Busquets and Jordi Alba will be featured on TikTok live dedicated live stream during Game 2 in Nashville.
Messi joins Luis Suarez on Watch Party live stream before Nashville game
Messi and Rodrigo De Paul joined Luis Suarez on a live stream of a Uruguayan soccer match between Deportivo LSM against Montevideo Boca Juniors before Game 2 in Nashville. Suarez and Messi started the Deportivo LSM club earlier this year.
Inter Miami, MLS Cup playoff schedule
Nov. 8: Game 3 at Inter Miami, Time TBD (if necessary)
Nov. 10-18: FIFA international window
Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals
Nov. 29-30: Conference finals
Dec. 6: MLS Cup Final