Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC Prediction: Primary Goal-Getter Will Need Support

• Inter Miami defeated FC Dallas 5-3 on penalties in the previous round
• Charlotte FC beat Houston Dynamo FC 2-1 in the Round of 16
• The two clubs have met twice in their domestic league. Both have won one game each

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC Odds

Odds taken from bet365

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC Pick

• Pick: Inter Miami to win 

Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC Predictions

As the two MLS sides lock horns, there is only one firm favorite – Inter Miami. Despite being at the bottom of the MLS, their form has been nothing short of scintillating in the Leagues Cup this year. Many pundits have predicted them to go all the way and lift their first major trophy. However, the focus will be on the present. A little bit of complacency crept in during the match against FC Dallas in the previous round, but Inter Miami kept their cool and won on penalties.

Meanwhile, Charlotte FC is another side that has been poor in the domestic league but has done relatively well in the Leagues Cup. So far, the MLS outfit has beaten FC Dallas, Necaxa, Cruz Azul, and Houston Dynamo. The wins against FC Dallas in the group stage and against former Leagues Cup winners Cruz Azul came after a penalty shootout. In the last round, Charlotte FC showed resilience as they scored two goals after the 80-minute-mark to nab a 2-1 win.

This 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-final will feature two of the newest sides in the competition. Inter Miami was founded five years ago, while Charlotte FC was formed just three years ago. It will be an entertaining game between two teams that are eager to nab some silverware this season. The advantage is with Inter Miami, but Charlotte FC will be a tough nut to crack.

Previous Meetings

Since both clubs are relatively new, there have only been two occasions on which they have come face-to-face in the domestic league. Both encounters took place last season. Charlotte FC won the first match in their own backyard. Inter Miami avenged the loss two months later.

When the two clubs clashed at the Bank of America Stadium, the spectators witnessed an entertaining encounter, as both teams fired over ten shots at goal. However, only one goal was scored in the match, which came via substitute Andre Shinyashiki in the 68th minute.

In the reverse fixture, Charlotte FC were on track to complete the league double over Inter Miami, leading 2-0 at the break. Yordy Reyna scored in the first minute and then doubled his tally three minutes before the break.

However, the hosts turned on the heat in Miami in the second half. Goals from Robert Taylor and Gonzalo Higuain restored parity before Emerson Rodriguez scored the winner in the 93rd minute to give Inter Miami all three points. 

Inter Miami on Their Longest Unbeaten Streak Since May 

A four-game unbeaten streak may not classify as a massive achievement for many top clubs, but for Inter Miami, it is a huge relief. The club went on a five-game unbeaten streak in May this year. It included three MLS wins and two US Open Cup victories.

After 22 games in the MLS, their total win tally is stagnant at five, which has left them at the bottom of the MLS Supporters Shield table. However, with the monumental signings of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami are looking to turn things around, and they want to start with the 2023 Leagues Cup.

So far, Inter Miami have been lucky with the fixtures, as they have not faced any side that has been dubbed as one of the favorites to win the competition. Charlotte FC are also underdogs, so the odds are strongly in favor of the hosts in this encounter.

Ex-Barcelona Boys Making All the Noise  

Heading into the mid-season break of the MLS as the lowest-ranked team is never good for a team’s morale, especially when they are heading into another tournament where a trophy is at stake. However, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino received some respite as the club brought in stellar reinforcements right before the 2023 Leagues Cup.

The arrivals of Alba, Busquets, and Messi have spruced things up at Inter Miami. Messi is currently the tournament’s top scorer, with seven goals in four matches. Meanwhile, Alba notched two assists in his first start for Inter Miami against FC Dallas on Sunday. Busquets has been solid in midfield, with an average pass accuracy of almost 90% in the last three games.

A Cup Double Could Be on the Cards for Inter Miami  

Since the new batch of prolific players arrived in Miami, the club has been named the top favorite to win the 2023 Leagues Cup. If Inter Miami beat Charlotte FC, they will only be a couple of steps away from nabbing only their second trophy.

In addition to that, Inter Miami have also reached the semi-final stage of the US Open Cup, where they will face the high-flying FC Cincinnati towards the end of this month. If things go according to the club’s plan, they could nab a couple of trophies before October.

Charlotte FC Unbeaten Yet Unconvincing   

Charlotte FC entered the 2023 Leagues Cup with a winless streak of eight games comprising five draws and three losses. The two defeats were back to back at the start of June, after which the club drew five matches on the bounce before losing in the final match before the break.

Their first match in the Leagues Cup also ended in a 2-2 draw against FC Dallas. In the penalty shootout, Charlotte FC nabbed a 4-1 win. In their second and final group-stage encounter, the MLS side finally nabbed a win in regulation time after nine games as they beat ten-men Necaxa 4-1.

In the first knockout round, they were up against former Leagues Cup champions Cruz Azul. After a goalless draw, Charlotte FC won their second penalty shootout of the tournament to set up a quarter-final meeting with Inter Miami. However, the lack of convincing victories may not have given the side enough momentum to beat the high-flying Floridians.

Primary Goal-Getter Will Need Support  

In the MLS, Charlotte FC have scored 30 goals in 23 games. Karol Swiderski has been responsible for 33 percent of those goals, as the striker has scored seven and set up three in 20 appearances.

Swiderski is responsible for half of Charlotte FC’s goals in the Leagues Cup. The club’s total goal tally in the competition after four games is eight. The Polish striker has scored and assisted twice. However, he has failed to make an impact in the last two matches.

Only a Team Effort Can Earn Charlotte FC a Win

If Charlotte FC intend to exploit Inter Miami’s defense in the upcoming match, they will need to provide Swiderski with ample support. Players like Patrick Agyemang up front and Ben Bender in midfield will have to step up and support their top scorer.

At the back, the defenders will have to be on their toes to keep Messi at bay. Overall, every Charlotte FC player will have to bring their A-game to the pitch to get a win against Inter Miami.

How to Watch Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC

• Teams: Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC
• Location: DRV PNK Stadium
• Time: Friday, August 11 at 8:30 pm ET
• How to watch: Apple TV, Televisa, Univision, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS.