Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to conclude their 2023 season, but their opponents aren't quite ready to be done with the campaign if they can help it.
With Inter Miami already eliminated from the postseason, they will be done for the year after Saturday's visit to Charlotte FC, with Messi amongst the squad and in the starting lineup for his club one more time before a long, well-deserved break.
Yet Charlotte FC are still in the thick of the playoff race, and almost surely need three points from this regular-season finale plus outside help to snatch a postseason berth.
Can Messi & Friends play spoiler on Decision Day, or will they finish a rollercoaster season with a thud? Below are the projected lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to the match.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along live as The Sporting News is on site for Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami lineups, team news
All three of Inter Miami's star players are fit and available for this match, including Lionel Messi. His former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are also ready to go, with Alba having returned from his hamstring injury with a substitute appearance in Wednesday's draw. Messi and Busquets start, but Alba can only muster a place on the bench.
The toughest decision for Charlotte FC head coach Christian Lattanzio was to sort out how to get both Enzo Copetti and Karol Swiderski involved up front. Copetti started and scored in Wednesday's draw, but it was hard to keep Swiderski on the bench for long given his recent form, and he starts too in a 4-4-2.
Below are the confirmed starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
MORE: Confirmed & rumored Inter Miami preseason friendlies ahead of the 2024 season
Catching a flight to Charlotte 👋✈️ pic.twitter.com/S67pPLNvQU
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 20, 2023
Charlotte FC starting 11 vs Inter Miami
Charlotte FC starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): Kahlina (GK) — Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen — Jozwiak, Westwood, Bronico, Vargas — Copetti, Swiderski.
- Out: Ben Bender, Vinicius Mello.
- Doubt: None.
- Suspended: None.
Karol Swiderski's inclusion comes at the expense of Belgian No. 10 Brecht Dejaegere.
Midfielder Ben Bender is out with a knee injury, while young Brazilian striker Vinicius Mello remains sidelined with a leg problem. Derrick Jones is back from a yellow card suspension in Wednesday's game, and is available for selection here.
Inter Miami starting 11 vs Charlotte FC
Inter Miami starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Dos Santos (GK) — Yedlin, Aviles, Miller, Allen — Gregore, Busquets, Cremaschi — Messi, Campana, D. Gomez.
- Out: Serhiy Kryvtsov, Ian Fray, Coretin Jean, Franco Negri
- Doubt: None.
- Suspended: None.
Central defender Serhiy Kryvtsov is absent with a hamstring injury, meaning Kamal Miller will partner with young Tomas Aviles as they did on Wednesday. Drake Callender is the regular starting goalkeeper, but in a meaningless season finale, Gerardo Martino has decided to give CJ Dos Santos a chance to impress.
Ian Fray, Franco Negri, and Corentin Jean remain in long-term recovery from ACL tears, but Gregore returned to a starting role on Wednesday after missing much of the year with a broken foot, and is back in the XI today.
MORE: When do Lionel Messi, Inter Miami begin 2024 season?
#Messi𓃵 warming up in Charlotte. Kickoff in a half-hour.#InterMiamiCF #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/v5HYvWeGBZ
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 21, 2023
Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC live stream, TV channel
| Date | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Streaming | |
| Global | Sat, Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. | — | Apple TV (MLS Season Pass) |
