Preview: Inter Miami head to CharlotteShareInter Miami return to MLS action this weekend following an eventful outing in the mid-season Leagues Cup tournament.By James NaltonJavier Mascherano’s side will be looking for a late push to retain their Supporters’ Shield title, beginning with Saturday night’s game against Charlotte FC.Miami lost 3-0 to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, and the game was marred by a post-match scuffle in which Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez spat in the face of Seattle’s head of team security, Gene Ramirez.Sergio Busquets threw a punch in the melee, while Tomas Aviles was also heavily involved.Luis Suárez suspendedPart of the fallout from that Leagues Cup incident means Suárez will be missing for this game against Charlotte, having picked up a three-match MLS suspension.Though the Uruguayan had already been handed a six-match ban in the Leagues Cup itself, which will kick in at next year’s tournament, the incident also warranted a ban in the league.As a result, he will miss three MLS matches, though many thought it should have been more. He will be back in plenty of time for an end-of-season push and the playoffs.Busquets and Aviles both escaped further punishment in MLS, but were handed two and three-match bans, respectively, for the 2026 Leagues Cup.A late Shield defenceInter Miami have been far from the standard they set in 2024, but still have a chance of retaining their Supporters’ Shield title, which they won with an MLS record haul of 74 points in the previous regular season.If they win all their remaining games, they would reach 73 points, but in 2025, they have not looked like a team that can go on such a run.Nevertheless, they will still be eyeing the top of the table, and have four games in hand on Philadelphia Union, who currently occupy pole position, 11 points ahead of Miami.There is still a small chance they can retain their title, and Mascherano, Messi, and eventually Suiárez, will be treating every game until the end of the playoffs like a final, starting with Charlotte on Saturday night.Opposition watch: Charlotte FCThe North Carolina club, coached by Dean Smith, are unbeaten in their last nine games and have won their last eight.They come into this game at home not fearing Inter Miami, but seeing a chance to get one over on them and continue their own push to the top of the table.A hamstring injury has kept star player Pep Biel out of recent matches, but the attacking midfielder, who is second in the MLS assists charts, has been back in training this week and could feature.Idan Toklomati has stepped up in Biel’s absence. The 21-year-old now leads the team for goals per 90 and xG, having scored seven in his last 11 MLS games.If he continues this form with the return of the creative Biel, then Charlotte could be one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the league.Former Premier League players Wilfried Zaha and Ashley Westwood are the only Charlotte players other than Biel to have an average FotMob rating over seven.In goal, they have Kristijan Kahlina, who is one of the best shot-stoppers in MLS. The 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year will need to be in good form against Lionel Messi.PredictionInter Miami now has plenty to play for, but Charlotte have been in good form lately and could claim a memorable win in front of 35,000 fans at home, especially if they can get Biel back on the pitch.(Cover Image from IMAGO)You can follow every MLS game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: Inter Miami head to CharlotteInter Miami return to MLS action this weekend following an eventful outing in the mid-season Leagues Cup tournament.By James NaltonJavier Mascherano’s side will be looking for a late push to retain their Supporters’ Shield title, beginning with Saturday night’s game against Charlotte FC.Miami lost 3-0 to Seattle in the Leagues Cup final, and the game was marred by a post-match scuffle in which Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez spat in the face of Seattle’s head of team security, Gene Ramirez.Sergio Busquets threw a punch in the melee, while Tomas Aviles was also heavily involved.Luis Suárez suspendedPart of the fallout from that Leagues Cup incident means Suárez will be missing for this game against Charlotte, having picked up a three-match MLS suspension.Though the Uruguayan had already been handed a six-match ban in the Leagues Cup itself, which will kick in at next year’s tournament, the incident also warranted a ban in the league.As a result, he will miss three MLS matches, though many thought it should have been more. He will be back in plenty of time for an end-of-season push and the playoffs.Busquets and Aviles both escaped further punishment in MLS, but were handed two and three-match bans, respectively, for the 2026 Leagues Cup.A late Shield defenceInter Miami have been far from the standard they set in 2024, but still have a chance of retaining their Supporters’ Shield title, which they won with an MLS record haul of 74 points in the previous regular season.If they win all their remaining games, they would reach 73 points, but in 2025, they have not looked like a team that can go on such a run.Nevertheless, they will still be eyeing the top of the table, and have four games in hand on Philadelphia Union, who currently occupy pole position, 11 points ahead of Miami.There is still a small chance they can retain their title, and Mascherano, Messi, and eventually Suiárez, will be treating every game until the end of the playoffs like a final, starting with Charlotte on Saturday night.Opposition watch: Charlotte FCThe North Carolina club, coached by Dean Smith, are unbeaten in their last nine games and have won their last eight.They come into this game at home not fearing Inter Miami, but seeing a chance to get one over on them and continue their own push to the top of the table.A hamstring injury has kept star player Pep Biel out of recent matches, but the attacking midfielder, who is second in the MLS assists charts, has been back in training this week and could feature.Idan Toklomati has stepped up in Biel’s absence. The 21-year-old now leads the team for goals per 90 and xG, having scored seven in his last 11 MLS games.If he continues this form with the return of the creative Biel, then Charlotte could be one of the most dangerous attacking teams in the league.Former Premier League players Wilfried Zaha and Ashley Westwood are the only Charlotte players other than Biel to have an average FotMob rating over seven.In goal, they have Kristijan Kahlina, who is one of the best shot-stoppers in MLS. The 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year will need to be in good form against Lionel Messi.PredictionInter Miami now has plenty to play for, but Charlotte have been in good form lately and could claim a memorable win in front of 35,000 fans at home, especially if they can get Biel back on the pitch.(Cover Image from IMAGO)You can follow every MLS game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.