Nashville SC faces Inter Miami in the third and decisive game of the Major League Soccer playoff series, at GEODIS Park, in Nashville, Tennessee, this Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 8:30 pm local time. The match defines who advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals, after Inter Miami won 3-1 in the first game and tied 2-2 in the second. The clash takes place in the midst of Inter Miami’s historic campaign, which is seeking its first qualification beyond the first round in the playoffs.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano confirmed the participation of Lionel Messi, MLS’ top scorer with 26 goals in the regular season. Nashville SC, led by B.J. Callaghan, bets on the strength of field control to reverse the aggregate score of 5-3. The series reflects the balance of the Eastern Conference, with both teams among the leaders of the regular phase.
- Messi leads the playoff scorers with three goals in the first two games.
- Nashville’s Sam Surridge scored twice in the second game, tying the match.
- GEODIS Park has a capacity for 30,000 fans, with tickets sold out for the decisive game.
- Weather forecast indicates 12°C in the evening, with cloudy skies and low chance of rain, favoring football.
Probable lineups and confirmed absences
Willis will defend Nashville SC’s goal, with a defense made up of Najar, Zimmerman, Maher and Lovitz. In midfield, Shaffelburg, Brugman, Tagseth and Muyl should support strikers Mukhtar and Surridge. The team arrives without injuriess serious, but with fatigue after the recent draw.
Inter Miami should line up Novo in goal, followed by Fray, Falcón, Allen and Alba on the defensive line. De Paul and Busquets control the middle, with Allende, Messi and Rodríguez in attack, finished by Suárez. Alba and Busquets, in their last matches before retirement, are confirmed.
Recent clash history
The teams met three times in the 2025 regular season, with Inter Miami winning twice and Nashville once. The most recent, in October, ended 5-2 for Miami. In the playoffs, the first game saw Miami dominate with goals from Messi (two) and Suárez.
Nashville won the last duel at home 2-1, in July. The overall record favors Miami, with six wins in ten games. Callaghan highlighted the need to press high to neutralize the opponent’s counterattack.
Results of each team’s last five games
Nashville SC has shown recent inconsistency but resilience at home. See the scores:
- Inter Miami 3 x 1 Nashville SC (playoffs, 10/24/2025)
- Nashville SC 2 x 2 Inter Miami (playoffs, 10/28/2025)
- Nashville SC 1 x 0 Philadelphia Union (MLS, 10/19/2025)
- Nashville SC 0 x 1 DC United (MLS, 10/12/2025)
- Nashville SC 2 x 0 New York City FC (MLS, 10/05/2025)
Inter Miami maintains a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, driven by Messi.
Where to watch live and streaming options
The match will be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV+ via MLS Season Pass, available to subscribers worldwide. In Brazil, the service offers narration in Portuguese and multiple camera options. Fans can access it via the app or website, with a monthly cost of US$14.99 or an annual cost of US$99.
There are no confirmed free broadcasts, but highlights will be available on the official MLS website after the final whistle. For remaining tickets, see the GEODIS Park website, although most have already been sold.
Scorer highlights and curiosities
Lionel Messi, with 26 goals in the regular season and three in the playoffs, is chasing his second league MVP title. Suárez has 18 goals, while Surridge, from Nashville, has 23 this season. Mukhtar contributed 17 goals and eight assists for the hosts.
GEODIS Park, opening in 2022, is the most modern MLS stadium in the Southern USA. Curiosity: thisand it is the first playoff meeting between the teams since 2023, when Miami advanced on penalties. The refereeing will be by Ismail Elfath, known for precise decisions in high-risk games.
Tactical preparation of coaches
Javier Mascherano opts for a flexible 4-3-3, prioritizing ball possession and quick transitions with Messi centrally. B.J. Callaghan, a former assistant for the US national team, plans a 4-2-3-1 defensive formation, focusing on set pieces, where Nashville scored 40% of its goals. Both coaches adjusted formations after the Game 2 draw, incorporating more speed on the flanks.
Mascherano praised the maturity of the squad, including veterans like Busquets. Callaghan emphasized the home crowd as a decisive factor, with the team training under conditions similar to those expected for the evening.
