Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano has expressed confidence as his team gears up to face a revenge-driven Nashville SC in their Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 encounter. He described his squad as playing with “blood in their eyes” ahead of Wednesday night’s match at Geodis Park.
The last time these two teams met was during the first round of the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs, where Inter Miami secured a 2-1 victory in the best-of-three series, ultimately eliminating Nashville.
“It’s always a challenging game in Nashville. We know their fans will create a tough atmosphere, and we must remember we are facing a team that is hungry for revenge,” Mascherano stated on Tuesday.
“Having eliminated them in the playoffs and having previously won titles against them, they will undoubtedly seek to reclaim their honor. We acknowledge we’re going up against an opponent eager for sporting revenge, and we must be prepared for that.”
Inter Miami aims to claim the Concacaf Champions Cup trophy after falling short in the previous two seasons. The Herons reached the semifinals last time but were defeated 5-1 on aggregate by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“We don’t get to choose which competitions to enter; we must compete in all of them. The Champions League is the one trophy missing from our collection, and it excites all of us. However, we must not let this excitement turn into obsession. Being excited is different from being obsessed, which can lead to mistakes,” Mascherano emphasized.
Miami captain Lionel Messi is also eyeing a historic moment as he seeks to score his 900th career goal during Wednesday’s match. The Argentine forward netted his 899th goal on Saturday against D.C. United in MLS regular season play, leading Mascherano to refer to him, once again, as “one of a kind.”
“We can hardly comprehend the magnitude of reaching 900 goals. It’s incredible for such a unique player. I often repeat myself: Leo’s statistics are remarkable, but ultimately, the real importance lies beyond the numbers,” said Mascherano.
“You can score numerous goals, but the significance comes from how you achieve them. Messi not only boasts incredible goal and assist records but also enhances the game, which is far more vital than any statistic.”
Currently, the only player ahead of Messi in career goals is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has achieved 965 throughout his career for both club and country. Ronaldo has consistently stated his desire to reach the milestone of 1,000 goals before retiring.
The second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 will take place on March 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.