Miami feels overdue for a home victory

Inter Miami is playing at home for the first time in four weeks on Saturday night, and the team is highly motivated to beat Minnesota United after a three-week FIFA international break and a road loss to Atlanta United.

The last time the men in pink played at DRV PNK Stadium, they knocked off the Portland Timbers 2-1 and climbed to seventh place in the Eastern Conference. But the loss to Atlanta dropped them to 10th place.

Minnesota is in a similar spot, below the playoff line in the Western Conference.

Both teams have struggled to score, so fans should not expect a high-scoring game unless the defenses crumble. Miami (5-7-3) is third-worst in

MLS in goals per game with 15 goals through 15 games. Minnesota (also 5-7-3) isn’t much better with 16 goals. The teams have never played each other.

“We’re still disappointed from the game last week,” coach Phil Neville said of the 2-0 loss to Atlanta. “The sending off [of Jean Mota] and that feeling of losing after having three weeks without a game, I’ve sensed the players are really focused this week. We feel as if our home form has been our strength.”

Miami should have a home advantage with the warm, humid weather, but temperatures reached high 90s in Minneapolis this week, so the Loons got a taste of what to expect in Fort Lauderdale.

“We’re in the marathon now

With the FIFA international break over, Inter Miami is playing at home for the first time in a month. The match looks to be an even one with both sides trying to get into playoff position.