Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs: How The Crown Can Clinch This Weekend
Here's what needs to happen this weekend to make that a reality:
Now, The Crown finds themselves on the verge of their third consecutive MLS postseason appearance.
Charlotte FC have come a long way since the beginning of July. They moved all the way up from tenth place in the Eastern Conference to third place, largely on the back of an eight-match winning streak that spans all the way back to July 12.
A win on Saturday would both make history for The Crown and set it on the precipice of an MLS playoff spot.
In the two clubs' short histories, Inter Miami leads the overall series 4-2-2. The Crown's last win over Inter Miami came in 2023, when a 1-0 Decision Day victory secured Charlotte's first playoff berth in Club history.
The Crown's first loss of the season came in Fort Lauderdale at the hands of a Messi-less Inter Miami, where a Tadeo Allende goal was the difference in a 1-0 win for the Herons. That goal was assisted by Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez, who will not play on Saturday due to a league suspension that came after a post-match altercation in the League Cup final.
A win against Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Rodrigo De Paul, and Inter Miami CF would secure The Crown's ninth win in a row and etch them in the league's record books as tied for the longest league winning streak in the league's post-shootout era history.
To hold up their end of the bargain, all Charlotte FC needs to do is make history.
We've made history against them before. Tomorrow, let's do it again 👑 pic.twitter.com/hMTo3afDe8
What else needs to happen
If Charlotte FC are able to secure a win over Inter Miami on Saturday, The Crown and its faithful will have a late night to see if a playoff spot can be clinched.
Part one of the scenario involves a victory against the Herons, but The Crown will also need the New York Red Bulls to drop points on the road against the Portland Timbers.
This is the easier end of the scenario in terms of likelihood, as the Red Bulls are sputtering their way to the end of the season, having only won three of their last ten matches, which has them currently below the MLS playoff cut line.
