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Inter Miami have inched their way toward clinching the MLS Supporters’ Shield when they’d rather have sprinted, but they will have the opportunity again to stake their claim as the best team in the regular season when they play at the Columbus Crew on Wednesday.

A win over the Crew (16-5-9, 57 points) would give Miami its first Supporters’ Shield.

The Herons (19-4-8, 65 points) have a seven-point lead over the Los Angeles Galaxy in the overall standings with each having three matches left. The Crew have four remaining and a victory against Miami would pull them within five points.

It’s still a longshot to overtake the Herons, but at least there would be a chance.

“We still have something to play for,” Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. “The idea is to be limitless and to go all in, and we’ll see after that. We’re going to play Miami the next game. We’ll see how we’re going to be able to play and to perform.”

Miami has three consecutive ties following a five-match winning streak.

“We’re still at the top, still leading, in first place,” Miami defender Jordi Alba said. “And that’s what’s important. It’s true that we’ve had opportunities to already clinch the league. … Hopefully, on Wednesday, against Columbus, we can win and seal the league title.”

Inter Miami is also chasing the league record for points in a season set by New England. They must defeat the Crew, Toronto FC and New England to surpass the Revolution’s 73 points in 2021.

Lionel Messi is expected to play against the Crew for the first time. The regular-season series was over before he signed in July 2023. This season, he was with Argentina for Copa America when Inter Miami downed the Crew 2-1 on June 19.

An ankle injury prevented him from playing in Miami’s 3-2 loss to the Crew in the CONCACAF Leagues Cup as well as the MLS All-Star Game in Columbus on July 24.

He has 15 goals in 16 MLS matches this season.

–Field Level Media