Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano has urged his side to "improve in all aspects" as they host Seattle Sounders in MLS on Tuesday – a rematch of last month's Leagues Cup final, where Seattle ran out 3-0 winners.

Miami suffered a 3-0 loss at Charlotte FC over the weekend, with Lionel Messi missing a first-half penalty, before Tomas Aviles reduced the Herons to 10 men after seeing red in the 79th minute.

Dropping to eighth place in the Eastern Conference, Miami have won just one of their last three MLS games, but have as many as four matches in hand on the teams above them.

Mascherano's side are just one point behind New York City FC for an automatic first-round playoff spot, having gone unbeaten in their last nine home matches at Chase Stadium; winning their final five regular-season home games would set a new club record for MLS home victories, surpassing their total of 11 last year.

"We can't be unfair and cling to the penalty; if there's someone who helped us win in the season, it's been Leo," Mascherano said, while reflecting on his side's defeat last time out.

"The team showed attitude and tried. It wasn't one of our best nights; they hit us at the right moments, and we couldn't turn it around.

"We need to improve in all aspects. Above all, understand that a match lasts 90 minutes, and we must not go crazy. There is always time to turn it around."

Meanwhile, Seattle have lost only once in 16 matches since returning from the Club World Cup – a 1-0 loss at Minnesota United in August, but were held to a 2-2 draw last time out against LA Galaxy, despite going 2-0 up in the first half.

Currently unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, Seattle have collected points in 13 of their last 15 MLS matches. Under Brian Schmetzer, the Sounders have earned nine points this season when conceding first, though only two of those were on the road.

Seattle, who sit fourth in the Western Conference, need to secure four wins and a draw in their remaining six fixtures to beat last season's 57-point tally. Winning five of their last six would push them past 60 points for just the fourth time in MLS history.

"Miami are a proud team, those players have played at the highest levels," Schmetzer said.

"As far as rotation is concerned, we will see the best team out there. They [Miami and Austin FC] are going to be two challenging road games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

After his missed penalty last weekend, Messi will be looking to make amends with a defiant response here.

The Argentina international has registered 30 goal involvements (19 goals and 11 assists) in MLS so far this season, ranking second for goal contributions behind Anders Dreyer (31, 14 goals and 17 assists), though Messi has played in 10 fewer games.

Seattle Sounders – Danny Musovski

Danny Musovski contributed a goal and an assist in Seattle's 2-2 draw with LA Galaxy on Saturday. Since July 19, Musovski has played a part in 10 of the Sounders' last 17 regular-season goals, scoring eight and providing two assists, including involvement in five of the team's last six goals.

The former Los Angeles FC forward has 17 goal involvements (14 goals and three assists) in MLS this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

This will be the third meeting between Miami and Seattle across all competitions, but it will be the first time the Herons will host the Sounders at Chase Stadium.

The Herons recently suffered their second consecutive 3-0 defeat, losing to Charlotte FC on Saturday after the heavy loss to Seattle in the Leagues Cup Final. Remarkably, this marks the first time in Messi's career that he has experienced back-to-back club defeats by three or more goals.

Miami’s only two regular-season home losses came when they conceded first, and they have not won an MLS game after conceding the opening goal since the final day of the 2024 season when they beat New England Revolution 6-2.

Since returning from the Club World Cup, Seattle have been in a rich vein of form, losing only once in 16 matches, with a record of 10 wins and five draws, including an unbeaten streak of five games (three wins and two draws).

The Sounders are also unbeaten in their last nine matches against Eastern Conference teams across all competitions, boasting six wins and three draws in those fixtures.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 48.1%

Draw – 25.9%

Seattle Sounders – 25.9%