Javier Mascherano urged his Inter Miami players to adopt the memory of a goldfish after losing Game Two of their three-match playoff series with Nashville SC. 

Mascherano watched on as Miami were beaten 2-1 at GEODIS Park in Game Two, wiping out the advantage they had gained from their 3-1 triumph in Game 1. 

Goals in the first half from Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer were enough to ensure Lionel Messi's 89th minute proved just to be a consolation. 

The Herons have previously struggled at this stage of the playoffs, losing to Atlanta United across three games in 2024, and Mascherano wants his team to unleash their anger on Nashville at Chase Stadium. 

"Swallow the poison we feel, hold onto it, and let it build up all week so we can unleash it on Saturday at home with our fans. That's the message," Mascherano said.

"Today is a day to be closer than ever to the players, more united than ever, because I have great faith that we'll turn this around. 

"We need to hold onto all the anger we felt today when the game ended, let it fester, and above all, not let it out before then. Let it out when we have to let it out. 

"The rest is about playing. When the team plays, they're confident, they create chances, they dominate the opponent. After that, the result, I'm responsible.

"It's about the memory of a goldfish. That's how it is. Forget what happened today, try to improve what we need to improve, build on what we've done well."

Nashville will, however, come into this game with confidence having put Miami to the sword last time out, picking up their first win against them in all competitions this season. 

B.J. Callaghan's team were more than worthy of their win, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 2.13 from their 10 attempts to Miami's 1.81 from their 11 attempts. 

"That was a team that was committed to playing in an aggressive and intense way and was able to do it for a long period of time tonight," Callaghan said.

"That was a challenge that we put on ourselves and tonight was a good example of that."

But Callaghan was all too wary of the threat Messi would pose, having seen the Argentine score twice in Game 1, while also starring in Game 2 for Mascherano's men.

"It's our job to collectively work to stop it. That's the beauty of the game," Callaghan added on trying to limit Messi's impact.

"You're not ever thinking that you're going to eliminate him from the game totally, but you have to be able to neutralise some of the things that they're (elite players) trying to do."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi scored his 13th goal across all competitions against Nashville in Game 2, six more than he has scored against any other MLS club.

Indeed, Nashville are one of 23 club teams worldwide that Messi has scored at least 13 goals against in competitive matches in his career.

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge

Surridge converted his eighth penalty of 2025 in Game 2, surpassing Denis Bouanga for the most goals from the spot across all competitions this season.

His 31 goals across all competitions in 2025 rank third among MLS players behind only Messi (40) and Bouanga (32).  

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami has scored at least three goals in each of their last seven home matches across regular season and postseason play — the longest such streak in MLS history.

The Herons have scored 47 goals in their home MLS matches this season (regular season + playoffs), the most of any club.

Nashville did, however, end a 10-match winless run against Miami in Game 2. They have won consecutive meetings just once in the series (regular season matches in 2021 and 2023), with the September 2021 victory marking their only road win against the Herons.

Callaghan's team also beat Miami in Game 2 with just 39.4% possession. It was Nashville's fourth game this season (all competitions) with under 40% possession, and the club is unbeaten in those matches (W3 D1). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 57.6%

Draw – 22%

Nashville SC – 20.4%