Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF
Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs | Round One
Friday, October 24, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. CT
Chase Stadium | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Broadcast Details
Watch | Apple TV
Listen | 104.5 The Zone
Just six days after meeting in the MLS regular-season finale at GEODIS Park, Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF are set to square off again Friday, this time to begin a best-of-three series in Round One of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. The sixth-seeded Boys in Gold are in search of their first postseason win since 2023 against the third-seeded Herons, themselves looking to respond from a shock first-round exit last year.
Key Storylines
Leaning on Experience
Much of Nashville’s success in 2025, which set a record for both goals scored and points accrued, has come down to breakout seasons for its next generation of stars. Among them: Patrick Yazbek and Eddi Tagseth maturing into a dynamic midfield duo and Brian Schwake playing an instrumental role in net during Nashville’s U.S. Open Cup trophy run, alongside flashes by each of Ahmed Qasem, Jonathan Pérez, Chris Applewhite and Matthew Corcoran. But as the Boys in Gold eye to make further history in the MLS Cup Playoffs, it’s their veterans that will likely continue to lead the way.
Club mainstays Walker Zimmerman, Joe Willis and Dan Lovitz, who have been with Nashville since its inaugural season, have played in each of the team’s eight total playoff games. Offseason acquisitions Andy Najar and Gaston Brugman, the third-most productive defender and reigning MLS Cup MVP, respectively, offer steady heads and proven postseason pedigree. And, of course, there’s Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar, the most prolific tandem in MLS with 40 goals between them.
Nashville and Miami, itself serving a smorgasbord of veteran all-stars, are both teams that have gone as their veterans go this season. Should the Boys in Gold seize a win in South Florida, their load of experience is what’s likely to lead the way.
A Budding Rivalry
Friday’s match in Fort Lauderdale is the second of a potential four straight meetings between Nashville and Miami, should the Round One series go to a decisive game three. Since joining MLS in 2020, only Orlando has played Nashville more times (17) than Miami (16), a record that will be broken this postseason regardless of Friday’s result.
The Boys in Gold and Herons have shared many memorable results throughout their histories in MLS, none better for the Music City side than its 3-0 victory in its first-ever playoff match in November 2020. Even if in the grand scheme of things Nashville and Miami’s competitive relationship is short, Friday’s playoff opener is an enticing opportunity for both teams to secure a one-up in this budding rivalry.
Taking Home-Field Advantage
Nashville’s season has been remarkable in many respects, few more so than the dominant form the club has shown at home. The Boys in Gold secured a club-record 11 wins at GEODIS Park in 2025, contributing to 16 total regular-season victories and a sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. For all its success in Music City, however, Nashville has struggled on the road, winning five of its 17 away bouts.
If Nashville hopes to advance to the conference semifinals, it will need at least one win away from home, a feat it has not achieved in Fort Lauderdale since May 2023. A victory Friday would give the Boys in Gold a vital chance to clinch the series at GEODIS Park, a 2025 fortress befitting its “The Castle” nickname.
Series History + What’s Next
Following Nashville’s 5-2 defeat to Miami on Decision Day, the all-time record between the two clubs now sits at 4-7-5 in favor of the South Florida club. Irrespective of who takes Friday’s match, the teams will play a potentially decisive game two at GEODIS Park at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 1, with a return trip to Chase Stadium scheduled for Nov. 8 should the series sit at 1-1.
Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Round 1 - vs. Inter Miami CF
Saturday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m. CT at GEODIS Park
Match 2, Round 1
