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Preview: Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati in Conference Semi

Preview: Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati in Conference Semi

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Inter Miami’s quest for a coveted MLS Cup continues in Ohio this weekend, where they travel to face Eastern Conference regular season runners-up FC Cincinnati.

By James Nalton

Were the regular season tables sorted on goal difference, Inter Miami would have hosted this game in Fort Lauderdale, but MLS uses wins before goal difference in its tiebreakers, and Cincinnati had one more victory.

Those narrow margins separating the two in the league table are also an indication that this will not be an easy game for Javier Mascherano’s side.

Messi returns to the scene of semifinal heroics

Inter Miami don’t have the best head-to-head record against Sunday’s opposition in recent years.

They have only defeated FC Cincinnati once in five games in MLS play since the arrival of Messi, Luis Suárez, et al — a 2-0 win at home in August 2024, which was a game Messi missed through injury.

Messi himself has never tasted victory in MLS against the team from Ohio, but he does have a memorable moment against them in knockout competition, which could bode well for Sunday.

Back in 2023, before MLS started to controversially exclude its top teams from the nation’s domestic cup competition, Messi inspired Inter Miami to a comeback against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal.

Recent H2H record at Cincinnati

It remains one of the highlights of Messi’s time in US soccer to date, as two brilliant assists brought his team back from 2-0 down before they triumphed on penalties with Messi himself scoring the opening spot kick.

He’ll be looking to do the same in this conference semifinal, but will be hoping that it’s more straightforward and that no dramatic comeback is required on this occasion.

The Suárez conundrum

With Suárez back from suspension, he will likely be in the starting lineup alongside Messi, but some Inter Miami fans are beginning to suggest that the team might be stronger without him in the XI.

The Uruguayan’s output has still been good in 2025, as he scored ten goals and made ten assists in the regular season, though it is down on last season’s impressive return of 20 goals in 27 games.

The convincing 4-0 win in game three of the first round best-of-three against Nashville came with Suárez suspended for violent conduct in the previous game.

Such performances in his absence, where younger players come in in his stead, inevitably lead to suggestions that the additional energy gives Miami a better chance.

Suárez, however, retains the intelligence that saw him become one of the top strikers in the world, if not the physical attributes, and Messi would likely prefer him in the team than out of it.

Opposition watch: FC Cincinnati and Evander

In any other year, the performance of Cincinnati’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander would be considered an all-timer.

His 32 goals and assists combined in the 2025 regular season would have put him sixth on the league’s all-time list for this statistic, but this year saw several remarkable performances in this regard.

Messi recorded the most ever with 45 (per the global definition for assists — MLS includes some second assists, which puts Carlos Vela’s 2019 season top), while the league’s 2025 Newcomer of the Year, Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC, finished the regular season with 36.

This puts Evander eighth on the all-time list for this stat, but this kind of output nevertheless shows that Cincinnati themselves have a potential MLS all-timer on their hands, if he can maintain such a level.

Knocking Inter Miami and Messi out of the playoffs at home in Ohio would certainly contribute to that.

Prediction

With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retiring at the end of this season, Inter Miami need to win if they’re to give them the sendoff expected of the club, which is an MLS Cup win. With so much on the line, these experienced Miami stars should get the job done, but it won’t be easy.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every MLS game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati in Conference Semi

Inter Miami’s quest for a coveted MLS Cup continues in Ohio this weekend, where they travel to face Eastern Conference regular season runners-up FC Cincinnati.

By James Nalton

Were the regular season tables sorted on goal difference, Inter Miami would have hosted this game in Fort Lauderdale, but MLS uses wins before goal difference in its tiebreakers, and Cincinnati had one more victory.

Those narrow margins separating the two in the league table are also an indication that this will not be an easy game for Javier Mascherano’s side.

Messi returns to the scene of semifinal heroics

Inter Miami don’t have the best head-to-head record against Sunday’s opposition in recent years.

They have only defeated FC Cincinnati once in five games in MLS play since the arrival of Messi, Luis Suárez, et al — a 2-0 win at home in August 2024, which was a game Messi missed through injury.

Messi himself has never tasted victory in MLS against the team from Ohio, but he does have a memorable moment against them in knockout competition, which could bode well for Sunday.

Back in 2023, before MLS started to controversially exclude its top teams from the nation’s domestic cup competition, Messi inspired Inter Miami to a comeback against FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal.

Recent H2H record at Cincinnati

It remains one of the highlights of Messi’s time in US soccer to date, as two brilliant assists brought his team back from 2-0 down before they triumphed on penalties with Messi himself scoring the opening spot kick.

He’ll be looking to do the same in this conference semifinal, but will be hoping that it’s more straightforward and that no dramatic comeback is required on this occasion.

The Suárez conundrum

With Suárez back from suspension, he will likely be in the starting lineup alongside Messi, but some Inter Miami fans are beginning to suggest that the team might be stronger without him in the XI.

The Uruguayan’s output has still been good in 2025, as he scored ten goals and made ten assists in the regular season, though it is down on last season’s impressive return of 20 goals in 27 games.

The convincing 4-0 win in game three of the first round best-of-three against Nashville came with Suárez suspended for violent conduct in the previous game.

Such performances in his absence, where younger players come in in his stead, inevitably lead to suggestions that the additional energy gives Miami a better chance.

Suárez, however, retains the intelligence that saw him become one of the top strikers in the world, if not the physical attributes, and Messi would likely prefer him in the team than out of it.

Opposition watch: FC Cincinnati and Evander

In any other year, the performance of Cincinnati’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander would be considered an all-timer.

His 32 goals and assists combined in the 2025 regular season would have put him sixth on the league’s all-time list for this statistic, but this year saw several remarkable performances in this regard.

Messi recorded the most ever with 45 (per the global definition for assists — MLS includes some second assists, which puts Carlos Vela’s 2019 season top), while the league’s 2025 Newcomer of the Year, Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC, finished the regular season with 36.

This puts Evander eighth on the all-time list for this stat, but this kind of output nevertheless shows that Cincinnati themselves have a potential MLS all-timer on their hands, if he can maintain such a level.

Knocking Inter Miami and Messi out of the playoffs at home in Ohio would certainly contribute to that.

Prediction

With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retiring at the end of this season, Inter Miami need to win if they’re to give them the sendoff expected of the club, which is an MLS Cup win. With so much on the line, these experienced Miami stars should get the job done, but it won’t be easy.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every MLS game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.