Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati – News and Probable Lineups

Inter Miami will aim to prevent back-to-back defeats in the MLS regular season for the first time since 2023 as they prepare to face FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium this Wednesday.

The reigning MLS Cup champions have recently fallen to a 2-0 defeat against the New York Red Bulls, which places them in third position in the Eastern Conference, while FC Cincinnati sits in eighth following a 2-0 victory over DC United.

Match overview

Miami’s most favorable outcome by the end of the season could be a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference, but even this result and the opportunity to host a first-round playoff match are far from being guaranteed.

Kily Gonzalez’s squad will approach this match positioned below the New England Revolution on goal difference for second place, with a mere four-point gap separating them from the Chicago Fire in fourth.

Despite leading the league with 73 goals, Miami’s robust attack underperformed last Saturday, recording only a single shot on target, marking the end of Lionel Messi’s impressive streak of 14 consecutive matches with direct goal involvement, during which he played just over thirty minutes.

The Argentinian’s record for goals and caps will likely see him eager to find the net against Cincinnati, a team he has impressed against in prior encounters, registering seven goal contributions in the last two matchups between Inter Miami and the Orange and Blue.

While Miami has netted nine goals combined in their last two contests in Cincinnati, the Herons also remain unbeaten at home against FC Cincinnati in their previous two matches, without conceding a goal in either of those encounters in the Sunshine State.

Should they score nine goals in their remaining three fixtures before the playoffs, they would establish a new club record for most goals scored in a single season within this competition, surpassing last year’s total of 81.

Cincinnati has been consistently hovering just above or below the playoff cutoff throughout the season, but they have recently improved their position.

After back-to-back wins against DC United, they find themselves four points clear of the playoff line in the East, with only Orlando City placing ahead of them for a guaranteed playoff spot based on goal difference.

Pat Noonan’s team only needs to net a single goal in any of their last three regular-season games to set a record for the most goals in a single MLS season, surpassing the 64 goals they accumulated in 2022.

On Saturday, Cincinnati recorded their first clean sheet in this competition since April, and they will be aiming to achieve successive clean sheets away for the first time since July 2025.

The Orange and Blue have one of the highest goal averages per match in the league at 2.1 but have faced issues with discipline, having received the most red cards in the Eastern Conference (seven).

Cincinnati has managed to secure points in three of their last four away matches against Miami, with two shutouts in the last three such fixtures.

Team News

For Miami, Mateo Silvetti remains a doubt due to a shoulder injury, Tadeo Allende is still recovering from a knee problem, and Israel Boatwright is sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament.

Maximiliano Falcon is set to return from suspension after a yellow card, while Casemiro’s unfortunate early own goal contributed to their defeat in New Jersey on Saturday.

On Cincinnati’s side, Ender Echenique is questionable due to a leg injury, while Miles Robinson, Julian Malatini, and Tyrell Malacia are also doubtful with the same issue.

Evander netted the decisive goal on Saturday, becoming just the second player in MLS history to record three consecutive seasons with 15 or more assists, joining Messi in this elite group, while Tom Barlow scored the other goal, making him the third Cincinnati player to reach double digits in goals this season.

Inter Miami probable starting XI:

St. Clair; Lujan, Casemiro, Falcon, Reguilon; De Paul, Bright, Galarza; Messi, Suarez, Berterame

FC Cincinnati probable starting XI:

Celentano; Smith, Hagglund, Hadebe; Powell, Bucha, Evander, Nwobodo, Valenzuela; Barlow, Denkey

Although Cincinnati has secured only three away wins in MLS this season, their pressing need for points could drive them to a narrow victory over a Miami team that might currently be focusing more on the playoffs as the season progresses.