Cincinnati v Inter Miami: Line-ups, stats and preview
Kick-off in Cincinnati's last home game was delayed by 56 minutes because of the weather
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Cincinnati v Inter Miami match preview
If Inter Miami are to fully capitalize on their games in hand following the 2025 Club World Cup, a run of two matches in 11 days against Cincinnati should test their credentials in their pursuit of a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield.
The Herons beat the form team in the division on Sunday with a 2-1 victory to end Nashville’s 15-match unbeaten run, and they now face opponents who came third in 2024 and were top of the table and on a four-match winning sequence before losing 4-2 at home to Columbus on Sunday.
Captain Lionel Messi extended the MLS record for scoring multiple times in consecutive games to five matches with two against Nashville, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to net in two encounters with Cincinnati, as well as missing both of Miami’s meetings with them last season because of injury and international fixtures.
“That is great motivation,” manager Javier Mascherano said, adding that he is “sure” Messi “already knows” about his record in the fixture.
“We all know Leo. In every game, he finds extra motivation… he loves a new challenge. He’s one of those players who, if that challenge isn’t there, he will invent one. That’s why he’s so great.”
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Cincinnati’s Matt Miazga said his side “kind of stopped being a cohesive unit” against Columbus, having moved 2-0 ahead inside the first six minutes.
“We were doing a lot of individual things and making individual mistakes, which happens,” reflected the former Chelsea and New York Red Bulls center-back.
“But if we can stick to the plan about being a cohesive unit, sticking together and not playing individually, then we’re a top team.”
Cincy start a point behind Philadelphia, who host bottom side Montreal, and one ahead of Nashville and Columbus, while Miami are five points off the summit with three extra games to play.
“The reality is that we’re playing one of – if not the – greatest players that ever played, so we have to be mindful of where he is and what he does,” Miazga said of Messi.
“At the same time, we’re playing at home. We have to focus on ourselves and push our game forward. If we do that, we’ll minimize them, and that’s the most important thing. That’s the focus.”
Cincinnati v Miami team news
Kevin Denkey will be unable to add to his 12 goals in 21 MLS appearances for Cincinnati this season because the Togo forward has a leg injury.
Yuya Kubo has suffered an ankle issue as part of an injury-strewn season, and fellow midfielder Obinna Nwobodo is out with a quad problem.
Defender Nick Hagglund has not featured since sustaining two broken ribs and a collapsed lung in a collision with Atlanta’s Emmanuel Latte Lath on May 25.
Former Slavia Prague and Viktoria Plzen midfielder Pavel Bucha scored Cincinnati’s fourth-fastest ever MLS goal with the opener inside the first minute against Columbus.
Ex-Brazil youth international Evander took his total to 13 in the league for the season, scoring in a fourth consecutive game to match the record streak for a Cincy player.
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With 16 goals each, only joint MLS top scorers Messi and Sam Surridge, of Nashville, have more in the 2025 division than Evander.
Midfielders Yannick Bright and David Ruiz remain on the comeback trail for Miami after returning to training following hamstring injuries.
Defender Gonzalo Lujan and Ecuador prospect Allen Obando are doubts with the same problem, which has also ruled out on-loan Racing Club de Avellaneda midfielder Baltasar Rodriguez.
Goalkeeper Drake Callendar is back in training after a hernia issue but defenders Ian Fray and Noah Allen are out with injuries sustained during the Club World Cup.
Bright and defender Maximiliano Falcon will be banned if they are booked.
Cincinnati v Inter Miami expected line-ups
Cincinnati starting XI: Celentano; Robinson, Miazga, Engel; Yedlin, Anunga, Evander, Bucha, Orellano; Kamara, Dem
Inter Miami starting XI: Ustari; Weigandt, Falcon, Aviles, Alba; Segovia, Busquets, Redondo, Allende; Messi, Suarez
How to watch Cincinnati v Miami: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 19:30 ET, with live coverage available in the US through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
A subscription costs $14.99 a month or $69 a season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $59 a season.
Cincinnati v Inter Miami stats
- In the last 6 FC Cincinnati home matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In the last 6 FC Cincinnati home matches in the Major League Soccer, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 7 of the last 8 FC Cincinnati matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 7 of the last 8 FC Cincinnati matches in the Major League Soccer, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- FC Cincinnati have won 3 of the last 4 matches and the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In the last 11 Inter Miami CF matches in the Major League Soccer, the sum of goals was over 2.5
- In 15 of the last 16 Inter Miami CF matches the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Inter Miami CF have won the last 5 matches in a row in the Major League Soccer and the sum of goals was over 2.5
- Inter Miami CF have won the last 5 matches in a row in the Major League Soccer while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In 8 of the last 10 Inter Miami CF away matches in the Major League Soccer, the sum of goals was over 2.5
Cincinnati v Miami prediction
Having dealt with Nashville and Surridge, Miami face one of the only players in comparable form to Messi in 27-year-old Evander.
The attacking midfielder has six goals and two assists in his last four games, taking his total goal contributions in this season’s MLS to 20.
It would be unsurprising if Cincinnati took the lead for a sixth successive game, but the availability of Messi this time should mean Miami avoid a repeat of their 6-1 defeat at TQL Stadium in 2024 and earn a 2-2 draw to keep their momentum rolling.