MLS playoffs are back in swing now that the International break is completed. And tonight in Cincinnati, FC Cincinnati host Inter Miami and international star, Lionel Messi, in a win or go home for the winter match!
Joseph Lowery from MLSsoccer.com
Miami
Miami’s 2025 has been one of success and injury. They made it to the FIFA Club sweet sixteen before a loss to PSG. They also lost in other team championships, CONCACAF Championship Cup and the League’s Cup. Maybe Miami needs to rebrand themselves as Inter Hamstring. The number of starters and reserves with hamstring injuries this year is staggering.
For today’s match, Miami will be missing Ryan Sailor and David Ruiz. Ruiz’s injury was most unfortunate for the club. But Messi’s Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are hoping for a magical end to their season. Both are retiring at the end of the MLS season and this could be an incredible finish for the trio.
For the Miami fans, an MLS championship would be a perfect way to open their new stadium in Spring of 2026, Miami Freedom Park.
Miami leads MLS in almost every offensive category. Messi has been the Messi of old with 10 goals in the past eight matches. As a team, they are first in goals scored (81) and first in assists (84).
But Miami struggles when playing in the Queen City. Over the past two years, they are 1-2-1 (W-L-D). But with so many story lines for Miami in this match and their solid form over the past ten matches, this, in Marty Brennanman’s words, is a “Titanic struggle” for FCC.
FCC
This weekend in Cincinnati has been one of the busiest ever. First was the epic Elder vs. St Xavier football game, attended by college football royalty like Brady Quinn and David Portnoy. Both were in town for the Fox Sports main event of BYU vs University of Cincinnati. The Bengals match up with the New England Patriots with maybe Joe Burrow under center. And then immediately following that game, FCC takes center stage!
Make no mistake. This match is internationally huge.
The entire FCC squad has had two weeks to prepare and soak in the press from national and international pundits. Evander, Cincy’s midfielder from Brazil, has struggled the past few matches as he is seeing two or three defenders flock to him consistently. But when asked this week about how Columbus guarded him with two to three bodies and how Miami tends to play differently than the Crew would he be more impactful in this series…Evander replied:
“I think I think the intensity is going to be a little different. Uh I think this game is important. The team who has the ball is going to be crucial. Um so you want to have the ball. You want to control the game in a good way. We know if they have the ball they going to be dangerous as well. So we want to control the ball in a good way…”
The Squad
FCC had a brief international scare as mid summer pick up, Enchenique, suffered what appeared to be a major injury playing for Venezuela this past week. FCC coach Pat Noonan said the injury is day-to-day (aren’t we all!) and he is a game time decision. Defender Matt Miazga is out, so Miles Robinson and his defenders will have their hands full. But earlier this week, Miles went so far to say, “When we are at our best, we are not losing!”
Midsummer signee, Brenner, rejoined his former club and his two goal performance in ending the Crew’s playoff hopes justified Chris Albright’s texting the young Brazilian earlier this Spring. Don’t be surprised to see his speed on the outside be a difference maker tonight.
My Take
FCC will need to limit Messi’s touches in or around the box. Cincinnati has outstanding speed on the outside and could stretch Miami and open easy chances. Cincy needs to defend crosses better. Miami loves to cross into the box.
Both goalies are strong for their clubs, but give the edge to the Cincinnati fans, who could help determine the outcome. I predict this will NOT go to a shoot out, but a late goal will be scored either late in the match or during stoppage time.
From Bill Petrello
FCC move on 3-2, with Luca Orellano scoring the winner for Cincinnati. And like they did in ending Darlingto Nagbe’s career with a loss, FCC will send Messi’s FC Barcelona teammates into retirement sad and winless!
How to watch/stream:
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium in West End.
Stream: Apple TV, MLS Season Pass.
Radio: Fox Sports 1360 and Spanish-language on La Mega 101.5 FM.
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