Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Cincinnativs.Inter Miami

sportsmole.co.uk, 4 July 2024, 08:16
A first-place showdown in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer will see FC Cincinnati host Inter Miami on Saturday at TQL Stadium.

Thanks to a narrow 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC, the Herons remain above Cincy by two points in the Supporters' Shield standings, with the latter claiming a 3-2 triumph over DC United.

Match preview

All season long, Cincinnati have been right on the tail of Inter Miami, and this weekend, they have a chance to finally overtake them in the table.

Pat Noonan's men have won four of their previous five league contests, giving them 45 points after 21 games, equalling their mark from their Supporters' Shield season in 2023.

While the Orange and Blue have been tremendous on the road, winning nine times, they have struggled with consistency at home, losing two of their previous three regular-season contests at TQL Stadium.

Cincy have won 12 domestic encounters this season by a single goal, though they have also suffered three defeats by that same margin, one more than a year ago.

After posting three clean sheets in their opening four MLS games, this team have conceded seven goals in their previous three domestic fixtures played in Cincinnati.

They have not lost against the Herons in normal time in any of their previous five meetings, winning this exact fixture last season 1-0.

It is rarely decisive, but Miami continuously find ways to win, holding on to a fourth successive 2-1 triumph earlier this week.

Tata Martino's side have points in 15 of their previous 16 regular-season encounters, with their only defeat over that stretch coming against Atlanta United in May (3-1).

Five times domestically this season, Inter Miami have scored in the final five minutes of the second half or later to claim a win or draw.

Their 50 goals scored in MLS this year are not only the most in the league, but it is more than they have ever managed in a single regular season.

On Saturday, they can claim a 15th league victory, which would set a new single-season club record for the most ever, surpassing the mark from 2022 (14).

Miami have not defeated the Orange and Blue in normal time at TQL Stadium since 2021, though they won their previous visit to Cincinnati in thrilling fashion at the 2023 Leagues Cup semi-finals, 8-7 on penalties after that match ended in a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes.

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

L

W

W

L

W

W

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

L

D

W

W

W

W

Team News

Malik Pinto and Nick Hagglund were unavailable for FC Cincinnati in midweek, as they are nursing an ankle and leg injury, respectively.

Corey Baird missed the previous Orange and Blue match with a sore hip, while Matt Miazga is out for the season because of a severe leg injury.

Pavel Bucha collected a brace in their match on Wednesday, including the winner in the second half, and Kevin Kelsy netted his fifth of the campaign.

Marcelo Weigandt will be questionable for Miami due to a hamstring strain, while Nicolas Freire and Facundo Farias are dealing with ACL injuries.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will miss their match this weekend as Argentina and Uruguay are in the quarter-finals of the Copa America, though Matias Rojas should be available after Paraguay were eliminated from that competition in the group stage.

Robert Taylor scored his fourth of the MLS campaign on Wednesday, with the winner coming courtesy of Benjamin Cremaschi four minutes from the end, his third of the year.

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Celentano; Keller, Robinson, Murphy; Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha, Yedlin; Acosta; Kelsy, Santos

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Alba; Busquets; Gressel, Cremaschi, Rojas, Taylor; Campana

We say: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Inter Miami

Inter Miami have proven they can win without Messi or Suarez but have not faced a side with as much overall talent as the Orange and Blue.

Having a decisive difference-maker in Luciano Acosta available this weekend could give Cincinnati an edge against Miami in the race for first overall.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly already decided whether they intend to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Bruno Fernandes has insisted that Roy Keane's criticism is a source of motivation for the Manchester United captain. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly likely to increase the asking price of Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Jadon Sancho could still end up back at Manchester United next season as the winger faces criticism over his Chelsea spell. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk India and Maldives will play out an international friendly at the Polo Ground in Shillong on Wednesday ahead of the start of their Asian Cup qualifying campaigns next week. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Do not be fooled by Lionel Messi's small frame and footballing charm. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has withdrawn from international duty with Norway. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's Champions League and EFL Cup final heartache should not precede a Premier League title collapse, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has exclusively told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez and midfielder Marc Casado picked up injuries in Sunday's 4-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Michail Antonio has opened up on how he has reacted to his near-death car crash. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Tottenham have a list of potential replacements for if they decide to part company with Ange Postecoglou, talkSPORT understands. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero as one of three centre-back targets. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle fans deserve their moment of glory with the Carabao Cup, but there may be excessive sentimental celebration attached to it. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vietnam and Cambodia are set to face off at the Go Dau Stadium on Wednesday afternoon in an international friendly match. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Chris Wilder was caught on camera mocking Sheffield Wednesday during his post-match derby celebrations. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel will take charge of his first game as England manager this Friday as the Three Lions take on Albania, live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Former United States soccer star Alexi Lalas has highlighted a potential issue with the US Men's National Team. 17 March 2025 talksport.com England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first game on Friday night, but he won't be singing the national anthem. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Gennaro Gattuso was involved in a furious spat with a pundit live on Croatian TV after Hajduk Split's latest defeat. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Tottenham have one last opportunity to lift their first trophy in 16 years this season as a host of ex-stars continue to claim silverware. 17 March 2025 talksport.com It's all to play for in the hunt for Champions League football. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A fan's three-word verbal jab sparked a heated confrontation with Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United and AC Milan are reportedly among the clubs who are circling for one of Burnley's star defenders. 17 March 2025 talksport.com It's advantage Lionel Messi in his personal battle with Brad Guzan. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly identified a key Arsenal defender as a potential summer transfer target. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly learned how much they would have to pay to get a deal for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga over the line. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Thomas Tuchel has added Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White to his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Emma Saunders was left touched after an emotional tribute from fans of Lens.