Inter Miami vs Cincinnati 2-2: Suarez stunner, late Fillipi rescue and a quiet night for Messi
Three goals in the last ten minutes, a Messi booking and a race for second place. What happened at Nu Stadium and what Miami need on Sunday.
Inter Miami drew 2-2 with FC Cincinnati at Nu Stadium on Wednesday night, rescued by substitute Riquelme Fillipi’s equaliser in the 90th minute after Cincinnati scored twice in six minutes to turn the game around. Lionel Messi started but had one of his quieter nights, man-marked for long spells and booked just before half-time.
“Inter Miami vs Cincinnati” was one of the biggest Google searches in Pakistan overnight, with more than 5,000 searches, as fans here stayed up for the early-morning kick-off.
How the goals came
- 0-0 at half-time. Miami made two changes at the break, bringing on Telasco Segovia and Ian Fray.
- 61’ Luis Suarez (1-0). Casemiro found him and Suarez curled a shot into the top corner, in off the crossbar. It was the moment of the match.
- 80’ Kenji Mboma Dem (1-1). A run with stepovers, then a curling finish to the far post.
- 86’ Samuel Gidi (1-2). A strike from the edge of the box past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, set up by Tyler Barlow.
- 90’ Riquelme Fillipi (2-2). On for Germán Berterame, he met a Rodrigo De Paul cross and bent his shot through two defenders.
What about Messi?
Cincinnati put a man on him all night and it worked. Messi barely got a clean sight of goal; his best effort, in the second half, was blocked. He was shown a yellow card in the 44th minute after a tussle with Gidi, a booking some commentators questioned. Suarez and Segovia were also booked in stoppage time.
Some reports have suggested the booking could have consequences for the next game. MLS has not announced any suspension, so treat that as unconfirmed until the league’s disciplinary list comes out.
Why the draw hurts Miami
Miami went into the game level with New England Revolution on 55 points in the race for second place in the Eastern Conference. New England beat New York Red Bulls 3-2 on the same night, so Miami are now two points behind them. Nashville SC have already won the Supporters’ Shield.
That sets up Sunday’s game against New England as a straight fight for second seed: Miami need to avoid defeat to keep that hope alive. Cincinnati, meanwhile, are heading for the wild-card round with two games left.
Our take
The pattern is familiar for Miami this season: when Messi is shut down, the team needs Suarez or a substitute to find something, and the defence leaks late. Fillipi saved a point, but two goals conceded in six minutes is the bigger worry heading into the playoffs.
Next: Inter Miami vs New England Revolution on Sunday.
