Cincinnati vs Inter Miami – Mascherano is looking for more Messi Magic in the regular season of MLS

After he had a lead of two goals slipping against the Columbus crew in a 4-2 loss, FC Cincinnati wants to bounce back at home against Inter Miami on Wednesday evening.

Cincinnati (13-6-3, 42 points) dropped to second place in the Eastern Conference with his loss on Saturday evening, but it is only one point back from leader Philadelphia.

There is also good news for Cincinnati, where defender Nick Hagglund returns after missing the previous month and a half with broken ribs.

«He is back,» said FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan. «He has been there enough, even with his absence with the injury on the field, but he has been present and his energy, his leadership, has felt the entire period that he cannot be on the field with his teammates.»

A bright spot for Cincinnati on Saturday was All-Star midfielder Evander and scored his 13th goal of the regular season of the Major League Soccer (MLS). He is bound for the third in the competition in scored goals.

One of the two players with more is Miami and international superstar Lionel Messi, who has 16 goals in the regular season match.

Inter Miami (11-3-5, 38 points) flourished since Messi came to the side in the 2023 season and won the supporters’ Shield in 2024; It is currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Messi scored both goals in Miami in a 2-1 home victory against Nashville SC on Saturday evening, the fifth consecutive victory of the Herons in the regular season game. They have not lost a competition match since 18 May.

«There are not many words. It is incredible what he keeps doing,» said Miami coach Javier Mascherano. «To break great records every three days, I said it a thousand times today; he is the flag for our team. He is the one. He is the leader. He shows us the way to compete.»

Wednesday will be the first of two games in 11 days between Cincinnati and Miami, with the second before July 26 in South Florida.