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
© Reuters
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.
© Reuters
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.
Team News
© Reuters
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.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
