Inter Miami’s Wednesday evening clash with FC Cincinnati ended in a disappointing 3-0 loss, marking a difficult outing for Lionel Messi and his teammates. Despite rumors swirling in the afternoon that Messi’s close friend Rodrigo De Paul might be joining Miami soon, the Herons couldn’t capitalize on their newfound optimism when it came time to take the field.
The game, held in Cincinnati, saw Messi struggle to make his usual impact. For the first time in seven games, Messi was held scoreless, having netted 11 goals in the previous six. He came close on a few occasions, including a blocked shot and a curled effort from outside the box, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Miami simply couldn’t find their rhythm, and Cincinnati made the most of their opportunities.
The first goal came early, as Miami’s defense faltered under pressure. Luca Orellano played a ball through to Gerardo Valenzuela, who finished confidently to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. Miami’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again in the second half. A powerful run from Cincinnati’s Evander, who shrugged off Sergio Busquets, resulted in a second goal for the hosts. The match was effectively sealed in the 70th minute when Evander scored his second goal, capitalizing on a rebound after backup goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo failed to clear the ball properly.
This loss marked a major setback for Inter Miami, who had been building momentum with recent improvements. The defeat in Cincinnati highlighted areas in need of attention, particularly on the defensive end. As Miami heads into their next match against the New York Red Bulls this weekend, they’ll be eager to bounce back and put this tough night behind them. The team will look to regroup and improve after a challenging evening in Ohio.
The clash between Cincinnati vs Inter Miami will be remembered as a reminder that even the brightest moments in Miami’s season can’t always prevent a tough defeat.
In other news, Liverpool kicks off their pre-season with a 3-1 win over Preston, paying an emotional tribute. For more on the match, read our full coverage
