KLIK SAJA – Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati will face off once again for the second time in less than two weeks, with the home team determined to avenge their previous loss.
FC Cincinnati handed Lionel Messi’s team a heavy 3-0 defeat on July 17 and currently sit at the top of the MLS standings, seven points ahead of fifth-place Inter Miami, who have three games in hand.
In their most recent encounter, Gerardo Valenzuela opened the scoring before Evander struck twice in the second half, leaving Inter Miami stunned and ending their six-match unbeaten run in the league.
The defeat also broke their five-game winning streak in MLS.
However, Inter Miami responded emphatically by thrashing the New York Red Bulls 5-1 in their next outing, with Messi recording his sixth brace in just seven league appearances.
After participating in the Club World Cup — where they advanced from the group stage before falling 4-0 to PSG in the Round of 16 — Inter Miami have played only 21 MLS matches so far.
That leaves them with three games in hand over the four teams above them in the Eastern Conference, where they currently sit fifth with 41 points.
Javier Mascherano’s squad is now aiming to build another winning streak and capitalize on those games in hand to climb back to the top of the table.
Although Inter Miami have only managed one win in their last eight meetings with FC Cincinnati — losing five, including three of the last four — that sole victory came at home, which could offer some encouragement.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati are targeting a third consecutive win after following their victory over Miami with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Real Salt Lake, thanks to an 87th-minute goal by substitute Luca Orellano.
That back-to-back success has propelled them to the top of both the Eastern Conference and the overall MLS standings with 48 points from 24 matches.
Still, they remain wary of the threat posed by Inter Miami and are eager to widen the gap.
The team nicknamed "The Orange and Blue" have won six of their last seven league matches, with their only blemish being a 4-2 defeat to Columbus Crew.
On the road, Cincinnati are on a four-game winning streak, though their away record in Miami is less impressive — just one win and three losses from their last five visits.
Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba missed the MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX and could face suspension for this match if the club fails to submit official medical reasons for their absence.
