FC Cincinnati drops Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium | Replay

FC Cincinnati hosts Inter Miami CF 7:30 p.m. July 16 at TQL Stadium. It is a highly anticipated matchup as the teams battle for position in the Eastern Conference table of Major League Soccer.

Fans are expecting to see Argentina legend Lionel Messi take the pitch at TQL Stadium for only the second time since he joined Inter Miami in July, 2023. The first time came in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup, when Miami eliminated Cincinnati in penalty kicks following a 3-3 draw.

FINAL: FC Cincinnati 3, Inter Miami CF 0

In a battle of two MVP candidates and top teams in Major League Soccer, FC Cincinnati defeated Inter Miami CF 3-0 July 16 at TQL Stadium.

Cincinnati handed Miami only its third shutout in MLS league play this season, and first in seven league games since Miami lost 3-0 to Orlando on May 18. In the process, they kept Lionel Messi from having dangerous opportunities close to the goal as he failed to score for the first time in seven MLS games. Messi had scored two goals in five-straight contests, a league record.

Cincinnati (14-6-3, 45 points), which lost 4-2 to Columbus on Saturday, improved its record to four wins and two draws this season after losing a game in MLS play.

"It's nice that we had such a quick turnaround so we could kind of just put the game in the past and focus on what we needed to do, and go out there and perform," said goalkeeper Roman Celentano. "I just think that shows the mental strength of the group, showing that we can bounce back from one of the toughest nights in this building in a long time and give our fans something to cheer about. So I was just happy with how everyone came into this week, got ready for this game, and didn't really overthink it, but took it very seriously, and just went out there and performed."

Head coach Pat Noonan was pleased with the team's resilience against the highest-scoring team in MLS.

"We played the game in a better way with the lead," Noonan said. "Was it perfect? No, there were tough moments when we had to defend, and we had to defend good movement, good one-v-one ability on the ball, and I thought our guys were up for it. Made a lot of big plays in the right moments, and scored some good goals. It's not easy to beat a team of that quality with the form that they're in and to score three and get a shutout, I'm very pleased about that."

Cincy stays one point behind Philadelphia for first place in the Eastern Conference after the Union (46 points, 14-5-4) defeated Montreal 2-1 July 16. Miami drops to 11-4-5 for 38 points, fifth in the East.

Nashville is third at 44 points after beating Columbus 3-0, with the Crew in fourth with 41 points.

The Orange and Blue next play at Real Salt Lake 9:30 p.m. July 19.

71st minute: Evander makes it 3-0, Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati now leads 3-0 in the 71st minute.

Evander poked in a rebound from close range after the keeper Rocco Rios-Novo could not grab a hard shot from the right side of the 18 by Luca Orellano.

It is Evander's second goal of the game and 15th of the year, two behind Nashville's Sam Surridge for league leadership and one behind Messi.

Evander made a statement in the MVP race tonight.

"It's always going to be tough when Messi's in the running, but Evander's unbelievable," Celentano said. "He's been producing more and more, and he's just looks like he's super comfortable out there and I hope he wins it. Who knows what's going to happen, and we're just happy to have Evander on our team."

60th minute: Still 2-0 as Miami gets some chances

Miami starting to get some more chances. Luis Suarez missed high on a volley from the middle of the 18, and Messi just missed wide left from more than 25 yards out.

Teenage Hadebe replaced Kei Kamara in a defense for offense switch with the two-goal lead.

50th minute: Evander puts Cincinnati up 2-0

Evander scored his 14th goal of the season to give FC Cincinnati a 2-0 lead.

The play developed as Pavel Bucha got the ball on the right side of the offensive zone with a lot of room to maneuver. He passed to Evander, who was in the middle of the field at the front of the penalty box, and Evander, with two defenders near him, beat backup keeper Rocco Rios-Novo inside the right post.

Evander has now scored a goal in five straight games for Cincinnati, a club record. Lucho Acosta and Brandon Vazquez had past streaks of four games in a row for the team.

Halftime: FC Cincinnati 1, Inter Miami CF 0

The Orange and Blue controlled the first half, although the visitors got a couple of decent opportunities late in the half. Lionel Messi got the ball in front of the goal from close range but could only get off an off-balance shot that was deflected wide as he was closely marked by Lukas Engel.

In the final minute of stoppage time, Messi fired a left-footed laser from 20 yards, but right at Roman Celentano.

Cincy had seven shots in the half to three for Miami.

Xavier's new head men's basketball coach Richard Pitino pulled the sword in the pregame ceremony.

33rd minute: Cincinnati 1, Miami 0

Miami has yet to have an official shot attempt as the game pauses for a hydration break and Messi has barely touched the ball.

Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has been replaced by Rocco Rios-Novo after suffering an injury in the 26th minute.

20th minute: Dado Valenzuela gives Cincinnati 1-0 lead

In the 17th minute of the play, Luca Orellano dribbled around a Miami defender and found Dado Valenzuela, who was on the right side of the box and went unmarked to the left side. He took a short pass from Orellano before beating the keeper Oscar Usteri, firing it past him inside the far post. It was Valenzuela's fifth goal of the year.

"We try to get Orellano in isolation as much as possible," Valenzuela said. "And I just saw the center back was far behind, so I ran in that space with a lot of space. I give credit to the coaching staff, that (we) do these drills in practice and that's a drill, honestly, that we've done, and it worked today."

Kevin Denkey missed the game due to injury

Kevin Denkey, Cincinnati's second-leading scorer, is out for at least two weeks with an injury suffered to his leg in the first half of the Columbus game.

""He hasn't been injured before," Noonan said. "I don't think he understood maybe what he had going on, so he tried to continue playing. I think you know, when I look back at the game, maybe there was hesitation or limitations there. So it's a lesson for us for Kévin moving forward,"

Without him, that's more opportunity for Valenzuela going forward.

"I don't try to think about, other players," Valenzuela said. "I just think about my opportunity, and when I get it, I try to make the most of it."

Orellano had one of his best offensive games of the season with his playmaking.

"It is important because I think he's had some good moments and tougher moments," Noonan said. "For Luca, it's not pushing too hard to try to impact the game. Let the game come to you at the right moment. It's not forcing the issue. And when he's patient, and when he plays the game in a simple way, he has a big impact almost always. And that's, I think, where maybe some of the struggle was, is trying to too hard, too often, and then and when it doesn't work out, then the frustration can build. So tonight he was simple, and he was rewarded, and our team was rewarded."

15th minute: FC Cincinnati 0, Inter Miami 0 as Cincy keeps Messi from getting the ball

In the second minute of play, Kei Kamara missed wide from 18 yards after collecting the ball in transition off a turnover. In the 13th minute. Evander had a shot from the front of the 18 saved by Oscar Ustari.

Cincinnati has been patiently working the ball on Miami’s end of the pitch and has three shots to zero for the Herons.

Lionel Messi has only had the ball once for an extended period at midfield.

Lionel Messi will start against FC Cincinnati tonight

Lionel Messi will start against Cincinnati with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Tadeo Allende, Telasco Segovia, Benjamin Cremaschi, Jordi Alba, Tomas Aviles, Maxi Falcon, Marcelo Weigandt and Oscar Ustari in goal.

Cincinnati, without second-leading scorer Kevin Denkey, who took a minor injury Saturday, will start Dado Valenzuela and Kei Kamara up top. Evander is in the midfield with Pavel Bucha and Tah Brian Anunga, and Roman Celentano in goal.

Manning the backline are Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson and Lukas Engel. Luca Orellano and DeAndre Yedlin will play the wings.

Nick Hagglund is an available substitute, his first time suiting up since fracturing ribs May 25 at Atlanta.

There was some speculation whether Messi would actually play because it is Miami’s eighth match in the last 33 days, and fourth MLS game in the past 15. Messi, 38, has played the full 90-plus minutes in the past seven matches, including all four games Miami played in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said Saturday night that Messi will likely sit out a game at some point soon due to the team’s compressed schedule. However, Messi made the trip to Cincinnati, and Mascherano noted on Tuesday that Messi could have extra motivation because he has not scored a goal against Cincinnati.

Lionel Messi 2025 MLS stats

Messi is tied for the MLS lead in goals scored with 16, tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge. He has 10 goals in his last five games, setting a league record for consecutive matches with multiple goals. Cincinnati’s Evander is tied for third in MLS with 13 goals entering the match.

Ticket prices for FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami CF

Tickets on the secondary market at SeatGeek are all in triple digits. Tickets in The Bailey are $133 and up, and club seats over $300.

Inter Miami CF 2025 record

Miami enters the game with a record of 11-3-5 in Major League Soccer. Miami has won five in a row in league play and is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, albeit playing three fewer games than Cincinnati and the other teams in the top four in the conference.

FC Cincinnati 2025 record

Cincinnati is 13-6-3, good for 42 points and second place in the East, one point behind Philadephia Union. Nashville and Columbus are tied for third with 41 points.

It is another busy and important night in MLS, with 14 matches being played. Columbus and Nashville meet at 8:30 p.m. in Tennessee, while Philly hosts last-place Montreal (15 points) at 7:30 p.m.