CINCINNATI, OH – Inter Miami CF fell 3-0 on the road against FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Inter Miami took the pitch with Óscar Ustari in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Maximiliano Falcón, Tomás Avilés, and Jordi Alba made up the back four; Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi started in midfield, being flanked by Tadeo Allende and Telasco Segovia; captain Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez led the team’s attack.
Notably, defender Gonzalo Luján and midfielders Yannick Bright and David Ruiz returned to a matchday squad for the first time since recovering from their respective injuries.
Goalkeeper Ustari had an early key intervention in the second minute, with a big save to deny an attempt from Cincinnati forward Kei Kamara from the right end of the box.
The hosts then took the lead in the 16th minute, with Gerardo Valenzuela scoring for Cincinnati.
Inter Miami was forced to make an early substitution in the 25th minute, with Rocco Ríos Novo coming on to replace Ustari.
Messi had the closest chance for the visitors in the first half in the sixth minute of added time, but his left-footed shot from the top of the box was saved by Cincinnati’s goalkeeper.
FC Cincinnati extended its lead with goals from midfielder Evander in the 50th and 70th minutes for the final 3-0 result.
The loss brings to an end Inter Miami’s six-match unbeaten run in MLS play, which saw the team claim five wins and a draw along the way.
Next, Inter Miami will continue its road trip and close out the week visiting the New York Red Bulls this Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
Scoring Summary:
CIN – Gerardo Valenzuela (Luca Orellano) 16’, Evander 50’, Evander 70’
Misconduct:
CIN – Teenage Hadebe (Yellow Card 81’)
Lineups / Substitutions:
FC Cincinnati – GK Roman Caletano; D Matt Miazga, Lukas Engel (Brad Smith 85’), Miles Robinson; M DeAndre Yedlin (Alvas Powell 85’), Pavel Bucha, Tah Brian Anunga, Evander, Luca Orellano (Corey Baird 77’); F Kei Kamara (Teenage Hadebe 62’), Gerardo Valenzuela (Sergio Santos 77’)
Unused Substitutes – GK Evan Louro; D Gilberto Flores, Nick Hagglund; F Kenji Mboma Dem
Inter Miami CF – GK Óscar Ustari (Rocco Ríos Novo 25’); D Marcelo Weigandt (Yannick Bright 86’), Maximiliano Falcón (Gonzalo Luján 72’), Tomás Avilés, Jordi Alba; M Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi; Tadeo Allende (Fafa Picault 72’), Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende; F Lionel Messi ©, Luis Suárez
Unused Substitutes – GK William Yarbrough; D Ryan Sailor; M Santiago Morales, David Ruiz; F Leo Afonso
Stats:
Possession:
CIN – 45.82%
MIA – 54.18%
Shots:
CIN – 11
MIA – 10
Saves:
CIN – 2
MIA – 4
Corners:
CIN – 1
MIA – 4
Fouls:
CIN – 6
MIA – 9
Photos/InterMiamiCF
