Predict the result of the FC Cincinnati vs Lionel Messi Inter Miami match
FC Cincinnati’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semi-finals are finally here, but they’ve taken on new meaning since the last time the FCC played in the competition.
Cincinnati had been waiting for this match ever since they reached the semi-finals on June 6. The FCC’s quarter-final victory was an impressive one, and the club was considered the favorite to win the Open Cup at that point. That sentiment was only reinforced after Cincinnati was drawn to face Inter Miami at TQL Stadium in the penultimate round of the tournament.
But that was before Inter Miami recharged during this summer’s minor transfer window, adding superstar Lionel Messi, along with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – both decorated and celebrated players respectively.
Eyes of the World in Cincinnati: Lionel Messi comes to the stadium TQL
It took just seven matches during the now-defunct League Cup for Messi to lead Miami to a thrilling championship victory, and Miami’s eyes are now on the Open Cup.
This Open Cup run would likely be the Cincinnati club’s most legitimate tournament run in club history. It wasn’t long until some thought this was a foregone conclusion that the FCC could win the title. Now, those notions are being challenged by Miami and Messi, who many consider to be the greatest player the game has ever seen.
What you need to know about Miami
The Inter Miami 2023 season is a story of two chapters: before Messi and after Messi.
Before Messi, Miami was the worst team in the American League. The club dug itself a deep hole in the standings, 14 points behind the ninth and final place in the MLS Cup playoffs in the Eastern Conference. They also boast a goal difference of -14 – the second-worst in the MLS.
Possibly because they faced lower league teams in three of their four Open Cup matches, Miami quietly advanced to the semi-finals of the competition. No matter how far it has progressed, the club has found shelter and positivity in the Open Cup during a bleak 2023 campaign.
While the club’s Open Cup roster might have had a softer touch, there is nothing soft about Miami right now.
After Messi, Miami seems unstoppable. The club scored 20 goals in the League Cup. That’s just two goals short of what they scored in 18 regular season games before the tournament, and Messi scored 10. With Messi up front, Sergio Busquets pulling the strings in midfield, and the club getting defensive help from Jordi Alba – all newly acquired during the July minor transfer window – the rest of the squad has blossomed under former Barcelona and Atlanta United boss Gerardo. “Tata Martino.
“The best player in the world, so that’s a good start,” Cincinnati general manager Chris Albright assesses Miami. “I think the chemistry that Messi and Busquets have liberates all the other players to use their talent and be liberated. Josef (Martinez) seems to be the best version of himself in a while. Some of the young ‘kids, (Robert) Taylor, are able to play with them – certainly without the pressure and expectations he faces. Messi, Busquets and Alba. This leads to a very good formula for winning matches.”
Miami’s new formula has yet to be tested outside of the League Cup, although the clubs look set to improve their game in the regular season as well. Even in terms of standings, some are expecting a furious post-season push from the Heron.
Miami certainly doesn’t plan to slump in the Open Cup. Martino announced on Monday that Messi would not be rested for Wednesday’s game, negating a talking point he thought might come to fruition as Messi started six straight matches.
“Really, congratulations to them on greatly improving their team in One Window,” FCC Chairman Jeff Birding told The Enquirer.
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FC Cincinnati is not holding back
In their first game since being eliminated in the League Cup in the Round of 32 on August 6, FC Cincinnati lost Sunday to arch-rivals the Columbus Crew, 3-0. The performance wasn’t going to instill confidence in Messi but FC Cincinnati still wouldn’t be a step up.
After all, this is still the club leading the race for the Supporters’ Shield, Major League Soccer’s regular season championship with great incentives.
The FCC also sent three players to the league’s All-Star game in Washington, D.C., including captain Luciano Acosta, an Argentinian and Messi fan who attended the World Cup final and posed for a stadium photo with Messi in December.
more: FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta talks about the USMNT, American citizenship, and being the face of MLS
Cincinnati is healthy for the Miami game – with one exception that could be pivotal. FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said during Tuesday’s news that center back Yerson Mosquera has been ruled out of the game with an injury.
Mosquera, on loan from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, plays in a vital position for Cincinnati, alongside fellow left-centre Matt Meazga and full-back Álvaro Barreal. His absence will likely be felt on Wednesday.
It remains to be seen if FC Cincinnati’s latest score will affect actions against Miami.
FCC came out flat with a 3-0 loss to The Crew and created fewer chances as the game went on. Cincinnati will have to quickly turn the page on the loss of Mosquera, as well as the defeat in Columbus, in order to survive the Miami challenge.
the game
Starting: 7 p.m. Wed | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
TV / Stream / Radio: Star64 (local TV)/CBS Sports Golazo/ESPN 1530
All time series: Inter Miami leads the all-time series against FC Cincinnati with a 4-2-1 record. Cincinnati has gone undefeated against Miami (2-0-1) in the team’s last three games.
Cincinnati.com predicted: Cincinnati 3, Inter Miami 2.
FC Cincinnati
Record (all competitions): 19-3-9
goals for: 52
Match goals: 35
trainer: Pat Noonan – Sophomore VFC Cincinnati
The expected starting line-up:
Alec was a goalkeeper
Alvaro Barreal is a right-back
Ian Murphy, Central Defender
Matt Miazga – Central Defender
Nick Haglund – Central Defender
Santiago Arias is a right back
Obinna Nobudu Midfielder
Marco Angulo Midfielder
Luciano Acosta Midfielder
Brandon Vazquez, forward
Aaron Popendza Forward
Inter Miami CF
Record (all competitions): 13-14-6
goals for: 48
Match goals: 46
trainer: Gerardo “Tata” Martino – first year at Inter Miami
The expected starting line-up:
Goalkeeper Drake Callender
Jordi Alba, left back
Kamal Miller, central defender
Serhiy Krivtsov – Central Defender
DeAndre Yedlin, right back
Dixon Arroyo Midfielder
Sergio Busquets Midfielder
Benjamin Karimachi Midfielder
Robert Taylor, winger/forward
Joseph Martinez Forward
Lionel Messi, winger/forward
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