FC Cincinnati looks to find rhythm against hopeful Inter Miami

FC Cincinnati will look for rhythm and play spoiler when the side travels to Inter Miami CF.

FC Cincinnati officially celebrated its 2023 Supporters Shield win following Wednesday’s match, but that match also saw the team lose 2-1 against New York Red Bulls. Yes, the team heavily rotated the squad and also looked the better side when Lucho and Company subbed on, but the team needs to get going before its playoff game.

I think head coach Pat Noonan should try and start that streak in tomorrow’s matchup. The competition needs a win in the worst way, and will be missing strike Leo Campana due to injury. FCC needs to find its footing and what better time than against a team that will be fighting all out to win.

In the first stretch of the mid-week matchup against Red Bulls, the team looked out of sorts. However, once Acosta and Brandon Vazquez entered, I had no worries about whether the team was better. That gives me hope that nothing should change moving forward. I even thought that FCC would end up winning the match were it not for some truly bone-headed officiating.

That stretch of the match was a cautionary tale, though, and should make the front office feel like it needs to upgrade its depth.

The Opposition

Inter Miami CF is currently 14th on the Eastern Conference table with a record of 9-16-6. They have so far scored 39 goals on the season and allowed 50, compared to FCC’s 54 and 37, respectively.

Of course, as is usual I feel for Cincinnati teams, Miami superstar Lionel Messi seems to be expected to make his return against FCC in the matchup. No matter how badly Miami played over the week, FCC will now need to prepare for a much different side and it will be much more difficult than it would have been. Messi will do what we saw him do in the last matchup between the two, open up areas that literally don’t exist for anyone else. Somehow, though, Messi has been nominated for MLS MVP even though he’s only played for MLS matches and only scored once and only assisted twice. That’s just baffling.

For Miami’s MLS scoring tallies, Campana is the side’s leading scorer with nine on the season, but Josef Martinez will most likely start on Saturday due to the former’s injury. Martinez has scored seven times in MLS play.

Whoscored.com said Inter Miami’s strengths include creating long shot opportunities, creating chances with through balls and protecting a lead.

The site also said their weaknesses include stopping opponents from creating chances, defending set pieces and counter-attacks and winning aerial duels.

Whoscored.com also said their style of play includes attempting through balls often, short passes and playing aggressive defensively.