FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami will lock horns in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on Sunday for a winner takes all game, Softfootball reports.
8-time Ballon D’Or winner, Lionel Messi Scored twice as Inter Miami crushed Nashville to in the quarter finals while Cincinnati moved past their rivals Columbus Crew to setup this meeting.
Inter Miami are focused on the game and shared a preview via their official X handle. See below.
It comes down to Sunday 🔥
🗞️ Read more about our upcoming match against Cincinnati here: https://t.co/1zjchTQePp pic.twitter.com/6jzSBjIoMA
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) November 21, 2025Cincinnati will be happy that Inter Miami are not invincible despite having arguable the greatest footballer of all-time at their disposal in Lionel Messi. Before the home win against Nashville, they lost at home and that is a weakness Cincinnati can review that clip and see how they can overcome the test before them.
It will be interesting to note that the Semi-final clash is a one leg affair where if there is no winner after 90 minutes, it will go into extra-time and then penalties defending on the outcome.
TEAM NEWS
Ender Echenique is doubftful for the encounter after picking up a knock to his knee on international duty, while Bradley Smith and Matt Miazga are still battling injuries.
Cincinnati’s trio Brenner, Kevin Denkey and Evander will carry the treat for them against Miami. Evander has 18 goals and 15 assists in the regular season. He has scored three goals from free kicks while Brenner netted a brace the last time out and will be high on confidence.
United States defender Miles Robinson and goalkeeper Roman Celentano are set to start as they are vital to the team.
For Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, who scored against Angola during the international break, produced five goals and three assists in the best-of-three series against Nashville will once again be the main man.
Tadeo Allende will also be key for Inter Miami after bagging three goals and an assist against the Coyotes, while Rodrigo De Paul, who joined from Atletico Madrid has been superb for the team.
FC Cincinnati probable XI:
Celentano; Hadebe, Robinson, Engel; Powell, Gidi, Bucha, Orellano; Evander; Brenner, Denkey
Inter Miami probable XI:
Rios; Fray, Falcon, Allen, Alba; Busquets, De Paul; Allende, Messi, Rodriguez; Suarez
Softfootball prediction
FC Cincinnati stand a good chance of winning this game if they can be solid in defence because they will always have opportunities to score against Inter Miami but they cannot rule out the magic of Messi. FC Cincinnati 2-3 Inter Miami.
