TQL Stadium- Inter Miami CF saw its 5-game win streak come to a screeching halt in Cincinnati, losing 3-0 to the “Orange and Blue.” MLS MVP contender Evander scored a brace, with Gerardo Valenzuela scoring the other goal for Cincy, who dominated the game from start to finish.
Starting XI
Óscar Ustari started in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Maximiliano Falcón, Tomás Avilés, and Jordi Alba the back line of four; Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende, and Telasco Segovia in the midfield; Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez the attacking duo.
The Herons 4-4-2 matches up against Cincy’s 3-5-2..Avilés & Falcon pair up at center back..Weigandt starts..Cremaschi, Busquets , Segovia, & Allende in midfield..#Messi & Suarez 🆙 🔝..#MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/uUCPWb2Wyb
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 16, 2025
Match Action
Kei Kamara set the tone early for FC Cincinnati with a blast in the 2nd minute that forced Ustari to parry the ball over the crossbar. Cincy came out motivated, intense, and dynamic. Their team speed caught Inter Miami off guard and gave the Herons fits with the high press. Luca Orellano cut in from the wing and delivered a pass into the box for a cutting Gerardo Valenzuela, who finished with a sharp crossing shot past Ustari for the 1-0 lead 16 minutes in.
A fierce run by Orellana & the tight pass for Valenzuela leads to Cincinnati’s goal to put them up 1-0 early in the game..#MLS #InterMiamiCF
pic.twitter.com/CyUlYMN5lr— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 17, 2025
To add insult to injury, Óscar Ustari suffered an apparent hamstring injury when he came out of his box to clear a ball. Ustari was replaced in goal by Rocco Ríos Novo.
Cincy continued to control the match, but could not score again in the first half.
Cincinnati has been much better than #InterMiamiCF in the 1st half..The Herons are lucky to only be down 1-0..What will Mascherano adjust to kickstart Miami & #Messi? Will Suarez be subbed off? Bright for Busquets? #MLS pic.twitter.com/GgHBR0mxzj
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 17, 2025
Evander didn’t take long to get on the scoreboard in the second half. In the 50th minute, the talented midfielder took advantage of an opportunity in tight space and put it in for the 2-0 Cincy lead.
Evander takes advantage of his opportunity & extends Cincy’s lead to 2-0 over #InterMiamiCF The Herons lost their shape & they paid the price..#MLS
pic.twitter.com/1HrFh1HBfv— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 17, 2025
On Wednesday night, another brace would be scored, but it would be Evander, not Messi, with the honors. The Brazilian star pounced on a loose ball in the area to make it 3-0, after Ríos Novo couldn’t handle an Orellano shot. Cincy ran away with the match, and the Herons were helpless to stop them.
It’s Evander with the brace tonight, not #Messi..Cincy putting it on #InterMiamiCF 3-0..#MLS
pic.twitter.com/JOoMdOX6se— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 17, 2025
Postgame
Head Coach Javier Mascherano offered some comments after the match, admitting that the team was outplayed, but seemingly trying to find excuses for the poor performance,
Clearly we were outplayed from the beginning, and one of the reasons could be that we’ve had to deal with a large workload. We played a number of matches in a short span of time.
Masch stated the obvious: Inter Miami CF was outplayed throughout the night by a Cincinnati team that looked faster, fresher, and more focused than Miami. If the team is feeling the strain of a congested schedule, Mascherano has the authority to rest players and make adjustments to the lineup. If he chooses to continue playing Messi and the Barcelona boys every game for 90 minutes, then he cannot complain about tired legs or hectic schedules.
Cincy executed a wonderful game plan & completely dominated #InterMiamiCF tonight 3-0..#Messi could never get into the game, Alba, Busquets, & Suarez were nonexistent..Tough loss for the Herons..Evander led the way for Cincy…#MLS pic.twitter.com/ViLK6nJOnk
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 17, 2025
Final Thoughts
De Andre Yedlin has Inter Miami’s number. Since his trade to Cincy, Yedlin’s squad has handled Inter Miami soundly for the most part in matches. They always seem to catch Miami in a difficult moment, and they take complete advantage.
Mascherano has refused to force Messi and the Barca Boys to take a break. In the end, he makes the decisions, but it seems that what Messi says is what the team sticks to. Masch has no moral authority to talk about tired legs when he doesn’t rest the veteran stars.
NY Red Bulls are next for Miami on the road to redemption. The Herons must return to better form and play a solid match versus the Red Bulls. Another convincing loss would send shockwaves through the Inter Miami CF community.
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