FC Cincinnati never recovered from the first six minutes.
Facing Inter Miami CF on Saturday at Chase Stadium with FC Cincinnati’s Supporters’ Shield hopes hanging by a thread, Miami came out like a club intent on sending a message. Luis Suarez scored 34 seconds into the match, and then again in the sixth minute off a turnover by FCC’s Obinna Nwobodo.
FC Cincinnati, which played with a man advantage for 50-plus minutes due to a Miami red card in the first half, failed to dent the 2-0 scoreline and lost by the same tally. Miami became the first club of 2024 to clinch an MLS Cup playoffs berth, as well as maintain its lead in the race for the Shield.
FC Cincinnati (15-8-3, 48 points) lost its fourth match in a row, marking its longest losing streak since the four-win 2021 season. But the defeat had larger consequences than that.
Losing at Miami meant FCC’s deficit in the Shield race as it pursues the trophy for a second straight year stood at eight points with eight regular-season matches to play. In other words, an all but insurmountable chasm to bridge in the dwindling weeks of the 2024 season.
For the time being, FC Cincinnati remains in second place in the Eastern Conference, which would be a desirable position to hold onto come playoff time. It’s important to note that third-place Columbus Crew (12-4-7, 43 points) is was idle in league play this weekend due to Sunday’s Leagues Cup final at Lower.com Field against LAFC. The Crew also have three regular-season matches in-hand on FCC.
Cincinnati was without the services of Luciano Acosta for the first half due to his prolonged bout with a foot injury. Acosta came on to begin the second half but was unable to steer FCC toward a goal.
FC Cincinnati saw center back Chidozie Awaziem and striker Niko Gioacchini make their respective debuts in MLS play.
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida − Welcome to Cincinnati.com’s live coverage of FC Cincinnati versus Inter Miami CF in a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 sides in the Eastern Conference. Refresh this page throughout the match for live updates and analysis, and follow Enquirer FC Cincinnati beat reporter Pat Brennan on X, formerly Twitter, for further updates (@PBrennanENQ).
Pivotal second half underway
Ian Murphy, Luciano Acosta and Sergio Santos are on for FC Cincinnati. Gerardo Valenzuela, Niko Gioacchini, and Kevin Kelsy are done for the night.
45 to go for FC Cincinnati
Miami held onto its 2-0 lead through to halftime, even as FC Cincinnati played with a man advantage and saw the referees add nine minutes of time to the end of the period. The club is going to have to rattle off some goals now.
Miami down to 10 men (41′)
An ugly collision involving Tomas Avilés and Cincinnati’s Kevin Kelsy earned Aviles his second yellow card of the match, and a red card. Miami will have to see this game out with 10 men for about 50-plus minutes.
Cincinnati definitely wasn’t ready to go (6′)
A giveaway near midfield by Obinna Nwobodo sent Miami on the counterattack, and Luis Suarez punished Cincinnati with his second goal.
Or maybe not ready to go (1′)
Miami scored less than 40 seconds into the match, with Luis Suarez finding the ball at his feet and unmarked at the back post. Disaster start for Cincinnati.
Ready to go (1′)
It’s FC Cincinnati’s biggest match of 2024 so far, and a loss to Miami, the Supporters’ Shield leaders, would effectively end FCC’s reign with that trophy. Cincinnati would be eight points back with eight to play, so if they value holding onto that trophy, at least a draw tonight is a must.
Starting lineups for FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami
- FC Cincinnati starting XI: Roman Celentano (GK), Yuya Kubo, Miles Robinson, Chidozie Awaziem, DeAndre Yedlin, Luca Orellano, Pavel Bucha, Obinna Nwobodo, Gerardo Valenzuela, Niko Gioacchini, Kevin Kelsy.
- Cincinnati bench: Alvas Powell, Luciano Acosta, Corey Baird, Kipp Keller, Bret Halsey, Sergio Santos, Malik Pinto, Ian Murphy, Evan Louro.
- Inter Miami starting XI: Drake Callender (GK), Sergio Busquets, Tomas Avilés, Matías Rojas, Luis Suarez, David Martinez, Jordi Alba, Diego Gomez, Yannick Bright, Federico Redondo, Marcelo Weigandt.
- Miami bench: Dos Santos, Fray, Krystov, Allen, Negri, Cremaschi, Ruiz, Campana, Taylor.
