90min
·6 July 2024
90min
·6 July 2024
Inter Miami hit the road to take on Eastern Conference foes FC Cincinnati in a top-of-the-table clash at TQL Stadium.
Cincinnati have been one of the best teams in MLS this season -- much like the 2023 season -- as they've managed 11 league wins from their last 11 matches played. Pat Noonan's side are strong contenders again for the Supporters' Shield as they trail the leading Herons by just two points with a a game in hand.
Miami have also been in impressive recent form, winning four straight league matches as they're on a five match unbeaten streak. Even without the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the south Florida side have found ways to win to keep their position atop the Supporters' Shield table.
Here's 90min's guide to Cincinnati vs Miami.
Matt Miazga will miss the rest of the season through injury / Jeff Dean/GettyImages
Cincinnati's standout defender Matt Miazga was put on the team's season-ending injury list due to a knee injury, while fellow defender Nick Hagglund was also placed on the same list as he recently underwent ankle surgery.
Yuya Kubo is set to miss the match due to yellow card accumulation after picking up a booking vs DC United.
FC Cincinnati predicted lineup vs Inter Miami ( 3-4-1-2 ): Celentano; Keller, Robinson, Murphy; Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha, Yedlin; Acosta; Kelsy, Baird.
Messi remains at Copa America with Argentina / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
The Herons have no new injuries in their camp, but both Messi and Suarez are still competing at Copa America 2024. Argentina survived a scare vs Ecuador as they won on penalty kicks to advance to the semi-finals, while Suarez's Uruguay take on Brazil Saturday night.
Full-back Jordi Alba and midfielder Diego Gomez will both miss the match due to yellow card accumulation after they picked up bookings in the win over Charlotte FC.
As Paraguay were eliminated from Copa America earlier this week, Matias Rojas could soon return to the mix for Miami and potentially start vs Cincinnati given that he was unused substitute in their final two group stage matches.
Inter Miami predicted lineup vs FC Cincinnati ( 4-3-3 ): Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Negri; Cremaschi, Busquets, Gressel; Rojas, Campana, Taylor.
This one is shaping up to be an enthralling encounter between two top MLS sides that are leading the race for the 2024 Supporters' Shield. Miami will fancy their chances in this one even without a few key players, but Cincinnati will prove to be too much at home in front of their fans.
Miami have been able to squeak out a few victories in recent weeks, but that will come to an end momentarily on Saturday night with Cincinnati leapfrogging the Herons in the table.
Prediction: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Inter Miami