Inter Miami vs Cincinnati: Messi’s Late Heroics, Live Score, Highlights & How to Watch the MLS Thriller

All eyes turn to Ohio this Wednesday as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF visit high-flying FC Cincinnati in a marquee MLS 2025 clash that could reshape the Eastern Conference standings. Kick-off, Venue, TV & Streaming • Date: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) • Stadium: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH • Live stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+; local radio on WQAM 560 AM (Miami) & ESPN 1530 (Cincy) • Spanish broadcast: MLS Season Pass (SAP) & TUDN Radio Why the Match Matters Cincinnati sit second in the East with 43 points, two behind first-place New York City FC. Inter Miami, unbeaten in four, have surged to fourth on 38 points and could leapfrog the Orange and Blue with a road victory. With only 11 regular-season games left, every point is pivotal for Supporters’ Shield seeding and Leagues Cup qualification. Messi vs. Miazga: Key Battles to Watch 1. Lionel Messi vs. Matt Miazga – The World Cup-winning Argentine has 15 goals and 12 assists in 18 MLS appearances this season; Miazga’s aerial dominance and physical play will be tasked with shadowing the diminutive playmaker. 2. Luciano Acosta vs. Sergio Busquets – Last year’s MLS MVP thrives between the lines. Busquets’ positioning will be crucial to sever Acosta’s passing lanes to Aaron Boupendza and Yuya Kubo. 3. Luis Suárez vs. Miles Robinson – Suárez is coming off a hat trick against Atlanta. Robinson’s recovery speed could neutralize the Uruguayan, but one lapse invites trouble. Projected Line-Ups FC Cincinnati (3-4-1-2): Celentano; Robinson, Miazga, Mosquera; Arias, Nwobodo, Angulo, Barreal; Acosta ©; Boupendza, Kubo. Inter Miami (4-3-1-2): Callender; Weigandt, Avilés, Falcon, Alba; Busquets ©, Cremaschi, Segovia; Allende; Messi, Suárez. Form Guide • Cincinnati: W-D-W-W-L • Inter Miami: W-W-D-W-W Recent Head-to-Head – 26 March 2025: Inter Miami 2-1 Cincinnati (Chase Stadium) – 23 Sept 2024: Cincinnati 3-3 Inter Miami (TQL Stadium) – 23 Aug 2023: Inter Miami 5-4 Cincinnati (US Open Cup semifinal – ET) Injury Report Cincinnati: Brandon Vázquez (ankle) remains sidelined, Ian Murphy questionable (hamstring). Inter Miami: Jean Motta (knee) is out; Jordi Alba cleared after precautionary rest last weekend. Tactical Spotlight Pat Noonan’s 3-5-2 relies on wingbacks Álvaro Barreal and Santiago Arias to overload flanks and deliver early crosses. Tata Martino’s Herons prefer patient build-up through Busquets before unleashing quick vertical combinations between Messi and Suárez. Expect Inter Miami to target zones behind Barreal when the Argentine wingback pushes high. Prediction & Betting Odds Sportsbooks list Cincinnati slight favorites at +140, Inter Miami +175, Draw +260 (O/U 3.5). Given both sides average over 2.1 goals per match, a high-scoring encounter is likely; BTTS “Yes” has hit in seven of the last eight meetings. How to Follow Live Real-time score updates, highlights and post-match analysis will be available on MLS Season Pass, the official club X (Twitter) accounts @InterMiamiCF and @FCCincinnati, plus the MLS App push alerts. Use hashtags #CINvMIA, #Messi, #MLS2025 for social conversation. Bottom Line With playoff implications, star power and two attack-minded managers, FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami promises fireworks. Whether Messi adds another chapter to his MLS legend or the Orange and Blue defend their fortress, this mid-week showdown is can’t-miss soccer drama.