Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati: Messi, line-ups and the stakes

Why the match drew searches

Inter Miami hosted FC Cincinnati on MLS Matchday 33 at Nu Stadium on Wednesday, October 28, with kickoff at 7:30pm ET [1]. Most of the searches came down to one name: Lionel Messi. He had started the previous match on the bench, against the New York Red Bulls. The preview said he was expected back in the starting eleven, though he could also come off the bench [2]. The confirmed team sheet listed him as captain, next to Luis Suárez and Germán Berterame [1].

The table made the game matter. Inter Miami had lost 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls and dropped to second place in the Eastern Conference. They then beat D.C. United, a win that kept their playoff hopes alive [2]. The Cincinnati match was their first at home after consecutive away games [1].

The last big meeting

The two clubs had met in a major game before. On November 23, 2025, Inter Miami won 4-0 at Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semifinal of the MLS playoffs [4] [3]. Messi scored one goal and added three assists, heading in the opener in the 19th minute [3] [4]. CBS reported that his playoff total of 12 goal contributions was an MLS playoff record [4]. Tadeo Allende scored twice, in the 62nd and 74th minutes [4]. Cincinnati had the second-best record in MLS during the regular season, so that result came against a strong side [4]. Miami went on to the Eastern Conference final, where they would host the winner of NYCFC and Philadelphia Union, and the conference champion reached MLS Cup on December 6 [3]. After that night, Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan credited Miami, saying they were better [3].

The line-ups

Inter Miami's confirmed line-up had Dayne St. Clair in goal, with Gonzalo Luján, Casemiro, Micael and Sergio Reguilón across the back. Rodrigo De Paul, David Ayala and Matías Galarza made up the midfield, and Messi, Suárez and Berterame led the attack [1]. Cincinnati named Roman Celentano in goal and a front pair of Kevin Denkey and Kenji Mboma Dem, with Evander and Obinna Nwobodo in midfield under head coach Pat Noonan [1].

What is still open

The team sheets settled the question most fans were asking, which was whether Messi would start. The rest of the picture is in the final report, which is not part of this piece: the score, the table after the game, and how the midfield battle went. The Eastern Conference table will show whether the game added to the run that began with the win over D.C. United, or whether it was a single result. Anyone checking the outcome should use the official MLS results once they are published.