Inter Miami will host FC Cincinnati in a matchup of two of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
FC Cincinnati (15-6-3, 48 points) blanked Inter Miami 3-0 on July 16 and surged to the top spot in the conference following a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake last Saturday.
Inter Miami (12-4-5, 41 points) rebounded from their loss to Cincinnati with a 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday and sit in fifth place with three more matches to play than each of the East’s top four teams.
FC Cincinnati held Lionel Messi without a goal in the previous matchup, snapping the superstar’s league-record streak of five matches with a brace.
Messi will not have a chance to respond in Saturday’s match, however. The MLS on Friday handed Messi and teammate Jordi Alba a one-match sanction for skipping Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas.
Both players were voted into the showcase by the fans and media but neither featured in the MLS squad’s 3-1 win against the Liga MX All-Stars.
“Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game,” the league said in a statement. “Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.”
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas called the punishment “draconian” and said Messi is “extremely upset” about the ruling.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano told reporters Friday morning that both players would have been available Saturday, depending on their fitness level.
“Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. But luckily, (Messi) is returning today,” Mascherano said, per ESPN.
Cincinnati superstar Evander, who scored two goals in the recent victory over Miami, served as team captain in the MLS All-Stars’ 3-1 win over the Liga MX All-Stars.
Evander also set a record in the All-Star Game Skills challenge for points scored. He enters Saturday’s game with the third-most goal contributions in the league (23).
“Just playing (and) just enjoying the moment,” Evander said on the Apple TV broadcast. “I was kind of focused on the targets, and I did it.”
Luca Orellano, who scored the lone goal in the win over Real Salt Lake, also continues to be a force in terms of creating scoring chances. For Cincinnati, Ahoueke Denkey (leg), Obinna Nwobodo (leg) and Yuya Kubo (ankle) remain out.
Miami is expected to again be without injured goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and likely will turn to Rocco Rios Novo in net again. Maxi Falcon also is out due to yellow card accumulation.
–Field Level Media
