FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami prediction, projected lineups, how to watch | OneFootball

Lionel Messi continues to prove he’s one of the most lethal forwards in world football. The Argentine legend has set a new MLS record by scoring multiple goals in five consecutive matches, netting exactly two in each game.

As his coach and former teammate Javier Mascherano puts it: “There aren’t many words. It’s incredible what he keeps doing, not just breaking records every weekend, but now every three days.”

Inter Miami currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, just five points behind leaders Philadelphia Union, with three games in hand. Since returning from the Club World Cup break, the Herons have been in unstoppable form, earning a perfect run: nine points from nine.

Mascherano’s squad is riding a six-game unbeaten streak in MLS, with five consecutive wins, not against bottom-of-the-table teams, but against some of the strongest contenders in the East. This run of form is largely thanks to the brilliance of Messi, whose performances continue to draw fans from around the world to witness his magic on U.S. soil.

With confidence running high, Inter Miami now head to Cincinnati to face the second-place team in a high-stakes clash. Despite Cincinnati’s impressive form and three straight wins over Miami at TQL Stadium, including a dominant 6-1 result in their last meeting, the Herons are arriving with momentum.

Cincinnati, just one point off the top, will be looking to bounce back after a surprising 4-2 home loss to the Columbus Crew, despite scoring twice in the opening five minutes. All eyes will be on this showdown as two of the East’s elite collide.

Here's everything you need to know about New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami

How to watch Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami

Time: Thursday, July 16,  7:30 pm ET

Venue: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati

TV & streaming: Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass

FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami  projected lineups

Inter Miami needs Messi to reach the top of the standings, but Mascherano has doubts because he knows Messi needs to rest at some point. It's never a good time, because the Argentine is in his best form since arriving in MLS. His goals disguise the defensive weaknesses of the Herons. But at some point, Mascherano will need to spare Messi some minutes and bring him off the bench, or otherwise risk a longer-term injury for the 38-year-old.

FC Cincinnati have established themselves as one of the top MLS sides in recent years, as the Orange and Blue have finished 10th, first and fifth in the overall standings in the last three campaigns. Kevin Denkey and Evander are in glorious goalscoring form in MLS, with 25 goals between them, but Denkey is set to be a surprise injury absence on Wednesday.

While Inter Miami wants to win their sixth consecutive match, Cincinnati wants to return to the path of triumph against the Herons and potentially reclaim first place.

Inter Miami projected lineup (4-4-2, right to left)

Oscar Ustari (GK)-Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Falcon Picart, Jordi Alba- Allende, Cremaschi, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia-Leo Messi, Luis Suarez

Inter Miami player status report

Noah Allen - hamstring (out), Drake Callender - hernia (out), Ian Fray - adductor (out), Baltasar Rodriguez - hamstring (out), Yannick Bright - hamstring (questionable), Gonzalo Lujan - hamstring (questionable), Allen Obando - hamstring (questionable), David Ruiz - hamstring (questionable)

FC Cincinnati projected lineup (3-5-2, right to left)

Roman Celentano (GK)-Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson, Lukas Engel – DeAndre Yedlin, Pavel Bucha, Evander, Tah Anunga, Luca Orellano- Gerardo Valenzuela, Sergio Santos.

FC Cincinnat player status report

Kévin Denkey - leg (out), Yuya Kubo - ankle (out), Obinna Nwobodo - quad (out)

FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami  prediction

Two of the top-performing teams in Major League Soccer are set to collide in a high-stakes showdown on Wednesday, as FC Cincinnati welcome Inter Miami to TQL Stadium.

Messi and Miami come into the match riding a five-game winning streak in MLS and have lost just once in their last 14 regular-season away games, a run that stretches back to August of last year.

However, taking all three points in Cincinnati won’t be easy. The hosts are just one point off the top of the Eastern Conference and will be determined to slow down the red-hot Herons.

All eyes will be on Messi, who has scored two goals in each of his last five matches. The big question: Can Cincinnati prevent the Argentine from adding yet another brace to his remarkable streak?