No Messi, No Magic, Inter Miami Held to Goalless Draw Against FC Cincinnati in High-Intensity Stalemate
In what turned out to be a fiercely contested but ultimately goal-less affair, Inter Miami CF played FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at TQL Stadium — but all eyes were on who wasn’t on the pitch: Lionel Messi.
The Argentine legend was sidelined due to a one-match suspension after accumulating yellow cards in previous games, and his absence was clearly felt as Inter Miami struggled to find their attacking rhythm. Despite the high stakes and electric atmosphere, both sides failed to find the back of the net in a game marked by missed chances, gritty defending, and standout goalkeeping.
A Match Missing Star Power
With Lionel Messi serving a suspension for disciplinary reasons, Inter Miami stepped onto the pitch lacking their captain, playmaker, and offensive anchor. This was only the second time this season that Miami had to play without Messi, and once again, it showed on the scoreboard.
Messi, who has been pivotal in Miami’s rise up the MLS standings, watched from the stands as his team struggled in the final third, failing to convert possession into goals.
First Half Recap: Cautious but Competitive
The first 45 minutes saw both teams adopt a conservative but physical approach. Cincinnati, playing in front of their home crowd, pressed early but were unable to penetrate Miami’s defense led by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, both of whom stepped up in Messi’s absence.
Miami’s best chance came in the 27th minute when Leonardo Campana latched onto a through ball from Benjamin Cremaschi, only to be denied by Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano, who made a brilliant low save.
On the other side, Luciano Acosta threatened for Cincinnati with a curling free kick that narrowly missed the top corner in the 34th minute.
Second Half: Frustration Builds, Defenders Shine
The second half opened with both sides pushing harder, but the match quickly turned into a defensive battle. Cincinnati’s backline, marshaled by Matt Miazga, stayed compact and absorbed pressure, while Inter Miami’s midfield lacked the creative spark usually supplied by Messi.
Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino made several substitutions, introducing fresh legs like Diego Gómez and Noah Allen, but the finishing touch remained elusive.
Tempers flared in the 74th minute after a rough challenge by Cincinnati’s Obinna Nwobodo on Campana, leading to a mini scuffle and a yellow card. The tension added fire to the game but no goals to the scoreboard.
Goalkeepers Steal the Spotlight
Both goalkeepers delivered standout performances:
- Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati) – 4 crucial saves, excellent distribution under pressure
- Drake Callender (Inter Miami) – Calm under fire, pulled off a clutch save in stoppage time to deny Acosta
Their clean sheets kept their sides in contention throughout the 90 minutes.
Match Stats Snapshot
| Category | FC Cincinnati | Inter Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 48% | 52% |
| Shots (on target) | 12 (4) | 10 (3) |
| Corners | 5 | 4 |
| Fouls | 13 | 15 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
What This Means for Both Teams
- Inter Miami remains in the playoff picture but drops valuable points in the race for the top spots in the Eastern Conference. With Messi set to return next match, the team will look to bounce back with full strength.
- FC Cincinnati, currently a top-three team in the East, will be satisfied with a point against one of the league’s strongest lineups, even without Messi. Their defensive solidity continues to be a major strength.
Post-Match Reactions
Tata Martino, Inter Miami Head Coach:
“We missed Messi, of course. But I’m proud of the effort. Defensively we were solid — offensively, we need to be sharper.”
Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati Midfielder:
“We knew it was a good chance with Messi out. We tried to take it, but in the end, a draw is fair.”
A Tactical Draw, But No Fireworks
The 0-0 draw between Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati may not go down as one of the most thrilling matches of the MLS season, but it highlighted the strategic depth and defensive discipline of both sides. For Miami fans, the absence of their talismanic No. 10 was painfully visible. For neutrals, it was a reminder that sometimes, football is about what almost happens — and who isn’t there — just as much as the goals that are scored.
Next Up for Inter Miami: Messi returns to face Atlanta United — will the magic be back? Stay tuned
