After taking down the Columbus Crew in their best-of-three first round series, FC Cincinnati is now seeking a second appearance in the Eastern Conference finals in three season.But first, the Orange and Blue will once again host one of the biggest stars in soccer, as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami descend upon the West End looking to end Cincinnati’s season prematurely.As FC Cincinnati aims to down the Herons and continue their quest for the club’s first ever MLS Cup, WLWT has you covered. Keep this story handy throughout Sunday afternoon as well have all your updates from the TQL Stadium pitch.Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.6′ – 0-0FC Cincinnati just had their best chance of the early moments of the game. Lukas Engel dribbled the ball near the end touchline, sent it back out to the top of the penalty area, where Ender Echenique was waiting for it.Ender centered it to Evander, who took it off one bounce, but overshot the goal.Maybe the best chance for either side so far in the opening 10 minutes.4′ – 0-0Both of these teams have been shot out of a canon, with a furious pace being set on both sides.Miami is the owner of the game’s first set piece — a corner kick — but it proved no serious threat.0′ – KickoffWe are underway from the West End. LineupsPat Noonan is going with the same Starting XI that defeated Columbus in Game 3.Miles Robinson will captain the side.And how the visitors will line up.Despite his being available, Luis Suarez will not start the game for Miami.PreviewIt’s been more than two weeks since Cincinnati clinched their best-of-three first round series over their in-state rivals, with a 2-1 win on Nov. 8 over the Crew. Now, the MLS Cup Playoffs move to a single-elimination format.If history is any indication, the Orange and Blue should have an advantage Sunday: Over the last four MLS games played between the two sides at TQL Stadium, FCC is 4-0-0, having outscored Miami 13-2.It is worth nothing Messi only played in one of those matches: A 3-0 FCC win this past July which saw MVP candidate Evander net a brace that also set a club record, scoring a goal in his fifth-straight game.Messi and Miami also went all three games in their first-round series, against Nashville, winning the two matches played at home. But the Argentinian superstar was as lethal as ever, netting five goals over the three-game series, including a pair of braces (games one and three).Not that the visitors need it, but they’re getting an injection of star power that was missing from their 4-0 Game 3 win over Nashville: Luis Suarez, who missed the match after being forced to serve a suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct in Game 2.

CINCINNATI —

After taking down the Columbus Crew in their best-of-three first round series, FC Cincinnati is now seeking a second appearance in the Eastern Conference finals in three season.

But first, the Orange and Blue will once again host one of the biggest stars in soccer, as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami descend upon the West End looking to end Cincinnati’s season prematurely.

As FC Cincinnati aims to down the Herons and continue their quest for the club’s first ever MLS Cup, WLWT has you covered. Keep this story handy throughout Sunday afternoon as well have all your updates from the TQL Stadium pitch.

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

6′ – 0-0

FC Cincinnati just had their best chance of the early moments of the game. Lukas Engel dribbled the ball near the end touchline, sent it back out to the top of the penalty area, where Ender Echenique was waiting for it.

Ender centered it to Evander, who took it off one bounce, but overshot the goal.

Maybe the best chance for either side so far in the opening 10 minutes.

4′ – 0-0

Both of these teams have been shot out of a canon, with a furious pace being set on both sides.

Miami is the owner of the game’s first set piece — a corner kick — but it proved no serious threat.

0′ – Kickoff

We are underway from the West End.

Lineups

Pat Noonan is going with the same Starting XI that defeated Columbus in Game 3.

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Despite his being available, Luis Suarez will not start the game for Miami.

Preview

It’s been more than two weeks since Cincinnati clinched their best-of-three first round series over their in-state rivals, with a 2-1 win on Nov. 8 over the Crew. Now, the MLS Cup Playoffs move to a single-elimination format.

If history is any indication, the Orange and Blue should have an advantage Sunday: Over the last four MLS games played between the two sides at TQL Stadium, FCC is 4-0-0, having outscored Miami 13-2.

It is worth nothing Messi only played in one of those matches: A 3-0 FCC win this past July which saw MVP candidate Evander net a brace that also set a club record, scoring a goal in his fifth-straight game.

Messi and Miami also went all three games in their first-round series, against Nashville, winning the two matches played at home. But the Argentinian superstar was as lethal as ever, netting five goals over the three-game series, including a pair of braces (games one and three).

Not that the visitors need it, but they’re getting an injection of star power that was missing from their 4-0 Game 3 win over Nashville: Luis Suarez, who missed the match after being forced to serve a suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct in Game 2.