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 host one of the two Eastern Conference semifinals, welcoming in Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF.The Nov. 23 meeting will be the third of the season between the two sides, and the second this year at TQL Stadium, a place Cincinnati has enjoyed some recent success against the Herons.Over the last four league games played in the West End between the two sides, The FC have won each match played at TQL Stadium.In those four matches, Cincinnati has outscored Miami 13-2.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.In 2024, five men in orange and blue scored against the Herons en route to a 6-1 win against a Messi-less Miami side, led by a brace from Yuya Kubo. Messi was on international duty at the time, away with the Argentine national team during the Copa America tournament.The two other games in that stretch came prior to Messi’s arrival in MLS: A 1-0 win on April 1, 2023, and a 3-1 victory on March 19, 2022.Despite FCC’s successes against Miami at home, there has been one blemish: A penalty shootout loss in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup semifinals, just over a month after Messi first debuted with Miami.Cincinnati’s successes aren’t just limited to home soil: Since 2023, FCC is 1W-2D-1L against Miami in the Florida humidity, including a 0-0 draw earlier this year against, yet again, a Messi-less Miami.He and and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended after the duo did not show up for MLS All-Star festivities earlier this summer.The FC’s home success against Miami has come in something of a stark contrast to their overall success at TQL Stadium over the last two seasons. After Going 13W-2D-2L at home in 2023, earning 41 points on their way to the Supporters’ Shield, FCC have won more points away from the West End than in it in each of the last two seasons.Last year, they went 7W-3D-7L at home (24 points) while boasting a 35-point clip on the road (11W-2D-4L).This season, the disparity isn’t nearly as great, but still there: Cincinnati went 11W-2D-4L on the road (35 points) and 9W-3D-5L (30 points) at home.Kickoff on Nov. 23 is set for 5 p.m.

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 host one of the two Eastern Conference semifinals, welcoming in Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF.

The Nov. 23 meeting will be the third of the season between the two sides, and the second this year at TQL Stadium, a place Cincinnati has enjoyed some recent success against the Herons.

Over the last four league games played in the West End between the two sides, The FC have won each match played at TQL Stadium.

In those four matches, Cincinnati has outscored Miami 13-2.

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.

In 2024, five men in orange and blue scored against the Herons en route to a 6-1 win against a Messi-less Miami side, led by a brace from Yuya Kubo. Messi was on international duty at the time, away with the Argentine national team during the Copa America tournament.

The two other games in that stretch came prior to Messi’s arrival in MLS: A 1-0 win on April 1, 2023, and a 3-1 victory on March 19, 2022.

Despite FCC’s successes against Miami at home, there has been one blemish: A penalty shootout loss in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup semifinals, just over a month after Messi first debuted with Miami.

Cincinnati’s successes aren’t just limited to home soil: Since 2023, FCC is 1W-2D-1L against Miami in the Florida humidity, including a 0-0 draw earlier this year against, yet again, a Messi-less Miami.

He and and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended after the duo did not show up for MLS All-Star festivities earlier this summer.

The FC’s home success against Miami has come in something of a stark contrast to their overall success at TQL Stadium over the last two seasons. After Going 13W-2D-2L at home in 2023, earning 41 points on their way to the Supporters’ Shield, FCC have won more points away from the West End than in it in each of the last two seasons.

Last year, they went 7W-3D-7L at home (24 points) while boasting a 35-point clip on the road (11W-2D-4L).

This season, the disparity isn’t nearly as great, but still there: Cincinnati went 11W-2D-4L on the road (35 points) and 9W-3D-5L (30 points) at home.

Kickoff on Nov. 23 is set for 5 p.m.