Cincinnati came close at the end of the first half with a dangerous corner kick, creating a moment of suspense in the box, but the play fizzled out without damage. That opportunity marked the final action before halftime, sending both teams into the locker rooms. For now, the ticket to the final belongs to Leo Messi’s Inter Miami, who struck at the right moment and managed the rhythm of the match with composure.
The first half is coming to an end, and the fourth official signals three minutes of added time. Inter Miami, guided by an inspired Leo Messi, holds the lead after a composed and disciplined performance. Cincinnati pushes forward in the final moments, but the Herons manage the tempo, aiming to reach halftime with an advantage that brings them closer to the conference final.
Cincinnati’s Evander keeps trying to link up plays to push the team forward and create attacking chances, but every attempt collapses against Inter Miami’s solid and perfectly structured back line. The Herons calmly manage the final minutes of the first half, slowing the tempo and maintaining possession to avoid any last-minute scares, as the crowd waits for a spark from the home side.
The match has entered a frozen phase. Inter Miami slows the tempo by several gears, calmly moving the ball and shutting down every attempt from Cincinnati to accelerate. The Herons reorganize, protect their lead, and settle into a compact shape, while the home team struggles to find openings. The stadium remains tense and expectant as the first half approaches its closing moments.
After the half-hour mark, Cincinnati still can’t regain possession and is clearly struggling against Miami’s control. Inter Miami dictates the pace with calm, precise ball movement, fully owning the rhythm of the match and holding, for now, the ticket to the final. On the sidelines, Javier Mascherano continues shouting instructions, guiding his players to maintain dominance as The Herons keep imposing their style.
If not for Roman Celentano’s brilliant interventions, the match would already be leaning in favor of Inter Miami. In one clear scoring chance, the goalkeeper launched himself into an impressive airborne save, the kind worthy of a highlight reel. Moments later, Messi nearly doubled the lead, but Celentano once again stood tall. Inter Miami continues to dominate as we approach the 30th minute of action.
The minutes following the goal have been played at a frantic pace, with both sides pushing forward aggressively in search of another breakthrough. Cincinnati came close to leveling the score, but Inter Miami’s back line remained solid and disciplined, shutting down every attempt. In the stands, the energy refuses to fade, with fans roaring nonstop as we move closer to the 25th minute of the match.
Gidi collided with Messi, triggering an immediate reaction from the crowd: part of the stadium booed the Cincinnati player, while another sector erupted in cheers every time Messi touched the ball. In that charged atmosphere, the play that changed everything began. Mateo Silvetti delivered a perfectly placed cross, almost as if guided by hand, right toward the Argentine star. Messi rose with remarkable power and fired a header that Roman Celentano had no chance of stopping, sending the fans into absolute celebration.
Cincinnati has seized full control of possession, and as the match approaches the 20-minute mark, the action is unfolding almost entirely in Inter Miami’s half. The Herons keep all eleven players deep in their own territory, forced to defend close to their box while the home side applies relentless pressure. The local team is clearly in command, pushing hard to turn their dominance into the opening goal.
The first ten minutes have gone by, and the stadium is buzzing with a festive and electric atmosphere. On the field, Cincinnati has taken control during several stretches and created clear opportunities to score. Evander is commanding the team’s attacking movements, driving Cincinnati forward as they push for the opening goal against Inter Miami.
The opening five minutes have been full of intensity, as both teams have created dangerous chances near the opposing goals. Each side has produced promising opportunities, and despite the fast pace and evenly matched play, neither has been able to gain an edge on the scoreboard or dominate the flow of the game
The referee blows the opening whistle and the ball starts rolling on Cincinnati’s field. Both teams push forward with intensity, determined to earn their place in the final. The stands erupt with noise as fans shout, chant, and fuel their players, while many eyes follow Messi, hoping he can lead his team to yet another championship moment.
The stadium is absolutely packed, and the atmosphere is electric as fans fill the air with chants and anticipation. Both teams take their final positions on the field while the referee checks his watch. Everything is ready, and at any moment he will blow the whistle to kick off the MLS semifinals—an intense clash that promises excitement, drama, and top-level football.
Everything is set for the start of this crucial semifinal. The stands are packed, both teams have completed their warm-ups, and the atmosphere inside the stadium is electric. All that’s left is for the players to step onto the pitch and for the action to begin. Expectations are high, and all signs point to a tense and defining match ahead.
The atmosphere becomes more formal as everything is set for the pre-match ceremony. The teams briefly return to the locker rooms before coming back out for the official walkout, the anthem, and the opening protocol. Fans wait with anticipation for this moment that signals the official start of the match.
Both teams are already on the pitch going through their warm-up routines, fine-tuning every detail ahead of kickoff. Tactical movements, precision drills, and final physical work can be seen, while coaches deliver last-minute instructions to ensure the players are ready for the intensity of this semifinal.
The stands are gradually filling up as fans take their seats, creating a lively and electric atmosphere with only minutes left before the semifinal kicks off. Flags, chants, and growing excitement across the stadium set the stage for a match that promises intensity and high emotions.
Inter Miami reached the semifinals after winning their best-of-three series against Nashville SC, boosted by a red-hot Lionel Messi who scored five goals. However, Cincinnati arrives with a key edge. Although both clubs finished the regular season with 65 points, Cincinnati ranked higher due to having more wins—the primary MLS tiebreaker. That small margin not only placed them above Miami, but also granted them home-field advantage for this semifinal.
The official lineups for both teams are set for this crucial semifinal. From this showdown will emerge one of the finalists who will fight for the title, and today there’s no room to hold back—everything is on the line as they battle for a spot in the championship match.
Pat Noonan has been the head coach of FC Cincinnati since December 2021 and is widely credited for the club’s impressive turnaround. Under his management, the team won the Supporters’ Shield, and he earned the MLS Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Award in 2023.
Before taking charge in Cincinnati, Noonan built his coaching résumé as an assistant with the Philadelphia Union, the LA Galaxy, and the United States national team.
We will soon share the starting lineups for the Cincinnati vs Inter Miami live match, as well as the latest updates from the TQL Stadium. Don’t miss a single detail of the live score updates and commentary from VAVEL.
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The head-to-head record between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami shows a perfect balance. Out of 13 matches, Cincinnati has won 5, Inter Miami has also won 5, and the remaining 3 ended in draws. Both teams enter this semifinal with similar points and comparable recent performances, setting the stage for a tightly contested matchup.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Leo Messi has transformed the team and made a lasting impact on MLS. With 76 goals and 37 assists in 84 matches, he became the club’s all-time top scorer. Messi led the team to its first Leagues Cup title and reached the semifinal of the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time. In the 2025 season, he contributed 24 goals and 14 assists, including nine multi-goal games, a league record. Beyond the stats, his leadership on the field and international influence have significantly raised Inter Miami’s profile worldwide.
Evander is a Brazilian attacking midfielder known for his dribbling skills, precise passing, and accurate shooting. His professional journey includes stints at Vasco da Gama in Brazil, Midtjylland in Europe, and he currently plays for FC Cincinnati in the MLS. In the league, he has stood out for his performances, earning multiple Player of the Week honors and leading the team in goals and assists. Signed to replace Luciano Acosta, Evander has become a key figure for Cincinnati, and in the 2025 season he was the club’s highest-paid player, earning over $4.7 million annually.
Inter Miami finished third in the Eastern Conference of the MLS with 65 points, earning a sporting advantage in the first round of the playoffs. In that stage, played as a best-of-three series, the Florida-based team won the first match 3-1, lost the second 2-1, and clinched their advancement with a 4-0 victory in the decisive third game. With this result, the Herons moved on to the semifinals, aiming to continue their journey toward the final.
Cincinnati earned its spot in the semifinals after an intense series against Columbus Crew. The Ohio-based team won the first match 1-0, suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat in the second, and bounced back with a 2-1 victory in the final game, securing their place in the next stage. Finishing above Inter Miami in the standings, Cincinnati will have the home-field advantage in this single-match semifinal, which will determine one of the Eastern Conference finalists. Unlike the previous round, this semifinal will be decided in just one game, not a best-of-three series.
The Inter Miami vs Cincinnati match will be played at the TQL Stadium, located in the city of Cincinnati, United States. This stadium, inaugurated in 2000, has a capacity for 26,000 spectators. The TQL Stadium is known for its electric atmosphere during playoff matches, where fans create an intense and unforgettable experience.
Welcome to the live broadcast of Cincinnati vs Inter Miami, Semifinals of the Eastern Conference in the 2025 MLS. The match will take place at the TQL Stadium, at 5:00 PM ET. My name is Daniel Medina, and I will be your host for this match. We will bring you pre-match analysis, score updates, and live news here on VAVEL.