{"id":268276,"date":"2026-05-12T17:36:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/268276\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T17:36:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T17:36:32","slug":"fc-cincinnati-vs-inter-miami-cf-what-to-know-for-evander-messi-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/268276\/","title":{"rendered":"FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami CF: What to know for Evander, Messi showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A star-filled matchup awaits in Matchday 13, as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/fc-cincinnati\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">FC Cincinnati<\/a> welcome defending MLS Cup presented by Audi champions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/inter-miami-cf\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Inter Miami CF<\/a> to TQL Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>6th in Eastern Conference<br \/>\n16 points, 4W-4L-4D<\/p>\n<p>FC Cincinnati are unbeaten in six straight games (two wins, four draws) after a slow start, steadying the ship as the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-world-cup\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> pause fast approaches.<\/p>\n<p>Most recently, they battled to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-regular-season\/2026\/matches\/cltvscin-05-09-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2-2 draw<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/charlotte-fc\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Charlotte FC<\/a> that featured goals from Designated Players <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/evander\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Evander<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/kevin-denkey\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/a>. It was their fifth straight game with at least two goals scored.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Back in preseason, the Orange &amp; Blue were largely viewed as MLS Cup and Supporters&#8217; Shield contenders. Can they back up those claims in this measuring stick matchup?\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Evander: One of MLS&#8217;s top No. 10s, the dynamic Brazilian is heating up. He scored a vintage golazo at Charlotte after netting a hat trick at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/chicago-fire-fc\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago<\/a> the week prior.<br \/>\nK\u00e9vin Denkey: The club-record signing has a team-leading seven goals in his second MLS season. He arrived ahead of 2025 from Belgian top-flight side Cercle Brugge.<br \/>\nMiles Robinson: A two-time MLS All-Star and MLS Best XI selection, the center back has returned from injury as he pushes for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/us-men-s-national-team\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">USMNT<\/a> roster spot at the World Cup.<br \/>\nPavel Bucha: Will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/pavel-bucha\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bucha<\/a> feature at the World Cup this summer? The versatile midfielder was a surprise call-up for Czechia&#8217;s successful UEFA playoff campaign in March.<br \/>\nBryan Ram\u00edrez: The Ecuadorian winger has started all 11 games in his debut MLS season, and is also looking to make a World Cup roster push.<\/p>\n<p>After weathering an injury wave, Cincy are largely back to full health. That is music to head coach Pat Noonan&#8217;s ears.<\/p>\n<p>3rd in Eastern Conference<br \/>\n22 points, 6W-2L-4D<\/p>\n<p>Inter Miami recaptured some good vibes last weekend, overpowering a shorthanded <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/toronto-fc\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Toronto FC<\/a> in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-regular-season\/2026\/matches\/torvsmia-05-09-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4-2 road victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>That match featured 1g\/2a appearances from superstars <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/lionel-messi\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lionel Messi<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/rodrigo-de-paul\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>, who both were recently named to Argentina&#8217;s preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>Messi&#8217;s latest performance made him the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/history-lionel-messi-shatters-mls-100-goal-contributions-record\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">fastest player to 100 goal contributions<\/a> (59g\/41a) in league history. He reached that mark in 64 matches, shattering the previous record held by Toronto legend Sebastian Giovinco (95 matches).<\/p>\n<p>With that momentum, Miami chase their seventh road win of the year against the same club they eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-cup-playoffs\/2025\/matches\/cinvsmia-11-23-2025\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4-0 win<\/a>).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lionel Messi:\u00a0The GOAT&#8217;s bid for a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award is going strong, as he&#8217;s poured in 13 goal contributions in 11 games (9g\/4a).\u00a0<br \/>\nRodrigo De Paul: The all-action midfielder was Miami&#8217;s catalyst in Toronto, opening the scoring with a sensational volley. He&#8217;s up to 3g\/5a this year.<br \/>\nGerm\u00e1n Berterame: The Mexican international striker hopes to feature at the 2026 World Cup this summer. He&#8217;s boosted his case recently, scoring three goals in Miami&#8217;s last six games.<br \/>\nSergio Reguil\u00f3n: The former Premier League and LaLiga left back returned from injury last weekend and scored his first MLS goal. Can he stay healthy and gain momentum?<br \/>\nDayne St. Clair: A Canadian goalkeeper battle unfolds each matchday in MLS. Alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/orlando-city\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Orlando<\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/maxime-crepeau\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Maxime Cr\u00e9peau<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/dayne-st-clair\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">St. Clair<\/a> is vying for the CanMNT&#8217;s starting role at the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>Interim coach Guillermo Hoyos has opted for a front three of Messi, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/german-berterame\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Berterame<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/luis-suarez\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> in recent matches. Will he stick with that veteran trio?<\/p>\n<p>The market appears to back Inter Miami to get points for this road trip \u2013 nearly 50% to win and 25% to draw. Will Cincy prove everyone wrong?<\/p>\n<p>Live trade MLS games and props on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/polymarket.com\/sports\/mls\/games\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Polymarket<\/a>. Current as of Wednesday, May 13 at 12 pm ET.<\/p>\n<p>If Inter Miami can contain Evander and control the midfield, they&#8217;ll like their chances of punishing a Cincinnati defense that&#8217;s conceded multiple goals in four of their last five games.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A star-filled matchup awaits in Matchday 13, as\u00a0FC Cincinnati welcome defending MLS Cup presented by Audi champions Inter&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":268277,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[115170,17158,5429,123,125,124,76891,4959],"class_list":["post-268276","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-cinvsmia-05-13-2026","tag-fc-cincinnati","tag-inter-miami-cf","tag-miami","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-news","tag-priority-match","tag-sendtonews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268276","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268276"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268276\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268276"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268276"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268276"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}