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Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati player ratings
Contents
- FC Cincinnati get revenge for US Open Cup loss
- Lionel Messi plays first minutes since September, but can’t save hosts
- Defeat ends playoff hopes, Miami winless in five vs Cincinnati
Inter Miami Player Ratings: Callender kept them in it
Drake Callender 8/10 – as mentioned in preview he needed to be at his best
DeAndre Yedlin 6.5/10 – strong on flank
Sergey Kryvstov 6/10 – unfamiliar role in first half, did well
Tomás Avilés 6.5/10 – hit bar early on, replaced by Messi
Kamal Miller 7/10 – typically resolute showing
Noah Allen 7/10 – grew into game, brave
Benjamin Cremaschi 7/10 – a threat all evening, tireless
David Ruiz 6.5/10 – gave team extra energy in good first half showing
Sergio Busquets 6.5/10 – caught out for goal
Facundo Farias 7/10 – lively from the off, one of his best recent games
Josef Martínez 7.5/10 – one shot off the post and created chances
Substitutes
Lionel Messi 7/10 – showed magic in flashes but wasn’t enough
Jean Mota 6.5/10 – linked up well, needs more minutes
Nicolas Stefanelli – N/A
Robert Taylor – N/A
FC Cincinnati Player Ratings: Hagglund and Miazga key
Roman Celentano 7/10 – unflappable
Santiago Arias 6.5/10 – wasteful in possession
Nick Hagglund 7.5/10 – commanding at back
Matt Miazga 7.5/10 – captain’s performance from big man
Ian Murphy 6.5/10 – stuck to task well
Álvaro Barreal 7.5/10 – the wing back was the only one to break the Callender wall
Junior Moreno 7/10 – tidy and gave team balance
Obinna Nwobodo 5.5/10 – Nigerian struggled with tempo, was booked
Luciano Acosta 7/10 – a bag of tricks, great work rate too
Sergio Santos 6/10 – two big chances early, subbed at HT
Brandon Vázquez 6.5/10 – couldn’t isolate his opponent one-on-one
Substitutes
Aaron Boupendza 7/10 – added attacking impetus but poor decision-making
Yuya Kubo 7/10 – fresh legs to help the team
Bret Halsey – N/A
Dominique Badji – N/A
Malik Pinto – N/A
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati Match Summary and Highlights
The sold out crowd in South Florida would have been expecting a full throttle game from two of the most attacking sides in the league. However, both managers were cautious and played with three central defenders – wary of each other’s offensive toolbox.
That set up worked better for the hosts, who went into the break feeling they were worth more than the 0-0 scoreline. The Herons had hit the woodwork three times in the first period, Cincy threatened in flashes on the break.
👋 capitán pic.twitter.com/1letqi0e4T
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 8, 2023
Cincy started the second half brightly, and the home fans were concerned that a repeat of the Chicago Fire capitulation was on the cards. But on 55 minutes they were in raptures as Lionel Messi stepped onto the field for the first time since September 20th.
Messi’s introduction changed the tactics and the game became more end-to-end, which began to tilt in the visitor’s favour. Callender was called upon constantly as Cincinnati knocked on the door.
Eventually it was Barreal who broke the resistance, tucking away a rebound after the Inter Miami goalkeeper had pulled off another big save. The crowd hoped for another Messi miracle but it wasn’t to be, now they have to wait until March for new campaign.
Man of the Match: Drake Callender
Drake Callender pulled off a near perfect performance on his 26th birthday, to keep Inter Miami in the game especially in the 2nd half. The US international made 5 saves in total, most of which were from chances inside the box.
There was no doubt he would have a busy night against the side ranked 3rd in the league for xG created. With talents such as Luciano Acosta, who was buzzing around Callender’s penalty area all night, it was likely the visitors would have their chances.
A fine display from the Californian kept them at bay and on another night it could have been a match-winning performance.
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