Inter Miami vs Cincinnati: Overview

Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati played out a tactical goalless stalemate at Chase Stadium on a warm Florida evening, showcasing defensive resilience from both sides in this crucial MLS encounter. The 0-0 draw on July 26, 2025, represented different achievements for both teams - a rare clean sheet for the hosts and continued defensive solidity for the visitors.

Despite missing influential figures Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba through suspension (both skipping the MLS All-Star Game), Javier Mascherano's Miami side controlled possession but struggled to convert chances into goals. Luis Suárez cut a frustrated figure up front as Cincinnati's backline, marshaled by Miles Robinson and Matt Miazga, stood firm throughout the 90 minutes.

The match's defining characteristic was exceptional goalkeeping at both ends. Miami's Rocco Ríos Novo delivered a standout performance with three crucial saves, while Cincinnati's Roman Celentano registered his third consecutive clean sheet and second against Miami this season.

The most dramatic moment came in stoppage time when Cincinnati thought they had snatched victory through Miles Robinson, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up, much to the relief of the home supporters who filled Chase Stadium.

This result leaves Inter Miami on 42 points (12W-4L-6D), still chasing Philadelphia (50 points) in the Supporter's Shield race. Meanwhile, Cincinnati solidified their second-place position in the Eastern Conference standings, maintaining their reputation as one of the league's most disciplined defensive units.

The match also served as a backdrop for the unveiling of Miami's newest star signing, Rodrigo De Paul, who was presented to fans before kickoff, signaling the club's continued ambition despite this minor setback in their championship pursuit.

"We showed character today despite missing key players. A clean sheet is something we've been working toward for months, and achieving it against a strong Cincinnati side demonstrates our defensive improvement. Rocco [Ríos Novo] was exceptional today," said Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami CF head coach.

"I'm pleased with our defensive organization. That's three clean sheets in a row now, which is no small feat in this league. We perhaps could have been more clinical with our chances, but a point at Chase Stadium is valuable in our campaign," reflected Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

"We missed Messi and Alba today, that's clear, but we need to be able to find solutions without them. The team fought hard, and defensively we were solid. Now we focus on the next match," stated Sergio Busquets, who captained Inter Miami in the absence of Messi.

"That disallowed goal is frustrating, but those decisions are part of football. We've shown again we can compete with the best teams in the league away from home. Our defensive record speaks for itself," said Miles Robinson, whose late goal was ruled out.

"Miami controlled possession but we limited their clear chances. Roman [Celentano] made some important interventions when needed. This point continues our strong run," added DeAndre Yedlin, facing his former team for the second time this month.

Possession: The hosts dominated the ball with 53.7% possession compared to Cincinnati's 46.3%, reflecting Miami's commitment to their possession-based philosophy even without Messi orchestrating play.

Shooting Efficiency: While Miami outshot their opponents 13-8, Cincinnati was more accurate with 4 shots on target compared to Miami's 3, highlighting the visitors' clinical approach despite having less of the ball.

Set Pieces: Inter Miami earned 5 corner kicks to Cincinnati's 2, but failed to capitalize on these opportunities against Cincinnati's organized defense.

Discipline: The match featured a significant disparity in fouls committed - Inter Miami with 14 infractions compared to Cincinnati's notably disciplined 4, demonstrating Noonan's emphasis on defensive organization without needless fouls.

Individual Performances: Goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo was Miami's standout performer with 3 saves and a clean sheet. For Cincinnati, Roman Celentano registered his third consecutive shutout. In midfield, Sergio Busquets completed 94% of his passes (78/83), while Cincinnati's Pavel Bucha won 7 defensive duels, the most of any player on the pitch.

Defensive Solidity: Both teams showcased impressive defensive statistics - Miami recorded their first MLS clean sheet since April 19, while Cincinnati extended their defensive solidity to three consecutive matches without conceding.

Expected Goals (xG): Miami registered 1.2 xG compared to Cincinnati's 0.9 xG, suggesting the goalless scoreline was a fair reflection of the limited quality chances created by both sides.

Pre-match (6:45 PM): Rodrigo De Paul, Inter Miami's high-profile new signing, was presented to the Chase Stadium crowd, generating significant excitement ahead of kickoff despite not being eligible to play.

15th minute: First significant chance fell to Luis Suárez, whose clever movement created space in the box, but his shot was well saved by Celentano at his near post.

33rd minute: FC Cincinnati's tactical approach began paying dividends with a counter-attack that culminated in Luca Orellano forcing a spectacular diving save from Ríos Novo.

Half-time: Tactical adjustments from both coaches, with Mascherano instructing his Miami side to increase the tempo and width of their attacks after a cagey first 45 minutes ended 0-0.

62nd minute: Kei Kamara had Cincinnati's best opportunity, heading Orellano's precise cross just inches wide of the post after momentarily escaping his marker.

76th minute: Double substitution by Miami, introducing fresh legs in attack as they pushed for a winner, shifting from their 4-3-3 to a more aggressive 4-2-3-1 formation.

90+3 minutes: The match's most dramatic moment saw Miles Robinson bundle the ball into the net for Cincinnati after a scramble following a corner, only for the referee to disallow it for a pushing foul, preserving the 0-0 scoreline and ensuring the points were shared.

This goalless draw represents the sixth meeting between Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati in MLS competition, with the head-to-head record now standing at two wins for Miami, two for Cincinnati, and two draws. The teams' growing rivalry has become one of the more tactically interesting matchups in the Eastern Conference.

Their previous encounter just ten days earlier saw Cincinnati claim a 1-0 victory at TQL Stadium through a late Luca Orellano strike, making today's clean sheet particularly satisfying for Miami's defense. The teams have now played 270 consecutive minutes with just one goal between them, highlighting the defensive improvement of both sides since their higher-scoring encounters in previous seasons.

Individually, the matchup between Cincinnati's DeAndre Yedlin and Miami's Fafà Picault on Miami's left flank proved particularly fascinating, with the former Miami player Yedlin using his knowledge of his old team's tactics to good effect, winning 6 of 9 defensive duels against his former teammates.

The midfield battle between veterans Sergio Busquets and Brian Anunga showcased contrasting styles - Busquets controlled tempo with his distribution (94% pass completion), while Anunga's disruptive presence (5 interceptions) prevented Miami from establishing consistent rhythm in the final third.

Historically, this fixture has produced an average of 2.3 goals per game, making this 0-0 draw a statistical anomaly in their head-to-head record. Both managers have evolved their tactical approaches since their first meeting in 2023, with defensive organization now taking precedence over the more open, attacking styles previously employed.

This growing rivalry between two ambitious Eastern Conference clubs continues to develop, with both teams likely to feature prominently in this season's playoff picture.

Following this goalless draw, Inter Miami CF maintains their position in third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 6 draws, accumulating 42 points. They now sit 8 points behind Supporter's Shield leaders Philadelphia (50 points), with the gap remaining unchanged after Philadelphia's own draw earlier in the weekend.

FC Cincinnati solidified their hold on second place in the East with this valuable away point, moving to 44 points from 22 matches. Their defensive record continues to be the foundation of their success, having conceded the fewest goals in the conference (17).

The result keeps both teams firmly in playoff contention, with Miami maintaining a 12-point cushion above the playoff line. Cincinnati's position looks even more secure with a 14-point advantage over the teams outside the automatic qualification spots.

With approximately 12 matches remaining in the regular season, both teams remain realistic contenders for the Supporter's Shield, though Philadelphia's consistency continues to set the pace. Miami's games in hand (one fewer played than Philadelphia) could prove crucial in the final standings.

In the broader MLS landscape, both teams have established themselves among the elite, with Cincinnati's defensive solidity (7 clean sheets this season) complementing Miami's attacking prowess (42 goals scored, second only to Los Angeles FC).