MLS

MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to visit FC Cincinnati on Saturday 

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Inter Miami CF (6W-5D-9L, 23 points) will play on the road for a second consecutive match this week when it visits FC Cincinnati (3W-8D-9L, 17 points) on Saturday, Sept. 4. The matchup at TQL Stadium is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

Where to Watch

The match will be broadcast live regionally on CBS4, CW34, Unimás and the Inter Miami App. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.

Positive Run of Results

Inter Miami CF will carry on with MLS regular season action with its visit to TQL Stadium this weekend after a hard-fought 0-0 draw on the road against Orlando City SC on Friday, Aug. 27 in its last fixture.

The Herons will aim to extend the recent run of positive results - with the team currently on a three-match unbeaten streak and unbeaten in seven of the team’s past eight matches.

Perfect Record Against FC Cincinnati

On Saturday, Inter Miami will take on FC Cincinnati for the second time this season and third time in Club history, having won both previous meetings between the sides; Inter Miami clinched a playoff berth in the 2020 season after beating Cincinnati 2-1 at home on Nov. 8 2020, and won 2-3 on the road on May 16, 2021 in the historic first-ever match played at TQL Stadium.

Team of the Week Honors for Nick Marsman

Goalkeeper Nick Marsman had a standout performance against Orlando in Inter Miami's last match, including stopping a penalty in the first half, and was named to the bench of the MLS Team of the week presented by Audi for Week 22 of the 2021 season. Marsman also recorded his first clean sheet as an Inter Miami player in the match.

Familiar Faces

The match may also feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for Inter Miami and Cincinnati players. Notably, Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville and Cincinnati’s head coach Jaap Stam were teammates during their playing careers, with the pair sharing the pitch in 81 matches for Manchester United.

Brek Shea may face former teammate Geoff Cameron, having shared on the pitch in 10 matches with the USMNT and two times in English Premier League fixtures with Stoke City earlier throughout their careers. Defender Kelvin Leerdam may face former Feyenoord teammate Kamohelo Mokotjo, who he played alongside from 2010 to 2013 in various levels of the club. Leerdam may also face former rival Przemysław Tytoń, after facing each other five times in Eredivisie, the Dutch first division, during Leerdam’s tenure with Feyenoord. In addition, Inter Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman may face fellow shot stopper Kenneth Vermeer after playing against him in an Eredivisie match in 2016 during his time as a Twente FC player.

A series of reunions may also be in the cards for a host of Argentine players on both squads. Inter Miami Leandro González Pírez may have a head to head with former teammate Brandon Vázquez. The two shared the pitch together for 33 matches during their time with Atlanta United. LGP may also face rival Luciano Acosta, who he’s faced in the Argentine Superliga, Liga MX, and previous MLS matches. Federico Higuaín may also face Acosta once again, who he played against in seven games during his stint with Columbus Crew SC.

Midfielder Jay Chapman may face Canadian teammate Nick Hagglund, who he played alongside during his time at Toronto FC throughout various levels of the club from 2015 to 2018. Shea could also have a head-to-head against Hagglund once more, after facing him in nine matches throughout his career.

Leerdam and Shea may face Costa Rican international rival Ronald Matarrita, who they played against in an 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup match with Suriname and an internacional friendly with the United States, respectively.

Lastly, goalkeeper John McCarthy may face former Philadelphia Union teammate Haris Medunjanin. The duo played alongside each other in 2017 for 11 matches with the team. McCarthy may also face goalkeeper Cody Cropper after playing against him in the USL Championship during his time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Midfielder Gregore may face Brazilian rival Brenner, who he played against in Série A during his time Esporte Clube Bahia. Additionally, Victor Ulloa could face his former side, as he played for FC Cincinnati in 2019.

FC Cincinnati's Record

FC Cincinnati enters this weekend’s fixture after falling 3-2 on the road against the Columbus Crew on Friday, Aug. 27. In 2021, Cincinnati has recorded three wins, eight draws and nine losses to date, with midfielder Acosta, who has registered four goals and six assists, and forward Brenner, who has tallied five goals and two assists, leading the team this campaign.