Without Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami failed to make an impact in the top-of-the-table MLS match in Cincinnati and lost the top spot in the Eastern Conference to their rivals
Lead by the double act of Yuya Kubo, once under contract at 1. FC Nürnberg, and a productive Luciano Acosta (one goal, two assists), FC Cincinnati outclassed Inter Miami 6:1 in the top game of the Eastern Conference of the MLS and took over the top position from their weakened rivals, who had to do without their stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez (both at the Copa America) and Jordi Alba (yellow suspension).
In front of 25,513 spectators at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, Miami had an answer to Kubo’s early opening goal (10th): Julian Gressel set up Serhiy Kryvtsov’s 1:1 in the 21st minute. After that, however, the visitors from Florida gradually lost their way in Ohio.
Acosta added for the home side in the 36th minute and assisted Pavel Bucha’s goal two minutes later. Argentinian Yamil Asad made it 4:1 in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the first half.
Valenzuela’s first goal
Erneut Kubo (57′) and youngster Gerardo Valenzuela (19) with his first MLS goal (72′) ensured the final result. Inter could almost be pitied at the end after Sergio Busquets was sent off with a yellow card and the visitors had to survive the remainder of the game short-handed.
With 48 points, Cincinnati now lead the Eastern Conference table just ahead of Miami (47), while the form curve (three wins in a row, 12 from 14) also speaks in favor of coach Pat Noonan’s team. Inter had previously won four in a row.
