FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami had quality chances to take the lead, but neither team prevailed in the 0-0 draw.
On the evening that Inter Miami CF introduced another notable player to their roster filled with international stars, with Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul being presented to the crowd at Chase Stadium, FC Cincinnati was gearing up for a very different match.
The Orange and Blue arrived in South Florida, set to face the Herons in a contest that saw midfielder Lionel Messi in a suite, watching alongside De Paul and defender Jordi Alba — among others — out in the critical Supporters’ Shield race battle.
Still, FC Cincinnati managed only a 0-0 draw in a chippy match that both sides created opportunities to take the lead on July 26.
The Orange and Blue dropped to second in the Supporters’ Shield race, with the Philadelphia Union moving a point ahead of them.
Messi and Alba missed the fixture because their absences from the All-Star Game on July 23 constituted a one-game suspension. While that forced typical midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi to fill in at left back, the 19-year-old completed the most tackles and won the most duels, according to FotMob.
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati had chances
The Orange and Blue nearly won the contest in stoppage time when defender Miles Robinson scored a header from a set piece delivered by Evander, but a foul was called to deny the goal.
“We did a good job to create a moment there to potentially find the winner, but it wasn’t meant to be,” Noonan said.
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati both generated 1.19 expected goals on 21 total shots.
Earlier in the half, a follow-up attempt on an Evander strike by substitute forward Sérgio Santos was saved off the goal line by Inter Miami defender Gonzalo Luján.
One of Inter Miami’s most dangerous chances came in the 11th minute as goalkeeper Roman Celentano kept the scoreline level when Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez served a cross to an open forward Fafà Picault, whose point-blank header was denied.
Soon after, FC Cincinnati had a quality chance of their own when midfielder Evander unselfishly laid the ball off to forward Kei Kamara, but the 40-year-old rolled his shot wide.
Coach Pat Noonan criticized his attacking group postgame, noting that they made poor decisions and committed turnovers.
“Both teams had had their chances to find a goal or two tonight, but the final third play let both teams down,” Noonan said.
Celentano was vital for FC Cincinnati in the few chances he had to deny, making three saves.
Defender Matt Miazga also played a role in keeping the clean sheet, leading the group with 12 defensive actions. Robinson trailed him with seven.
“It’s about staying disciplined and communicating, being a unit, moving together, organizing and making sure that we’re disciplined,” said Miazga of the recent clean sheets.
Leagues Cup is on deck
FC Cincinnati’s next three matches will be against Liga MX clubs from Mexico as they compete in the Leagues Cup.
The Orange and Blue will kick off the newly formatted tournament, which is exclusively held on United States soil, against five-time Liga MX champions C.F. Monterrey on July 31 before facing FC Juárez and Chivas Guadalajara.
Coach Pat Noonan said FC Cincinnati won’t change their approach much while facing the Mexican clubs, but will look to maintain momentum before returning to MLS play on August 10 against Charlotte FC.
“We’re going after these games the same way we’ve been going at these league games, and that’s to continue to progress, to continue to perform well, and we’ll take it one game at a time,” Noonan said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati draws with Messi-less Inter Miami despite late chance
Category: General Sports
