Inter Miami and Cincinnati draw 2-2 in dramatic second-half comeback

Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati played to a 2-2 draw at Nu Stadium on October 28, 2026, in a matchday 32 MLS regular season contest. The first half ended goalless as both teams prioritized defensive structure, though Inter Miami dominated possession at 58.6% to Cincinnati's 41.4%. Lionel Messi, who started on the bench due to prior agreement with coach Kily González to manage workload following a trip to Spain for the Princess of Asturias Award, received a yellow card in the 44th minute during the cagey opening period.

The match came alive in the second half. Inter Miami made two tactical changes at halftime, introducing Telasco Segovia and Ian Fray for Matías Galarza and Sergio Reguilón. Luis Suárez broke the deadlock in the 61st minute with a right-footed curler to the top-right corner, assisted by Casemiro from inside the left side of the box. This was Casemiro's first assist since joining the club in summer, and Suárez's 16th goal of the regular season.

Cincinnati responded with dramatic intensity. In the 80th minute, Kenji Mboma Dem equalized, set up by Evander. Six minutes later, Samuel Gidi put the visitors ahead 2-1 with a finish from Tyler Barlow's assist. Inter Miami mounted a late rescue as substitute Riquelme Fillipi, introduced in the 83rd minute for Germán Berterame, received a pass from Rodrigo De Paul in the 90th minute and finished low into the bottom-right corner to secure a 2-2 draw. This was Fillipi's first goal for Inter Miami, while De Paul recorded his 16th assist of the season—leading the team in that category.

Miami accumulated three yellow cards (Messi, Segovia, and Suárez), while Cincinnati picked up ten fouls compared to Miami's nine. Inter Miami finished with 14 shots to Cincinnati's 13. The result leaves Inter Miami third in the Eastern Conference with 56 points and keeps their focus on securing home-field advantage and a berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. Cincinnati, fighting for a playoff place, gains momentum with the point. Inter Miami's next fixture is away to New England Revolution on November 1.