MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns 2-3 Victory Over FC Cincinnati

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By Inter Miami CF

May 17^th, 2021

MATCH RECAP: Inter Miami CF Earns 2-3 Victory Over FC Cincinnati

Inter Miami CF (2W-2D-2L, 8 points) earned 2-3 victory over FC Cincinnati (0W-1D-3L, 1 point) in the debut of Cincinnati’s soccer-specific TQL Stadium. The team was led to victory by a brace from Gonzalo Higuaín, who was voted Heineken Man of the Match, and a goal from Brek Shea.

Lineup Notes

Inter Miami opened the match with two first-time starters in the XI as Boca Raton, Fla. native Sami Guediri slotted in at left back while Federico Higuaín lined up in midfield.

Match Action

Inter Miami was unfazed by the occasion, starting the match on the front foot from the opening whistle. Five minutes in, a free kick routine saw Federico Higuaín tap the ball to Gonzalo Higuaín, who blasted a long-range shot that drew a save from Kenneth Vermeer. The combination between the brothers foreshadowed things to come in the half.

In the seventh minute, the visitors secured the opening goal. Lewis Morgan played a pass back to Gregore on the right wing, who struck a pinpoint cross to Shea at the back post. Shea lunged and hit a right-footed shot through the keeper’s legs for the opener. The goal was the first ever scored at TQL Stadium and marked Shea’s first of the season and Gregore’s second assist. Lewis Morgan registered a secondary assist on the play, his second assist of the season.

Cincinnati put pressure on John McCarthy on a pair of occasions beginning at the 30-minute mark, but the goalkeeper was up to the challenge; first, Alvaro Barreal struck a powerful long-range shot that McCarthy dove to deny. Minutes later, Barreal again tested McCarthy, but a reaction save kept the hosts scoreless.

In the 38th minute, Inter Miami doubled its lead; Federico Higuaín played a long ball to Morgan who did well to hold the ball up. After a challenge from a defender, the ball came back to Guediri, who hit a long pass to Federico, who played a backheel flick onto the path of Gonzalo Higuaín. The striker then cut past a defender and calmly slotted a left-footed shot under the onrushing keeper for a goal and a 0-2 lead. The goal marked Gonzalo Higuaín’s third of the season, Federico Higuaín’s second assist and Guediri’s first MLS assist. The team maintained its two-goal advantage heading into half time.

Cincinnati, however, responded to open the scoring in the second half when a long ball over the top found Barreal, who chipped a shot into the back of the net to make it 1-2 in the 59th minute.

Inter Miami made three changes in the 20 minutes following the goal, first bringing on Joevin Jones for Guediri and later bringing on Julián Carranza for his season debut alongside Jay Chapman; Federico Higuaín and Shea exited in their place.

In the 82nd minute, Cincinnati scored an equalizing goal; a corner delivered to the far post was met by Nick Hagglund, who rose up and powered a header into the back of the net.

Just minutes later, Inter Miami reclaimed its lead; Gregore won possession in his own half and played a pass upfield. Gonzalo Higuaín claimed possession and played a through ball to Morgan down the right wing, who cut a pass back to Higuaín in the box. The striker met the pass and powered it into the back of the net to take a 2-3 lead. The goal brought his tally to four goals on the season in five matches, leading the team.

Inter Miami made two final changes that helped the team secure its lead through the final whistle, bringing on Christian Makoun for his season debut alongside Rodolfo Pizarro, while subbing out Gonzalo Higuaín and Morgan. The visitors left with a 2-3 victory in the first-ever match at TQL Stadium.

Heineken Man of the Match

Gonzalo Higuaín's standout performance earned him Heineken Man of the Match honors. The Argentine striker scored a brace in the match, including an 85th minute winner. The goals brought his tally up to four on the season, the most on the team.

While Higuaín was voted Man of the Match, head coach Phil Neville also made sure to give a special mention to John McCarthy, highlighting his pivotal contributions in the victory, including a pair of diving saves in the first half.

Season Debuts

In addition to Guediri and Federico Higuaín making their first starts, Julián Carranza and Christian Makoun came on in the second half to make their first appearances of 2021.

Post-Match Reaction

"The players took brilliant responsibility. It's a big moment for them as a group," said head coach Phil Neville. "Ultimately at 2-2 with six or seven minutes to go, the big players stood up and won us the game. The main focus for me the next six to eight months is building a culture, building a spirit and building togetherness. I’m super proud of them [the players], but also we still have a lot of work to do. There’s great expectations for this team and every game is a big game for this club, and we need to accept that and rise to it and enjoy that challenge. I hope that we’re beginning to do that."

Up Next

Inter Miami returns to action on Saturday, May 22, when it faces Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. The match will air on UniMás and TUDN at 6 p.m. ET.

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