Messi and Alba in Doubt as Inter Miami Prepares for Key Clash with FC Cincinnati

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Saturday night’s showdown between Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati promises high stakes and star power, if the stars show up.

Two of the Eastern Conference’s top-five clubs will face off at Chase Stadium, but the availability of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba remains in question for Inter Miami ahead of the crucial clash.

Cincinnati (15-6-3, 48 points) arrives with confidence, having blanked Miami 3-0 just nine days ago. That win, followed by a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, catapulted the Orange and Blue to the top of the Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami (12-4-5, 41 points), meanwhile, responded to that Cincinnati defeat with a resounding 5-1 win over the New York Red Bulls. The Herons currently sit fifth in the East, with an advantage of three games in hand on each of the top four teams.

But Miami’s lineup remains in flux.

Neither Messi nor Alba featured in Wednesday night’s MLS All-Star Game in Columbus. Under league rules, players who skip the showcase without an official injury report or league-approved exemption face a one-match suspension, though the league has not yet announced any disciplinary action.

“Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Wednesday. “So we have to manage that as a league. At the same time, we do have rules, and we have to manage through that as well.”

Cincinnati’s attack has been led by Evander, who torched Miami for two goals in their previous meeting and captained the MLS All-Stars to a 3-1 win over the Liga MX All-Stars. He also shattered the record for points in the All-Star Skills Challenge and enters Saturday with 23 goal contributions, third-most in the league.

“Just playing and enjoying the moment,” Evander said during the Apple TV broadcast. “I was kind of focused on the targets, and I did it.”

Midfielder Luca Orellano remains another key figure for Cincinnati, having scored the decisive goal in their win over Salt Lake. However, the visitors will be without Ahoueke Denkey, Obinna Nwobodo (both leg injuries) and Yuya Kubo (ankle).

For Miami, goalkeeper Oscar Ustari remains sidelined, meaning Rocco Ríos Novo is expected to start again in net. Defender Maxi Falcón is also out due to yellow card accumulation.

With playoff positioning on the line and stars possibly sidelined, Saturday’s matchup is shaping up as both a test of depth and a potential preview of what’s to come in the postseason.

“These are the types of games that define a season,” Evander said.