Miami Falls Short With 2-2 Draw as Cincinnati Equalizes Late

Inter Miami ended their quest for second place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference with a 2-2 draw against Cincinnati on Wednesday night.

Substitute Riquelme Fillipi scored in the final minutes to salvage a point for the visitors after Cincinnati had taken the lead earlier in the second half. The result places Miami two points behind the New England Revolution, who beat the New York Red Bulls 3-2 in their own match.

Miami hosts New England on Sunday, where a win or a draw is required to keep their playoff positioning viable. Nashville SC currently leads the conference and claimed the first Supporters’ Shield in their history during the previous weekend.

The first half produced little action as Miami controlled possession and completed more passes than Cincinnati, yet failed to create clear chances. The deadlock broke in the 61st minute when Rodrigo De Paul moved the ball to Casemiro in midfield.

Casemiro passed to Luis Suarez just inside the penalty area. Suarez controlled the ball, turned, and curled the shot toward the far top corner. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar before entering the net, giving Miami the lead.

Cincinnati equalized in the 80th minute through Kenji Mboma Dem, who beat several defenders on the right before curling the ball to the far post. Samuel Gidi put Cincinnati ahead six minutes later by striking a left-footed shot past Dayne St Clair from the edge of the area at Nu Stadium.

Fillipi restored parity for Miami by cutting back toward the corner of the penalty area and curling the ball through two defenders into the net. Suarez and Evander both had late chances to win the game, but appeals for a handball were rejected, ending the match level.