Riquelme Filippi scored a brilliant 90th-minute equaliser to salvage a point for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw with FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night. The result damages the Floridians’ hopes of securing second spot in the Eastern Conference.
Match Action and Late Drama
Fillipi’s first MLS goal helped Miami avoid just their seventh league defeat of the season, but they still slipped to third place after the New England Revolution defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-2. Luis Suárez had given Miami the lead just after the hour mark with a trademark curling strike. Following the goal, Miami sat back and allowed the visitors to take control of the match, leading to goals from Kenji Mboma Dem and Samuel Gidi that swung the contest in Cincinnati’s favour. After Filippi levelled the score late on, Miami still needed a brave block from defender Ian Fray to deny Evander during stoppage time.
Miami boss Kily González expressed frustration over the team’s performance, stating that mistakes were made due to anxiety in the second half, while the first half lacked sufficient aggressiveness. He noted that the team’s fate remains in their own hands, but significant improvements are necessary regarding how they analyse and play the game.
Messi’s Performance and Play-off Picture
Lionel Messi returned to the starting line-up but delivered a quiet performance on the periphery of the game, aside from receiving a yellow card for a clash with Cincinnati defender Samuel Gidi. González explained that the match required many individual duels, one-on-one situations, and play on the flanks, areas where Miami lacked the clinical sharpness and execution they had prepared during the week.
Meanwhile, the draw leaves FC Cincinnati in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and firmly in play-off contention. Miami will travel to visit New England on Sunday.
