Lionel Messi led Inter Miami CF to its first trophy in club history, and sights are set on number two. With the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals upon us, we look at FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami odds and Lionel Messi props, and we offer a few predictions for Wednesday’s encounter.
Inter Miami became the first MLS team to win the Leagues Cup with a 1-1 (10-9 on PKs) result against Nashville SC last Saturday night. Lionel Messi lifted his 44th trophy as a professional and was presented with the top scorer and best player awards. Throughout his first month in the U.S., Messi cashed his anytime goalscorer props, as well as several times as the first goalscorer.
The next opponent for the former FC Barcelona and PSG star is FC Cincinnati, undefeated at home this season, in the semifinals of the domestic cup. Unlike the Leagues Cup where ties went straight to a penalty shootout, a tie in Cincy after regulation would go to a traditional extra time of two 15-minute periods then PKs, if necessary.
Odds for FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami U.S. Open Cup Semi
Here are FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami betting lines found at the best sports betting apps.
The moneyline odds here reflect the three-way bet, where a wager on either team settles as a loss if the game ends in a tie. As of Monday morning, BetMGM offers +260 odds on the draw, though it’s always advisable to shop around several sportsbooks to find the best odds for the bet you wish to make.
Rather than the three-way line, you may also bet on the outright winner, where extra time and PKs count toward the result of the wager.
SOCCER · Wed (8/23) @ 7:00 pm ET
| Inter Miami | at | FC Cincinnati |
| TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | ||
FC Cincinnati Leagues Cup Roster, Injuries & Betting News
After years of building a college atmosphere while playing in the USL Championship at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium, FC Cincinnati joined MLS in 2019 and immediately brought one of the best home-field advantages to the league. The team moved to TQL stadium in 2021, becoming an important ground for U.S. men’s national team as well, and are undefeated at home this season.
Following three forgettable seasons as its introduction to the top flight, FC Cincy qualified for the first time for the MLS Cup Playoffs last year. The team holds the best overall record in MLS (15W-3L-6T) as it hopes to convert a good season into its first one with silverware.
Legendary MLS player Pat Noonan was appointed as the club’s head coach ahead of the 2022 season and has brought stability to a club that had rotated five coaches, including interims, during its early years. Noonan was previously an assistant at the Philadelphia Union before taking his first head coaching job, and one that looks to be on a fruitful path.
Roster
Cincinnati’s roster begins with team captain and MVP candidate Luciano “Lucho” Acosta. The Argentine led MLS last year with 19 assists and earlier in his career formed a dynamic duo at D.C. United with Manchester United great Wayne Rooney. The 29-year-old from Buenos Aires, who has close ties to Messi, leads all Cincy players with 12 league goals and 8 assists.
U.S. men’s national team forward Brandon Vazquez has 10 goals across all competitions, including two earlier in Open Cup play. He scored his first career hat-trick as part of five goals during the Leagues Cup and scored another three goals with the USMNT during this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. With reports of interest from Bundesliga teams, Vazquez’s stock is at an all-time high and will be the prime scoring target in this game.
U.S. defender Matt Miazga could return to the backline after missing the 0-3 loss to Columbus over the weekend. Another Argentine, Álvaro Barreal could be a wild card in the Cincy offense as the home team looks to hand Messi and Co. their first defeat.
Injuries
Doubtful: Dominique Badji (quad), Yerson Mosquera (leg)
Out: Stiven Jimenez (lower leg fracture)
Inter Miami Leagues Cup Roster, Injuries & Betting News
Inter Miami CF is the hottest MLS team since the arrival of Lionel Messi. Despite holding the worst league record, a month-long pause for the Leagues Cup, an international tournament involving MLS and Liga MX clubs, gave the Florida side an opportunity to reset its season by winning its first major trophy and a berth to next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Now the club owned by David Beckham and the Mas brothers is on a quest to pick up as much silverware as they can with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in their ranks. Messi was not the only addition as two other former FC Barcelona stars, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, joined the fray, and an additional $15.5 million was spent on transfers for young South American players.
Miami also made a coaching change after starting the season with Manchester United great Phil Neville at the helm. Poor results, and Messi’s familiarity with former Barcelona and Argentina manager Gerardo Martino made way for a change. It also doesn’t hurt that Martino won an MLS Cup in 2018 with Atlanta United.
Roster
Aside from the ex-Barcelona trio, Miami has players who have found success in MLS. Josef Martinez had the best season of any MLS goalscorer when he set a new record for most goals in a season on his way to winning the 2018 Golden Boot.
Finnish forward Robert Taylor has seen new life, bagging goals and assists with Messi’s arrival. Young star Benjamin Cremaschi, 18, was pivotal in the comeback over Dallas, and forward Leonardo Camapana has shined in the past for Miami.
On defense, Miami counts on the likes of 2022 MLS All-Star and Canada national team defender Kamal Miller plus U.S. men’s national team and former Newcastle United right-back DeAndre Yedlin. Rising goalkeeper Drake Callender is the man between the sticks and a player who will likely continue to receive U.S. call-ups for his recent play.
Injuries
Doubtful: Ryan Sailor (hamstring), Robbie Robinson (calf)
Out: Gregore (Lisfranc), Franco Negri (ACL), Jean Mota (LCL), Corentin Jean (ACL), Nicolas Stefanelli (leg), Ian Fray (ACL)
Lionel Messi Goalscorer Props + More FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami Wagering Options
Below is a sampling of props for Wednesday’s FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup game. Lionel Messi is an odds-on favorite to score, which he has done in each of his appearances so far. There are plus-money odds in betting on Messi scoring first o last, and he has paid off on at least one of those in six of his last seven matches.
Anytime Goalscorer (BetMGM):
- Lionel Messi (MIA) -165
- Josef Martinez (MIA) +150
- Aaron Boupendza (CIN) +210
- Brandon Vazquez (CIN) +210
- Leonardo Campana (MIA) +220
- Luciano Acosta (CIN) +230
- Robert Taylor (MIA) +260
- Yuya Kubo (CIN) +300
- Facundo Farias (MIA) +350
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) +350
- Alvaro Barreal (CIN) +400
- Obinna Nwobodo (CIN) +650
- David Ruiz (MIA) +750
- Jordi Alba (MIA) +800
- Matt Miazga (CIN) +1000
- Sergio Busquets (MIA) +1100
- DeAndre Yedlin (MIA) +1600
First Goalscorer (BetMGM):
- Lionel Messi (MIA) +275
- Josef Martinez (MIA) +500
- Aaron Boupendza (CIN) +650
- Brandon Vazquez (CIN) +650
- Leonardo Campana (MIA) +650
- Luciano Acosta (CIN) +700
- Robert Taylor (MIA) +700
- Yuya Kubo (CIN) +850
- Facundo Farias (MIA) +900
- Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA) +900
- Alvaro Barreal (CIN) +1000
- Obinna Nwobodo (CIN) +1600
- David Ruiz (MIA) +1800
- Jordi Alba (MIA) +2000
- Matt Miazga (CIN) +2500
- Sergio Busquets (MIA) +2800
- DeAndre Yedlin (MIA) +5000
To Qualify (Caesars):
- FC Cincinnati +120
- Inter Miami CF -162
Both Teams To Score (Caesars):
- Yes -210
- No +165
Correct Score (FanDuel):
- Cincinnati 1-0: +1300
- Cincinnati 2-0: +1700
- Cincinnati 2-1: +1000
- Cincinnati 3-0: +2900
- Miami 1-0: +1200
- Miami 2-0: +1400
- Miami 2-1: +850
- Miami 3-0: +2400
- 0-0: +1800
- 1-1: +750
- 2-2: +1100
- 3-3: +3200
Over/Under Total Goals (FanDuel):
- Over 0.5 goals -4500, Under 0.5 goals: +870
- Over 1.5 goals -750, Under 1.5 goals: +400
- Over 2.5 goals -205, Under 2.5 goals: +144
- Over 3.5 goals +116, Under 3.5 goals: -160
- Over 4.5 goals +270, Under 4.5 goals: -430
Messi to score (BetMGM):
- Anytime Goalscorer: -165
- First Goalscorer: +275
- Last Goalscorer: +275
- Two or more goals: +350
- Three or more goals: +1100
- Messi to score first and Miami win: +350
- Messi to score anytime and Miami win: +125
- Messi to score anytime and Miami loss: +900
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami Prediction
Similar to Miami’s other road trips, this could get complicated for the visitors, even with Messi. Nashville and Cincinnati have similar game atmospheres, so while the premium will be to watch the Argentine great, the home-field advantage should be there for the Lions.
Of course, Messi is on a tear and that run doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Cincy is coming off a tough rivalry loss in Columbus and needs a big night from Acosta and Vazquez.
Miami on the other hand, could win with a sub-par showing from Messi. Add on a great midfielder like Busquets, going under the radar for most, and Miami is almost unbeatable.
Expect a win, unless Cincy can keep things tight as Nashville did. Even then, it’ll be a tough out.
Here are a few bets that are worth considering:
- Inter Miami to win: +115 (BetMGM)
- Result and both to score: Miami +260 (Caesars)
- Anytime Scorer: Lionel Messi -165, Josef Martinez +150, Brandon Vazquez +210, Leonardo Campana +220, Luciano Acosta +230 (BetMGM)
- First goalscorer: Lionel Messi +275, Brandon Vazquez +650, Luciano Acosta +700 (BetMGM)
- Two or More Goals: Lionel Messi +350, Brandon Vazquez +1100 (BetMGM)
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami Broadcast Info: Where to Watch
- Date/Time: Wednesday, August 23, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: TQL Stadium
Watch this match at one of the following:
- CBS Golazo Network on Paramount+ (English)
- Telemundo, Peacock (Spanish)
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