CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati fell to Inter Miami CF 4-0 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The win marks the first time No. 3 Inter Miami has advanced to the Eastern Conference Final in club history.
Possession was split practically 50/50 between the two clubs, but Miami dominated the second half specifically.
Miami capped off its dominating win over No. 2 Cincinnati when Tadeo Allende got his second goal of the night in the 74th minute when he went one-on-one with FCC goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Allende got his first in the 62nd minute off an assist from Lionel Messi.
Shortly before, Mateo Silvetti knocked one into the bottom right corner of the goal in the 57th minute.
In the first half, Messi collected a header from the center of the box after a cross from Silvetti. The goal marked his first in TQL Stadium.
Inter Miami strikes first.
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) November 23, 2025
It’s Lionel Messi — His first ever goal against FC Cincinnati.
1-0 Miami in the 19th minute. pic.twitter.com/M1apcpyDVt
The two teams met twice during the regular season, with FCC earning a 3-0 victory at TQL on July 16 before the two teams had a scoreless draw on July 26.
Sunday's match marked the first time Cincinnati has made it to the semifinals since 2023, when they defeated Philadelphia Union 1-0. Cincinnati went on to fall in the Eastern Conference Finals that year to the Columbus Crew, who won the MLS Cup.
Inter Miami will now go on to face either Philadelphia Union or New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final.
