Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati 2-2: Fillipi's Late Equalizer Rescues a Point

Representative licensed photograph, not the reported event, product or person. Photo: Franco Monsalvo / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

Inter Miami salvaged a 2-2 home draw with FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when Riquelme Fillipi scored in the 90th minute. The result capped a rapid late reversal: Miami had led 1-0, Cincinnati then scored twice, and the hosts needed a final response to avoid defeat.

How did Inter Miami and Cincinnati score their goals?

Luis Suárez put Miami ahead in the 61st minute at Nu Stadium. Cincinnati answered when Kenji Mboma Dem scored in the 80th minute and Samuel Gidi added another in the 86th. Gidi's strike briefly put the visitors in position for a valuable road win.

Fillipi equalized in the 90th minute, his first Major League Soccer goal according to Associated Press reporting. Miami's late recovery turned a potential loss into one point, but it was not a victory. The final score was Inter Miami 2, FC Cincinnati 2.

Did Lionel Messi score against Cincinnati?

No. Messi played but did not score in the 2-2 draw. His presence remained a major reason the game drew attention, yet the decisive scoring sequence belonged to Suárez, Mboma Dem, Gidi and Fillipi. Attributing the equalizer to Messi would be incorrect.

MLS's pregame preview had identified Messi and Cincinnati's Evander as the marquee creators, reflecting their production over the season. A pregame player profile, however, is not a substitute for the match's final scoring record.

Why did the result matter for the Eastern Conference?

Miami slipped to third in the Eastern Conference after New England beat the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on the same night. AP reported that New England held 58 points, two more than Miami, with two games left for the Herons. Their upcoming meeting in Foxborough therefore carries significant implications for postseason seeding.

Cincinnati also needed points in its effort to secure a playoff berth. A draw helped its total but did not deliver the win that could have moved the club closer to clinching a place. Standings remain fluid until all remaining matches are played.

What happened in the final minutes?

After Cincinnati's two quick goals, Miami continued pressing and Fillipi converted from the left side of the penalty area. Cincinnati then had a late opportunity through Evander, but Miami defender Ian Fray blocked the shot. The ensuing corner produced no winning goal.

Those details help explain why the match felt more dramatic than an ordinary draw: both teams held a realistic chance to take all three points late in the contest. They ultimately split the points.

When does Inter Miami play next?

AP's October 28 report identified Miami's next league game as a road meeting with the New England Revolution on Sunday, followed by a November 7 home game against Charlotte. Fans should consult the league or club schedule for any later kickoff or broadcast adjustments.

For viewers seeking the official record, MLS maintains a match page for the October 28 fixture, while AP's match report provides the final score and goal chronology. This article describes the completed match, not a prediction or a live score feed.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus independently wrote this report from the dated, attributable sources below. The representative photograph does not depict the reported event or people. Information reflects reporting available as of October 28–29, 2026.

• MLS, official Inter Miami–Cincinnati pregame and playoff context
• MLS, official October 28 match page
• Associated Press via Washington Post, October 28 final report
• San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press final-match account

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