Inter Miami Slips to Third in Eastern Conference After Late-Game Draw Against Cincinnati
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami dropped to third place in the Eastern Conference on October 28, 2026, after conceding a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Cincinnati, according to Associated Press reporting. Brazilian forward Riquelme Fillipi scored his first Major League Soccer goal in the 90th minute to salvage a point for Miami, capping a flurry of late-match scoring at Chase Stadium.
The result dropped Miami behind New England in the standings after the Revolution secured a 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on the same night. New England now holds 58 points—two ahead of Miami—with only two regular-season matches remaining.
How the Late Drama Unfolded in Miami
Luis Suárez opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 61st minute with a shot from the left side of the area, giving the reigning MLS champions a 1-0 advantage that held for nearly twenty minutes. Cincinnati responded late in the match when Kenji Mboma Dem leveled the score in the 80th minute.
Six minutes later, Samuel Gidi scored his first MLS goal on a swift counterattack from the frontal area of the box, stunning the home crowd and briefly putting Cincinnati ahead 2-1. Just as Cincinnati looked poised to secure a crucial road victory, Fillipi equalized in the final minute of regulation by converting from the left side of the penalty area.
Cincinnati nearly stole the match during stoppage time when Brazilian midfielder Evander found himself with a clear shooting opportunity near the penalty spot. Inter Miami defender Ian Fray blocked the resulting shot with his body to preserve the 2-2 draw, while Cincinnati’s subsequent corner kick failed to threaten the goal.
The club needed a victory in Miami combined with a Columbus loss to Dallas to formally punch its postseason ticket.
The Upcoming Showdown in Foxborough
Inter Miami travels to face the New England Revolution on Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with the second seed in the Eastern Conference and a crucial playoff positioning spot on the line. The fixture serves as the penultimate regular-season match for Miami, which concludes its schedule at home against Charlotte on November 7, 2026.
Meanwhile, Major League Soccer announced prior to the match that the upcoming 2027 campaign will feature an abbreviated schedule starting February 19 with a visit by Cincinnati to Miami. The shortened season will act as a transitional bridge to align the league calendar with international windows beginning in July 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Eastern Conference Race
What does the draw mean for Inter Miami’s playoff seed?
Inter Miami dropped to third in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, trailing the New England Revolution by two points with two matches remaining on their schedule.
When do Inter Miami and New England play next?
The two teams face each other on Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in a match that will heavily influence the final second-place standing in the East.
What must Cincinnati do to secure its playoff spot?
Cincinnati missed an opportunity to clinch on Wednesday and must secure points in its remaining fixtures to formally lock down a postseason berth.
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