Inter Miami has suffered its first MLS loss since May as FC Cincinnati defeated the Herons 3-0 at the TQL Stadium. Javier Mascherano's team has gone 12 MLS games without a clean sheet. Lionel Messi did not score for Inter Miami for the first time after six straight games with goals in the MLS.

MLS MVP frontrunners, Evander and Lionel Messi, faced off July 16 at TQL Stadium. The FC Cincinnati star left with a stronger case for the award.

Messi will play against Cincinnati for only the second time since joining Inter Miami and is looking for his first career goal against them. Messi did convert a penalty kick in a shootout win for Miami on Aug. 23, 2023, in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.