Lionel Messi may return from his injury in the nick of time as Inter Miami host FC Cincinnati in a must-win game down the stretch of the MLS season.
Inter Miami's playoff chase is barely drawing breath, with the club needing to win here or face potential elimination from the postseason should other outside results go against them.
Messi has missed the past four games with a scar-tissue problem in his leg, and with the club making very little information available on the subject, it's been tough to gauge when he could return. However, a report from Argentina indicates that, having been called up to the national team for the coming international break despite his injury, a return is possible in this match.
Without Messi, Inter Miami have failed to win any of their four games, putting them in a precarious position as the race for a postseason berth heats up down the stretch. Therefore, his return would be a welcome and timely turn of events, only available off the bench from the start.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with highlights & commentary as Inter Miami host FC Cincinnati
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati live stream, TV channel
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| TV channel | Streaming | |
| Global | — | Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass) |
What time does Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati kick off?
This MLS regular-season match at DRV PNK Stadium kicks off on Saturday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Oct. 7 | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sat, Oct. 7 | 4:30 p.m. PT |
| UK | Sun, Oct. 8 | 12:30 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Sun, Oct. 8 | 9:30 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sun, Oct. 8 | 5 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Sun, Oct. 8 | 7:30 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Sun, Oct. 8 | 7:30 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Sun, Oct. 8 | 7:30 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Sun, Oct. 8 | 11:30 a.m. NZST |
MORE: Can Inter Miami make the MLS playoffs? Chances slim but hope still shines
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati projected lineups & team news
There was a report that Lionel Messi could finally make his return from injury, and while it felt unlikely that Messi would start three days after missing out entirely, he appears on the bench today and could be available for a second half appearance if required.
Jordi Alba remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, missing since his injury just minutes before Messi, and without a publicly known timeline for a return. Also missing is striker Leonardo Campana who was absent from the midweek defeat to the Chicago Fire with a muscle injury, although Gerardo Martino described his issue as "minor."
Important midfielder Gregore, who has missed most of the season with a foot injury, is back in training and should return to the field at some point, although when is not known. Defender Tomas Aviles is back from suspension and starts in the three center-back system.
Inter Miami projected starting lineup (5-3-2): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Aviles, Kryvtsov, Miller, Allen — Ruiz, Busquets, Cremaschi — Farias, Martinez.
Defender Alvas Powell is suspended for the match after being sent off against the New York Red Bulls last time out, with Santiago Arias stepping in at right-back.
FC Cincinnati are otherwise light on availability concerns, with only a leg injury for Arquimides Ordonez and a long-term injury to young midfielder Stiven Jimenez to worry about.
Talisman forward Luciano Acosta was partially rested midweek, coming off the bench to score the team's only goal against the Red Bulls in 32 minutes of play, so he is ready to go as he chases the league's Golden Boot award. Also rested midweek was Alvaro Barreal who leads the team in minutes and also logged just 32 of them on Wednesday.
FC Cincinnati projected starting lineup (5-3-2): Celentano (GK) — Arias, Hagglund, Miazga, Murphy, Barreal — Nwobodo, Acosta, Moreno — Vazquez, Santos.
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati betting odds & lines
In Canada, bet MLS at Sports Interaction: See the latest odds for Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati here
| Miami win | Draw | FC Cincy win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | MIA -0.5 | CIN +0.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -105 | +275 | +240 | -185 / +125 | -175 / +120 | -115 | -125 |
