Who Will Lionel Messi & Inter Miami Face Next After MLS Playoff Win vs Nashville?

Messi scored a brace in the first half, which included a run where he tricked the keeper by shooting in the opposite direction and by tapping the ball in an empty net after a great play by Jordi Alba and assisted by Mateo Silvetti.

The Argentine star has reached five goals in the MLS playoffs so far, scoring in each match of the best-of-three series against Nashville SC. He then provided an assist for Inter Miami's fourth goal, which was Tadeo Allende's second goal of the game. Messi reached 400 career assists.

Inter Miami's next opponent will be FC Cincinnati, who finished higher than them in the Eastern Conference table. FC Cincinnati finished second while Inter Miami finished third.

Both teams finished with the same number of points, 65, but FC Cincinnati finished second, having won 20 games, while Miami had 19 wins.

FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami - 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Unlike the previous round in the MLS playoffs, Inter Miami will only play one match against FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Inter Miami will be the away team for the match against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. The match is set to be played after the November international break, which starts this week.

FC Cincinnati qualified for the Eastern Conference semifinals after beating Columbus Crew 2-1 earlier today. Brenner Da Silva scored a brace against the Columbus Crew today in Game 3 of that series.

The last time FC Cincinnati hosted Inter Miami at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati won 3-0 at home with goals from Gerardo Valenzuela and a brace from Evander Ferreira on July 16, 2025.