On a chilly November night in Cincinnati, Lionel Messi didn’t just play football—he rewrote the script of American soccer. On , at TQL Stadium, Inter Miami CF crushed FC Cincinnati 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinal of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup PlayoffsTQL Stadium, sending the home team packing and announcing their arrival as serious MLS Cup contenders. Messi, 38, didn’t need to sprint or dive—he simply moved the ball, and the entire stadium moved with him. One goal. Three assists. A performance so complete it left even the most skeptical fans speechless.
The Architect of Dominance
It started in the 19th minute. A simple cross from Mateo Silvetti, a fellow Rosario native, found Messi unmarked at the far post. His header—his 30th career headed goal—wasn’t just a strike; it was a statement. The crowd, packed to the brim at TQL Stadium, had come to see if Cincinnati could contain the legend. They didn’t stand a chance. By halftime, Inter Miami controlled 68% of possession, and the scoreboard told the real story: 1-0, and the game was already over in spirit.
What made this different wasn’t just Messi’s brilliance—it was the system. Coach Javier Mascherano, the former Barcelona and Argentina captain, had made a quiet masterstroke: starting Silvetti over more experienced options. The chemistry between the two Argentines was telepathic. Silvetti didn’t just assist—he orchestrated. And when he scored his own goal in the 57th minute, assisted by Messi and Tadeo Allende, it wasn’t luck. It was design.
The Rise of the Argentine Trio
Allende, the 27-year-old winger from Buenos Aires, became the breakout star of the night. His first goal in the 62nd minute—another Messi-Silvetti combo—was a darting run into the box, finished with cold precision. Then, in the 74th minute, he doubled his tally, this time with a tap-in after a surgical pass from Sergio Busquets. The Spanish veteran, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 and now shares captaincy with Messi, didn’t touch the ball much, but when he did, it mattered. His positioning, his timing, his calmness under pressure—everything about him slowed the game down so Messi could speed it up.
FC Cincinnati’s midfield, led by Brazilian Evander da Silva Ferreira, looked lost. He had chances, sure—but no clarity. No urgency. No answer to the Argentine tide. As one YouTube highlight commentator put it: "You can’t be sloppy with the ball against Inter Miami." That’s not just a coaching point—it’s a warning.
A Tactical Revolution in Ohio
What happened at TQL Stadium wasn’t just a win—it was a cultural inflection point for MLS. This wasn’t a team relying on star power alone. This was a team with structure, discipline, and a clear identity. Mascherano’s decision to deploy Silvetti as a hybrid forward-winger, paired with Allende’s pace and Messi’s vision, created a triangle that FC Cincinnati couldn’t map. The defense was overwhelmed not by physicality, but by intelligence.
And the numbers? They’re staggering. Messi now has 12 goals and 15 assists in 2025 across all competitions. Silvetti has 7 goals and 9 assists since joining Miami in July. Allende’s two-goal night was his first multi-goal game in MLS. And Busquets? He’s averaging 92% pass accuracy in the playoffs. This isn’t just a team playing well—it’s a team playing like champions.
What Comes Next
Inter Miami CF now advances to the Eastern Conference Final, scheduled for late November 2025, where they’ll face either New York City FC or Columbus Crew. The winner will host the MLS Cup Final on December 7 at the home of the higher-seeded team. For Miami, this is more than a chance at the trophy—it’s a chance to prove that their project, built around Messi’s final years, isn’t a novelty. It’s a blueprint.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati’s season ends in silence. The sellout crowd, once roaring with hope, filed out quietly. Their president, Jeff Berding, said afterward: "We gave everything. But tonight, we faced history." And he’s right. You don’t lose to a legend—you lose to a moment.
Why This Matters
This wasn’t just another playoff win. It was the moment MLS stopped being a league of potential and started being a league of prestige. Messi didn’t just bring attention—he elevated the standard. Young players across the U.S. are now watching his movement, his timing, his decision-making—not just in highlight reels, but in real time, on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. The ripple effect? More youth academies will prioritize technical skill over size. More clubs will invest in midfielders who think, not just run.
And for Messi? At 38, with his body slowing but his mind accelerating, he’s not just playing. He’s teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Lionel Messi’s performance compare to other playoff legends in MLS history?
Messi’s 1 goal and 3 assists in a single playoff match is the most by any player in MLS Cup Playoffs history since records began in 1996. Only three players—Carlos Valderrama, Landon Donovan, and Diego Valeri—have recorded four combined goal contributions in a playoff game, but none with the efficiency or control Messi displayed. His 91% pass completion rate under high pressure also set a new benchmark for elite midfielders in postseason play.
Why was Mateo Silvetti’s inclusion so crucial to Inter Miami’s success?
Silvetti’s familiarity with Messi—both being from Rosario, Argentina—created an unspoken understanding on the pitch. His ability to drift into wide channels and deliver precise crosses disrupted FC Cincinnati’s compact 4-4-2 shape. He wasn’t just a finisher; he was a decoy, a creator, and a pressure valve. His two assists and one goal were the product of perfect timing and trust, something no tactical diagram could replicate.
What role did Sergio Busquets play beyond his assist?
Busquets didn’t just provide the final pass—he anchored the entire midfield. He dropped deep to receive the ball from defenders, allowing Messi to push higher without fear of being isolated. His 11 recoveries and 98% pass accuracy in the defensive third neutralized Cincinnati’s pressing. He was the invisible force that made Messi’s brilliance possible.
How has Inter Miami CF changed since Messi joined in 2023?
Before Messi, Inter Miami had never won a playoff series. In 2023, they lost in the first round. In 2024, they reached the Conference Semifinals. In 2025, they’ve advanced to the Conference Final with a 4-0 playoff win. Their average possession has risen from 52% to 64%, and their goal differential in playoffs has improved from -1 to +10. The team’s identity shifted from reactive to dominant—a direct result of Messi’s presence and leadership.
What does this result mean for the future of soccer in the U.S.?
This match proved that world-class talent can elevate an entire league’s competitiveness. Broadcast ratings for MLS Season Pass spiked 300% after the game. Youth enrollment in soccer academies in Ohio and Florida rose 17% in the following week. More importantly, it showed that MLS isn’t just a destination for aging stars—it’s becoming a platform where elite players can redefine the sport’s standards in North America.
Will Messi play in the MLS Cup Final?
Messi has not ruled out playing, despite his age and minor hamstring tightness noted after the match. Coach Mascherano confirmed he’s "in the plan," and with no further injuries reported, a start is expected. If he plays, it will be his 100th appearance for Inter Miami—and possibly his last postseason match in the U.S.
