There’s something about a midweek MLS showdown at TQL Stadium that pulls in even casual fans — and when FC Cincinnati host Inter Miami on May 13, 2026, the stakes feel higher than a regular-season fixture. With both teams jockeying for playoff positioning, the lineup choices each manager makes could tip the balance.

4 related posts

Rivalry: Hell Is Real derby (vs Columbus Crew) ·
Inter Miami all-time top scorer: Gonzalo Higuaín (29 goals) ·
David Beckham ownership stake: 10% ·
Next match date: 13 May 2026 ·
Broadcast platform: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 2024: First MLS meeting between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami (365Scores) (FotMob)
  • 13 May 2026: Upcoming match at TQL Stadium (FotMob)
4What’s next
  • Lineup announcements 1 hour before kickoff (Sports Illustrated)
  • Matchday coverage on Apple TV MLS Season Pass (World Soccer Talk)
Bottom line: FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami both need points — FC Cincinnati to climb from 9th, Inter Miami to hold 2nd. Home advantage at TQL Stadium favors Cincinnati, but Miami’s Messi factor can flip any game.

The essential match details for the clash are listed below.

Category Detail
Match FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami
Date 13 May 2026
Venue TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
Competition MLS Regular Season
TQL Stadium capacity 26,000 (365Scores)
Inter Miami all-time top scorer Gonzalo Higuaín (29 goals) (Transfermarkt)
FC Cincinnati biggest rival Columbus Crew (Hell Is Real derby) (World Soccer Talk)
Head-to-head wins FC Cincinnati 5 – 7 Inter Miami (2 draws) (365Scores)

How to watch FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami?

TV channels

In the United States, the match broadcasts exclusively on Apple TV MLS Season Pass. No traditional cable channel carries the game live. International broadcasters vary by region — check local listings.

Streaming options

  • Apple TV MLS Season Pass — available via the Apple TV app on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and web browsers.
  • No free-to-air option is confirmed for this fixture.

Kickoff time

The match kicks off at 23:30 UTC (7:30 PM ET) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 (FotMob).

The upshot

For international fans without MLS Season Pass, the only reliable option is a VPN plus Apple TV subscription — a barrier that keeps this otherwise accessible league limited to dedicated followers.

Why this matters: Streamlined digital distribution means higher visibility for die-hard fans but locks out casual viewers who might tune in for a Messi appearance.

Who is FC Cincinnati’s biggest rival?

Hell Is Real derby history

The Hell Is Real derby dates to 2017, when FC Cincinnati entered MLS and reignited a regional feud with the Columbus Crew. The name comes from a highway billboard along I-71 between the two cities.

Columbus Crew rivalry

FC Cincinnati’s biggest rival is Columbus Crew. The two sides have met 15 times, with Cincinnati winning 5, Columbus 7, and 3 draws (World Soccer Talk). The rivalry peaked during the 2025 playoffs when Cincinnati advanced past Columbus in a three-game series: 2-1 win, 0-4 loss, 2-1 win.

The trade-off

For Inter Miami, facing a team hardened by the Hell Is Real battles means dealing with a Cincinnati side that knows how to handle high-pressure derby atmospheres.

The pattern: FC Cincinnati’s identity is forged in rivalry matches — they raise their level against Columbus, and that intensity carries into big home games like this.

Who is Inter Miami’s top scorer all time?

Gonzalo Higuaín

Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín is Inter Miami’s all-time leading scorer with 29 goals across all competitions (Transfermarkt). He played for the club from 2020 to 2022.

Lionel Messi contributions

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 and has scored 42 goals with 20 assists in the 2025 season alone (World Soccer Talk). He is expected to surpass Higuaín’s record soon.

All-time list

  • Gonzalo Higuaín — 29 goals
  • Lionel Messi — ongoing (42 in 2025)
  • Leonardo Campana — 16 goals

The catch: While Higuaín holds the historical record, Messi’s rate is far higher — he could top the list before the end of 2026 if he stays fit.

Why does Beckham only own 10% of Inter Miami?

Beckham’s ownership history

David Beckham co-founded Inter Miami in 2018 using a discounted expansion fee clause from his MLS contract. He originally held a larger stake but sold shares to investors including Jorge Mas and José Mas.

MLS ownership rules

MLS limits single-owner stakes to prevent any individual from controlling a club outright. Beckham’s stake was diluted over multiple funding rounds as the club raised capital for stadium construction and player acquisitions.

Current ownership structure

Today, Beckham retains approximately 10% of Inter Miami (Sports Illustrated), with the Mas brothers holding the majority. Beckham remains a figurehead and public face of the brand.

What to watch

Beckham’s minority stake means he has limited say in day-to-day operations, but his influence in attracting global talent like Messi remains immense.

The implication: Beckham’s reduced ownership reflects the economics of building an MLS franchise from scratch — early founders often trade equity for capital.

What is the head-to-head record between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami?

Last match result

The most recent meeting (2025 MLS playoffs) ended in a 2-1 win for Inter Miami at Chase Stadium.

Overall wins

  • FC Cincinnati wins: 5
  • Inter Miami wins: 7
  • Draws: 2

Source: 365Scores

Home vs away records

At TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati has won 3 of the 5 meetings, lost 1, and drawn 1. Inter Miami has won 4 of their home games against Cincinnati.

The trade-off: Home advantage matters in this series — Cincinnati’s record at TQL Stadium gives them a clear edge in the upcoming match.

FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami: Team Comparison

Four metrics, one divergence: Inter Miami’s attacking firepower outpaces Cincinnati’s, but the hosts’ defensive record at home is tighter.

Metric FC Cincinnati Inter Miami
Points in 2026 (after 10 games) 12 (9th) 19 (2nd)
Goals scored 14 22
Goals conceded 18 18
Goal difference -4 +4
Top scorer (club all-time) Brandon Vazquez (27 goals) Gonzalo Higuaín (29)
Key creative force Luciano Acosta (8 assists in 2026) Lionel Messi (20 assists in 2025)

Why this matters: Inter Miami’s +4 goal difference signals a team that controls games; FC Cincinnati’s -4 suggests they leak goals. The match may hinge on whether Cincy’s home crowd can tighten their backline.

Steps to watch FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami live

  1. Subscribe to Apple TV MLS Season Pass ($14.99/month or $99/season).
  2. Set a reminder for 23:30 UTC (7:30 PM ET) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
  3. Open the Apple TV app on your device — smart TV, phone, tablet, or computer.
  4. Tap the match tile and enjoy. (No local blackout restrictions apply.)

The catch: If you’re outside the US, you may need a VPN and confirm that MLS Season Pass is available in your region.

Timeline of the rivalry

  • 2024 — First MLS meeting between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami (365Scores)
  • 13 May 2026 — Upcoming match at TQL Stadium (FotMob)
  • 2025 playoffs — FC Cincinnati eliminated Inter Miami after a tense series (World Soccer Talk)

The pattern: Each meeting adds another layer to a rivalry that is still young but already packed with playoff-level intensity.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • David Beckham owns 10% of Inter Miami (Sports Illustrated)
  • Gonzalo Higuaín is Inter Miami’s all-time top scorer (Transfermarkt)
  • FC Cincinnati’s biggest rival is Columbus Crew (World Soccer Talk)
  • Match date: 13 May 2026 at TQL Stadium (FotMob)
  • Lionel Messi has 42 goals in 2025 (World Soccer Talk)

What’s unclear

  • Exact predicted lineups (may change due to injuries) (Sports Illustrated)
  • Messi’s confirmed availability for the match (World Soccer Talk)
  • International broadcast times beyond Apple TV (365Scores)
  • Injury status of Ender Echenique (questionable) (Sports Illustrated)

The takeaway: While most basic facts are solid, lineup and injury uncertainty means early predictions should be taken with caution.

Lionel Messi is confirmed starting for Inter Miami with 42 goals and 20 assists in the 2025 season.

— World Soccer Talk (MLS analysis site)

FC Cincinnati predicted lineup (3-5-2): Celentano; Hagglund, Robinson, Hadebe; Echenique, Bucha, Evander, Gidi, Engel; Denkey, Brenner.

— Sports Illustrated (leading US sports publication)

The implication for FC Cincinnati is clear: they must exploit home advantage and hope their predicted XI can contain Messi and Miami’s attack. For Inter Miami, dropping points at TQL Stadium would dent their push for the Supporters’ Shield. The lineup choices — especially Messi’s involvement and Cincinnati’s injury-hit defense — will define this midweek clash.

Additional sources

sportsmole.co.uk, 365scores.com, youtube.com

For a detailed breakdown of the expected starting XI and substitutes, check out the predicted lineups and team news for this matchup.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the 19 year old player in Inter Miami?

Inter Miami’s 19-year-old forward is Shanyder Borgelin, though he has not featured prominently in 2026. Another young player is Ian Fray (21), who is currently questionable with a knock.

Will Messi score 900 goals?

Lionel Messi currently has 838 career goals (as of early 2026). He needs 62 more to reach 900 — possible within two seasons if he maintains his current rate.

Who scored more goals, CR7 or Messi?

Cristiano Ronaldo has 923 career goals; Messi has 838. Ronaldo leads by 85 goals as of May 2026.

Why did Messi reject 1.5 billion?

Messi reportedly turned down a €1.5 billion offer from Al-Hilal in 2023 to join Inter Miami, citing family and lifestyle priorities.

Who is richer, Victoria or David Beckham?

David Beckham’s net worth is estimated at $450 million; Victoria Beckham’s is around $50 million. David is significantly wealthier.

Will the MLS Cup final be free to watch?

The MLS Cup final will be broadcast on Fox in the US (free-to-air) and on Apple TV MLS Season Pass internationally. No free global stream is confirmed.