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- Who: Inter Miami CF vs. FC Cincinnati
- What: 2023 U.S. Open Cup Semifinal
- Where: TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH
- When: Wednesday, August 23, 2023
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: Paramount+, Telemundo, peacock
The 2023 U.S. Open Cup has reached the semifinal stage. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF face the top club in MLS, FC Cincinnati, in one of those matches. Messi and his former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, have been the spark Inter Miami needed to compete with the other teams in Major League Soccer.
Since he joined Inter Miami, Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, has scored ten goals and one assist in seven games and helped lead his club to the inaugural Leagues Cup, beating Nashville via penalty shots. Messi also took home the MVP award for his effort. On Wednesday, Messi and Inter Miami look to take the next step to the 2023 U.S. Open Cup. Miami is 5-3-14 on the season.
Cincinnati enters Wednesday’s game following a somewhat embarrassing shutout loss to Columbus on Sunday. The setback ended a four-game unbeaten streak for the club, which is still in first place in the MLS standings with a 15-6-3 record.
Before we look at the U.S. Open Cup semifinal matchup between Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati, check out the best sites for MLS betting and our guide to betting on soccer.
U.S. Open Cup Semifinal betting picks: Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati
| To Win 2023 US Open Semifinal |  |  |  |
| FC Cincinnati | +180 | +190 | +188 |
| Inter Miami | +117 | +115 | +121 |
| Draw | +310 | +275 | +281 |
U.S. Open Cup Semifinal betting breakdown: Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati
When Inter Miami inked Lionel Messi, they hoped he would turn the team’s fortunes around. Did they expect that to happen immediately? It’s hard to say, but that’s precisely what has happened since the legendary player joined the MLS club.
When Messi joined the team, they were nearly forgotten, sitting at the bottom of the MLS standings and considerable betting underdogs in the Leagues Cup. Fast forward seven games and the team was lifting the Leagues Cup, and Messi was taking home the tournament MVP. Despite Miami’s success, the team is facing some concerns heading into its matchup against Cincinnati, which is Messi’s playing time. The upcoming game is the team’s sixth in 22 days, and three more matches are coming in the 11 days following Wednesday’s game. Messi has been playing a lot of minutes, and at some point, he will need a break, or the team will run the risk of him playing at less than optimal.
While most of the attention ahead of this game is on Messi, no one should overlook Cincinnati, who is playing at home where they have won 11 of 12 games this year while scoring 29 goals and allowing nine. The only game the club did not win was a 2-2 draw with Charlotte.
U.S. Open Cup Semifinal: Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati – What to watch
Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati will tell us a lot about Inter Miami. Cincinnati had a long period of inactivity before their shutout loss to Columbus. That setback will not sit well with the team that had lost just two of their 23 previous MLS games. With all eyes on Messi and Miami, don’t expect Cincinnati to come out flat, especially in a home game.
The winner of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal game will face the winner of the Real Salt Lake vs. Houston contest. That matchup will serve as the final and take place on September 27.
Best Bets for U.S. Open Cup Semifinal: Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati
Expect a spirited game between these two teams, but don’t be shocked if Inter Miami continue their winning ways. Adding Messi provides talent and confidence to the club and elevates the entire team. It also serves as a psychological block for every team they face. The betting pick for Wednesday’s matchup is Miami to win in a close game.
Best Inter Miami vs. Cincinnati betting pick: Miami to win.
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