FC Cincinnati's star man Evander knows they cannot afford to drop any more points as they push for a playoff place.

Cincinnati have won their last two MLS games, both against D.C. United, and they head into the final 10 days of the regular season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

That would be enough for a wildcard spot, but Cincinnati are not yet sure of their place in the top nine, as the Columbus Crew, who sit 10th, are only four points behind them.

Orlando City sit seventh, on 42 points, the same as Cincinnati, and Evander knows that it is now crunch time, starting with Wednesday's trip to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

"We understand the situation we're in right now," said Evander.

"We cannot choose games anymore. We have to win. Whether playing at home or playing away, we can't lose points anymore."

Evander was at the heart of the 2-0 win over D.C. last time out. He scored a stunning opener from distance before teeing up Tom Barlow for Cincinnati's second goal, which marked the Brazilian's 15th MLS assist of 2026.

He became only the second player in the history of MLS, after Messi, to record at least 15 assists in three successive seasons.

"That's Evander being Evander," Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said.

Evander said: "I knew I was gonna score again at some point. I've been pushing myself to be on the scoresheet.

"More than that, just trying to push the team to win the games. 

"I think it came in a special moment: a goal and a win in an away game is really good."

Miami go into Wednesday's clash on the back of a 2-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls. The Herons sit third in the East.

Nuevo desafío en Nu Stadium #MIAvCIN https://t.co/GzoiTe40k7 https://t.co/mVAMTBwfvi

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 26, 2026

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi 

Messi came off the bench to play 34 minutes last Saturday but was not involved in a goal, marking his third straight substitute appearance for Miami without a goal contribution. 

The Argentine has been involved in at least one goal in each of his last 19 club starts, though, dating back to the start of May (21 goals, 14 assists).

FC Cincinnati – Evander 

Evander had a goal and an assist in Cincinnati’s win over D.C. United on Saturday. 

It was the 19th time since the start of the 2024 season that he had a goal and an assist in a single regular-season match. Only Messi (25) has more such games in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN

After winning only one of their previous six home league matches, Miami have won two in a row, keeping clean sheets in both wins. 

The Herons have never kept clean sheets in three consecutive regular-season home matches before (109 games).

Another shutout on Wednesday seems unlikely, as there have been 135 goals scored in games involving Cincinnati in MLS this year (64 scored, 71 conceded). 

Cincinnati will break the single-season record for total goals scored in a teams' games if there are two in this match, passing Miami's mark of 136 in 2025.

Miami have won their last two matches against Cincinnati, including a win in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, by a combined score of 9–3, and they are favourites to earn another positive result against them here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 52.4%

FC Cincinnati – 23.3%