FC Cincinnati forward Luciano Acosta has given his verdict on what it was like to face Inter Miami without their superstar players, namely Lionel Messi.
The Herons were humiliated in Ohio by their Supporters’ Shield rivals as Inter Miami suffered their worst defeat in MLS history, with Acosta bagging two assists in what was to be a 6-1 win at the West End Stadium.
The result took Cincinnati above Inter Miami in the MLS standings with Tata Martinio’s side also losing Sergio Busquets through a red card, with the legendary Spanish midfielder being dismissed just past the hour mark for a second bookable offence.
And Acosta has now shared what it felt like facing Inter Miami without the likes of Messi.
Acosta unfazed by Inter Miami after 6-1 Cincinnati win
Speaking to MLS’s official website, Acosta hinted that Cincinnati were unfazed by facing Inter Miami, who even without Messi were on a four-game winning run and looking comfortable defensively for the first time all year.
However, Cincinnati showed their credentials as one of the best sides in MLS and then some last night, with the reigning MLS MVP holder the star of the show against Inter Miami once again.
Indeed, Inter Miami would have struggled against Cincinnati even with Messi and Luis Suarez in their ranks, and the Ohio franchise were ready for anything in what could be a pivotal result in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Acosta said on facing Inter Miami without their two star attackers in Messi and Suarez: “They were missing some key pieces tonight, everyone should know that. But, we came to play our game, they played theirs. No message or anything like that. We’re just us.”
Herons need to have a hard long look at their roster
Inter Miami’s roster is arguably the best that MLS has ever seen, with world-class players dotted in virtually every area of the squad mixed in with youngsters who could one day become superstars.
However, work still needs to be done if Inter Miami are to become the best side in MLS, with Cincinnati showing just how good a team needs to be to become the number one club in this division.
The summer transfer window will offer Inter Miami the chance to add to their roster, particularly the defense, which against Cincinnati was horribly exposed in what will go down as one of the Herons’ worst results ever.