FC Cincinnati is preparing for a critical match against Inter Miami after defeating them last week, but this time Lionel Messi won't play.

The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer's suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. “They don't understand the decision,” owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-game suspensions.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano will not be able to pick Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati. They have been handed a one-game suspension by Major League