Columbus Crew - Inter Miami live online score, stats and updates | MLS
Columbus Crew - Inter Miami: Live updates
A neat ball over the top from Busquets finds Weigandt running in behind the Crew. Schulte is stranded but Weigandt opts to list the ball into the middle and it's cleared for a corner kick.
Finally a bit of possession for Inter Miami, knocking the ball around coolly at the back.
It's a testament to Columbus' pressing that this is the first spell of the ball for Miami.
The corner is played short and Columbus quickly pinch the ball near the corner flag. Inter Miami have looked a little off it so far.
Inter Miami win a corner kick. A chance to deliver with quality now...
Federico Redondo is penalised for a clumsy challenge on Darlington Nagbe, who does brilliantly to keep the ball.
We could see a really interesting clash between youth an experience in midfield.
The GOAT or grades?
The Columbus Crew fans are really showing out this evening but there is, of course, a good number of pink jerseys dotted around Lower.com Field. Lionel Messi continues to be a real draw.
First real foray forward from Inter Miami. Messi slides the ball out to Gomez on the edge of the box, who finds Alba on the overlap.
But Gomez' pass is overhit and Alba can't keep it in play. A frustrating error from Miami, there.
Brilliant touch from Cucho Hernandez to set Max Arfsten into space on the left flank, but Busquets gets across well to sweep up and regain possession.
Lionel Messi has struggled in the early stages tonight, giving the ball away cheaply on multiple occasions.
In fairness, it's not just him. Inter Miami are feeling the effects of this Crew press.
Inter Miami do well to defend a Columbus corner kick and the Herons spark a counter-attack with Noah Allen. He makes it to the halfway line but, seeing few options ahead of him, checks back inside and recycles the ball.
Agonising for Columbus Crew fans, who thought they'd grabbed an early lead. Brilliant individual work from Cucho to find the back of the net but Arfsten had delayed the pass a little too long.
Cucho Hernandez - Goal disallowed
The Crew talisman does brilliantly to fire the ball past Drake Callender from a tight angle. But the flag is up.
Strong tackle from Diego Gomez to win the ball back in the midfield. The home crowd don't like it but that was good from the young Paraguayan.
His energy will be crucial for Inter Miami this evening.
Disciplined start from Inter Miami, who are trying sit a little deeper than usual. They will have to accept that they may not dominate the ball this evening.
It looks like Sergio Busquets is dropping into the defence this evening, forming a back-three for the Herons. Big call from Tata Martino to match up Columbus' formation.
Good run forward from Ian Fray to bring the ball up-field. He slips the ball out to Weigandt on the wing but the full-back miscontrols the pass.
The corner kick is swung in by Diego Rossi but well-cleared by Miami.
From the very start, Columbus get Miami under pressure and win a corner kick.
Incredible noise at Lower.com Field.
And we're off!
Inter Miami get things underway in Columbus.
Columbus Crew - Inter Miami: Team news.
Just before we get underway, here's another look at the starting XIs selected by Wilfried Nancy and Tata Martino.
The teams are out!
The players emerge in front of a packed stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The two captains - Darlington Nagbe and Lionel Messi - exchange pendants in the centre circle.
We're nearly ready for the off!
Tata Martino outlines his hopes for Inter Miami.
The Inter Miami head coach spoke, via translator, to Apple TV ahead of tonight's game.
When asked what the key would be for his team, Tata Martino said: "Being consistent throughout the 90 minutes. We've had experience in previous games against Columbus where we gave them the initiative and it cost us."
Inter Miami close in on Supporters' Shield title.
The Herons players are going through their final preparation. Kickoff at Lower.com Field is now just minutes away.
Kickoff approaches at Lower.com Field.
We're nearly ready for the off now and the players are going through their final preparations for this top-of-the-table clash in the East.
We're expecting fireworks tonight!
What time is kickoff for Columbus Crew - Inter Miami?
The glamourous clash of the evening is undoubtedly found at Lower.com and, as such, it deserves it's own slot. The Crew-Miami game will start slightly later that the rest of the Eastern Conference action, with the action set to begin in around 15 minutes.
Recap: Columbus Crew battle back to stun Inter Miami.
The last time these teams met was in the Leagues Cup back in the summer. Inter Miami were the reigning champions but they were dumped from the competition by a resilient Columbus Crew, who went on to lift the trophy.
The Columbus Crew head coach revealed that the Inter Miami captain is often the subject of his advice. / Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Wilfried Nancy uses Lionel Messi as an example for the Crew.
During his 18 months with the Columbus Crew Wilfried Nancy has built a reputation as one of the best coaches, if not the best coach, in MLS. But even he takes inspiration from elsewhere, and he revealed recently that tonight's rival, Lionel Messi, has been a useful coaching tool during his career.
"He’s been part of my example when I try to teach certain things with my players," Nancy said ahead of the game.
"Because he is a player that, yes, obviously, he’s won many things, but what I like about him is he plays with common sense. So when there’s a pass to make, he passes the ball. When it is the moment to dribble, he’s going to do it. And for me, this is rare to see that."
Cucho Hernandez has his say on Inter Miami challenge.
The Columbus Crew striker is one of the league's most thrilling attacking talents, a player who manages to affect every facet of the game. Ahead of kickoff Cucho Hernandez tells Apple TV that he's looking forward to taking on Lionel Messi.
The two actually met much earlier in Cucho's career, when his Huesca side took on Messi's all-conquering Barcelona in LaLiga. Now, they go head-to-head.
Inter Miami were held to a draw in their most recent MLS fixture, a 1-1 against Charlotte Fc last weekend. After the match, Herons captain Lionel Messi was not too impressed with the referee's performance...
The Crew arrive.
The Columbus Crew come into this game off the back of a fourth final in less than 12 months, an incredible run under head coach Wilfried Nancy. They were narrowly beaten, a penalty shootout loss, by Club America at last week's Campeones Cup but they remain the team to watch ahead of MLS Cup.
Can they go back-to-back?
Lionel Messi in the house in Columbus.
The Inter Miami captain has his game face on as he strolls into Lower.com Field, flanked, as always, by his security guard. Will we see a bit more Messi magic this evening? You wouldn't rule it out.
It's been a busy couple of weeks for Columbus Crew. They've had regular MLS fixtures, the Campeones Cup final and the small matter of a trip to the White House.
Regardless, you can bet they won't be dropping the pace at all this evening.
Confirmed Columbus Crew team news.
And here's how the hosts line up. Sean Zawadzki misses out due to an injury sustained in Campeones Cup last week. It looks like Alexandru Matan will start in his place in the middle.
Confirmed Inter Miami team news.
Here's the starting XI selected by Tata Martino this evening. No major surprises for Inter Miami, who make just two changes.
The suspended Tomas Aviles is replaced by Ian Fray. Julian Gressel drops out, Noah Allen comes in.
Preparations underway for Inter Miami in Columbus.
The Herons are on the brink of history - a first Supporters' Shield in club history - as they prepare to take on Columbus Crew today. The Crew got the better of the most recent meeting between the two, securing a 3-2 victory in Leagues Cup to eliminate the holders at the Round-of-16 phase.
The iconic duo lead the Herons for goals in 2024. / CHRIS ARJOON / AFP
Messi and Suarez 'change the system', says Busquets.
With three draws and one win from four games, Lionel Messi's return to Inter Miami has not been as successful as some would have hoped. Nevertheless, midfielder Sergio Busquets insists that it's just a case of tweaking their system to get the best of Messi and Luis Suarez at the focal point of the attack.
Ahead of tonight's game, Busquets said: “It’s true that with Leo and Luis there’s a change in system, and we have to adapt. But it’s an advantage to have him, and honestly, we need to find him more because we know what he’s capable of doing.”
No player in the history of soccer have won more than Lionel Messi. Tonight, the Inter Miami captain can add to his record-breaking haul.
Recap: Columbus Crew frustrated in DC.
Like the Herons, Columbus Crew were unable to get the three points in their most recent fixture. The Crew were forced to settle for a 2-2 against DC United, with Golden Boot leader Christian Benteke hitting a brace for the hosts.
Nevertheless, Cucho Hernandez' outrageous long-range curler was definitely the goal of the game.
Recap: Lionel Messi goal not enough for Miami against Charlotte.
Inter Miami's record-chasing pace has slowed in recent weeks with three consecutive draws coming into tonight's game. They were held 1-1 by Charlotte FC last week, despite this picture-perfect strike from Lionel Messi early in the second half.
The stage is set.
Its a balmy fall evening in Columbus, Ohio and we're set for a meeting of two of the best teams in MLS. The reigning MLS Cup champions hosting the soon-to-be Supporters Shield winners.
Is Lionel Messi fit?
“Obviously, Leo does not need to do differentiated physical work in training. But he needs a rhythm of competition, which gives me the idea that he is going to reach the playoffs very well because in addition to the games with us he has the games with the Argentinian national team. So we have high hopes that he will come into the play-offs in very good shape.”
Full MLS schedule.
What a midweek treat. A full slate of MLS fixtures on a Wednesday evening, with playoff stakes on the line in most games.
Here's the full fixture list for this evening's action...
Inter Miami were, unsurprisingly, the first team to book their place in the postseason. The Columbus Crew were not far behind them.
There are 13 teams now confirmed in the 2024 postseason, here's the current list...
Supporters' Shield on the line in Columbus.
Will tonight be the night? For months, Inter Miami have been on a seemingly inevitable march to the Supporter's Shield title, their first MLS trophy in team history.
A win tonight would seal it, and clinch another trophy for Lionel Messi's incredible collection.
First things first. While we will have full updates right here on AS USA, you can also choose to watch Columbus Crew - Inter Miami wherever you are in the world. Here's everything you need to know...
Hello and welcome to our live text coverage of Columbus Crew - Inter Miami.
I'm Will Gittins - US soccer correspondent - and I'll be bringing you all the action from Lower.com Field. Away we go...