Inter Miami noticed off the Columbus Crew 1-0 in MLS on Saturday because of a spectacular header from Benjamin Cremaschi.
Followers flocked to Huntington Financial institution Discipline – residence of the Cleveland Browns – to witness Lionel Messi and his former fellow Barcelona stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in motion for Miami.
Nevertheless it was a lesser mild in Cremaschi who proved decisive, as he transformed with an excellent diving header from Marcelo Weigandt’s right-wing cross within the thirtieth minute.
Messi noticed a goal-bound try blocked after which curled extensive, however regardless of main Miami for pictures, with 4, the celebrity Argentine minimize a comparatively pissed off determine.
As a substitute, Columbus largely dominated, however did not put away their possibilities as their unbeaten begin to the season ended.
Daniel Gazdag, making his first league begin since he joined the Crew from the Philadelphia Union, was notably wasteful.
He lofted over from the sport’s first clear opening, although his large misses got here late on.
After heading over the bar from shut vary, Gazdag then failed to show residence twice from contained in the six-yard field in stoppage time.
Miami additionally had goalkeeper Oscar Ustari to thank, as he made 4 saves to protect their clear sheet and lengthen their unbeaten run to eight MLS matches.
The Herons are actually unbeaten in 19 regular-season video games stretching again to final time period, equalling the longest such unbeaten run in MLS historical past, beforehand set by FC Dallas in 2010-11 and Columbus in 2004-05.
Taking residence all 3 factors pic.twitter.com/hvRQ9imZnD
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 19, 2025
Miami moved above the Crew into prime spot within the Japanese Convention, however reigning MLS Cup champions the LA Galaxy proceed to wrestle.
The Galaxy misplaced 1-0 to Austin FC and are planted to the underside of the West after Brandon Vazquez made up for a penalty miss by scoring within the 81st minute.
Knowledge Debrief: Gazdag’s large day falls flat
Gazdag was solely acquired by the Crew earlier this month, having scored twice in six MLS appearances for Philadelphia this season already.
However his full debut didn’t go in line with plan, as he did not get any of his 4 makes an attempt on course. In truth, Gazdag accounted for 1.19 of the Crew’s 3.14 anticipated targets.
It was, then, one thing of a smash and seize for Miami, who had simply seven pictures and accrued possibilities value 0.86 xG, although Javier Mascherano’s workforce had been extra scientific, getting two pictures on course, whereas Columbus solely hit the goal with three of their 16 makes an attempt.
Miami are actually unbeaten in six straight regular-season conferences with the Crew.