In a historic MLS match in Cleveland, Ohio, fans witnessed Inter Miami`s continued success as they edged out the Columbus Crew 1-0. While many came to see Lionel Messi, it was Benjamin Cremaschi, a young talent from Miami`s own ranks, who scored the decisive goal with a diving header. This victory puts Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference, tied with the Crew.
Columbus Crew suffered their first defeat of the season, making Inter Miami the sole undefeated team in MLS. Despite a record crowd of 60,614 at Huntington Bank Field, including NFL star Jerry Jeudy, the Crew couldn`t overcome a resilient Miami side. This game was highly anticipated, seen as a clash between top MLS teams, especially considering the Crew had previously eliminated Inter Miami from the Leagues Cup.
Even with the departure of Cucho Hernandez, the Crew have remained competitive thanks to players like Diego Rossi and newcomer Daniel Gazdag. However, they struggled to convert their chances against Miami. Inter Miami`s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, delivered a stellar performance, denying the Crew`s attacks and relieving pressure on his defense.
Inter Miami, under Javier Mascherano, secured a hard-fought victory. Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, their attack wasn`t overly aggressive, but key contributions from Yannick Bright and Cremaschi proved crucial. Cremaschi`s goal, assisted by Marcelo Weigandt, gave Miami the lead they maintained throughout the match.
Bright`s energetic presence in midfield was vital defensively, allowing Sergio Busquets to control the game from a deeper position. His performance was particularly important as the Crew applied significant pressure in the second half. Bright, a first-round MLS SuperDraft pick, has exceeded expectations, proving his value to the Miami team regardless of new star signings.
Inter Miami`s success story highlights the diverse paths to winning in MLS. Their roster, featuring a mix of homegrown players, draft picks, Argentine talents, and stars from Barcelona, demonstrates effective team building. Relying solely on star power isn`t sustainable, making smart roster management and value acquisitions essential.
While Inter Miami`s performance wasn`t flawless, as evidenced by the Crew`s higher expected goals (xG) of 3.01 compared to Miami`s 0.61, top teams find ways to win even when not at their best. Columbus Crew, under coach Wilfried Nancy, are expected to bounce back strongly, especially as Gazdag integrates further. However, Inter Miami has consistently shown that opponents need to play perfectly to defeat them.
Any lapses in concentration against Miami are punished, as the Crew experienced. While Luis Suarez has taken on a more creative role this season, supporting Messi and Tadeo Allende in attack, other Miami players have stepped up when needed. If this trend continues, Inter Miami is well-positioned to contend for more trophies this season, aiming to improve upon their previous MLS Cup playoff exit to Atlanta United.
Adrian Whitmore