In a historic MLS match held in Cleveland, Ohio, fans came hoping to witness Lionel Messi`s brilliance against the Columbus Crew. However, it was a combination of homegrown talent and a shrewd draft pick that propelled Inter Miami to a narrow 1-0 victory over their Eastern Conference rivals. Benjamin Cremaschi, the 20-year-old midfielder, scored the decisive goal with a diving header, pushing Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference alongside the Crew.
This marks the first defeat of the season for Columbus Crew under coach Wilfried Nancy, leaving Inter Miami as the sole undefeated team in Major League Soccer. The match, played at Huntington Bank Field, usually home to the Cleveland Browns, drew a record crowd of 60,614, including NFL star Jerry Jeudy. Despite the enthusiastic support, the Crew couldn`t secure a win. Given the rising prominence of both teams in MLS and the Crew`s previous Leagues Cup victory over Inter Miami, this game carried significant weight early in the regular season.
Even with the departure of Cucho Hernandez to Real Betis, the Crew have maintained a winning momentum, largely due to the strong performances of Diego Rossi and the debut of impactful attacker Daniel Gazdag. Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the game, the Crew failed to capitalize. When they did manage shots on target, Inter Miami`s veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, proved unbeatable. The 38-year-old Argentine showcased exceptional goalkeeping, securing every attempt and relieving pressure on his team`s defense.
Miami`s victory was hard-earned. Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, their attack wasn`t particularly fluid, but the contributions of Yannick Bright and Benjamin Cremaschi proved crucial. Cremaschi, connecting with Marcelo Weigandt on the right flank, scored the game-winning goal, securing Miami`s lead.
Bright`s energetic presence in midfield was vital defensively. His constant running allowed Sergio Busquets to control the deeper areas of the field. As the Crew intensified their pressure in the second half, Bright`s contribution became increasingly important. Drafted in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Bright`s significant role in the team is notable, especially considering Miami`s acquisition of high-profile players like Federico Redondo. He has proven his value to the team regardless of management changes.
MLS`s diverse pathways to success are evident in Miami`s squad, which includes players from various backgrounds: a converted center-back, numerous Argentinians, homegrown players, draft picks, and the renowned Barcelona quartet. Miami`s success isn`t solely based on star signings; effective roster construction and value acquisitions are essential to support those star players.
While Miami`s performance wasn`t flawless, with the Crew generating an expected goals (xG) of 3.01 compared to Miami`s 0.61, top teams find ways to win even when not at their best. The Crew, under Nancy`s guidance and with Gazdag`s integration, will remain a strong contender. However, Inter Miami has consistently shown that opponents must play perfectly to defeat them.
Any lapse in focus against Miami can be costly, as the Crew experienced. While Luis Suarez has adopted more of a playmaking role this season, with Messi and Tadeo Allende leading the scoring, other Miami players have stepped up when needed. If this trend continues, Inter Miami has a strong chance to win more trophies this season and redeem themselves after their early MLS Cup playoff exit against Atlanta United last year.
