Columbus Crew will aim to keep their MLS Supporters’ Shield hopes alive when they face Inter Miami.
In what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Lower.com Field, Columbus Crew will aim to delay Inter Miami’s march toward the MLS Supporters’ Shield. The second-placed Crew trail the Herons by eight points in the Eastern Conference, but with a game in hand, they have a slim chance of reigniting the title race.
Columbus Crew have enjoyed a resurgence of form since September, with just one defeat in their last seven league outings. Along the way, they lifted the Leagues Cup and narrowly missed out on the Campeones Cup, losing on penalties to Club America. However, a recent 2-2 draw against DC United has left the Crew in a must-win situation. A loss on Thursday would see Inter Miami stretch their lead to 11 points at the top, securing the Supporters’ Shield with three games to go for the Crew.
Wilfried Nancy’s side has built their season on defensive solidity, conceding the fewest goals (33) in the league. Their impressive home form, where they have lost just once in their last seven league matches, gives them confidence ahead of facing a high-flying Inter Miami team. Notably, the Crew have already beaten the Herons this season, a 3-2 victory in the Leagues Cup, and will aim to repeat that performance in front of their home crowd.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami sit comfortably at the top of the standings with a seven-point cushion over second-placed LA Galaxy. With matches against lower-ranked Toronto and New England Revolution still to come, Gerardo Martino’s side are in a strong position to clinch the Supporters’ Shield, but a win on Thursday would seal the deal early.
Having already lifted the Leagues Cup this season, Inter Miami will be eager to wrap up their second piece of silverware with a victory over their closest rivals. Argentine legend Lionel Messi, who recently returned from injury, has been central to Miami’s success since his arrival. Messi scored twice in his comeback match against Philadelphia Union and also found the net in the 1-1 draw against Charlotte last weekend.
The match will be Messi’s first against Columbus Crew, as the Argentine had joined Miami after their regular-season encounters and was unavailable for their Leagues Cup clash in June. With Messi firing on all cylinders and Inter Miami determined to secure the title, the Crew will need to be at their defensive best to keep him at bay. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew will approach this pivotal matchup with a few changes in the lineup due to injuries. Both Sean Zawadzki, who is dealing with an abdominal issue, and Evan Bush, sidelined with an arm injury, are out for the rest of the season.
Despite these absences, head coach Wilfried Nancy will rely on the offensive prowess of Diego Rossi, who scored twice when Columbus last beat Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup, and Cucho Hernandez, the club’s top scorer, to lead the attack.
In a probable 3-5-2 formation, Patrick Schulte is expected to start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Steven Moreira, Rudy Camacho, and Malte Amundsen. Mohamed Farsi and Jacen Russell-Rowe will take on the wing-back roles, providing width and support in both attack and defence.
Darlington Nagbe will operate as the midfield anchor, flanked by Alexandru Matan and Max Arfsten, while Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez form a dynamic partnership up front. Russell-Rowe will primarily charge forward and into the central areas, while Arfsten will veer outwards to support the flanks.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Matan, Nagbe, Arfsten, Russell-Rowe; Rossi, Hernandez
Inter Miami
Inter Miami will be without key defensive figure Tomas Aviles, who will miss this crucial match after picking up a yellow card against Charlotte, pushing him past the suspension threshold. In addition to Aviles, Gerardo Martino’s side will be missing David Martinez (groin), CJ Dos Santos (arm), Leo Afonso (groin), and Nicolas Freire, who continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament tear.
In a probable 4-3-3 formation, Drake Callender will stand between the posts, while the back four is likely to include Marcelo Weigandt at right-back, Noah Allen at centre-back, alongside Sergio Busquets, who could be asked to fill in defensively, and Jordi Alba at left-back.
The midfield trio may feature Federico Redondo, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Julian Gressel, tasked with controlling the game in the middle of the park. Upfront, Lionel Messi will lead the attack, supported by Luis Suarez and Diego Gomez aiding him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Callender; Weigandt, Allen, Busquets, Alba; Redondo, Bright, Gressel; Messi, Suarez, Gomez
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- Columbus Crew have been a tough team to beat at home, losing just once in their last seven home league matches, showcasing their strength at Lower.com Field.
- Inter Miami have scored in each of their last 10 MLS matches, thanks to the firepower of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, showing their consistent attacking form.
- Columbus Crew have conceded the fewest goals in the league this season, with just 33 goals allowed, giving them the best defensive record in the MLS.
- A win for Inter Miami in this match would not only move them closer to securing the Supporters’ Shield but would also see Lionel Messi clinch his second title with the club, marking his 45th career trophy.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi continues to be the driving force behind Inter Miami’s success since joining the club. With his incredible vision, playmaking, and goalscoring ability, he has transformed the team’s attacking dynamics. Having recently returned from injury, Messi quickly made an impact, scoring twice in the 3-1 victory against Philadelphia Union and netting once in the 1-1 draw against Charlotte.
Messi’s ability to create chances and deliver in crucial moments makes him the player to watch in this matchup. His leadership on the field, combined with his knack for being decisive in key matches, could be the difference-maker as Inter Miami look to edge closer to the Supporters’ Shield title. Expect Messi to be heavily involved in Miami’s attack, creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates.
Prediction
Columbus Crew 1-2 Inter Miami
With Lionel Messi back in form and Inter Miami’s attacking power too strong, the Herons should edge this contest and clinch the Supporters’ Shield in the process. The game is likely to be hard fought, but Inter Miami’s quality should prevail in the end. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Gerardo Martino and his charges.
