In a historic first MLS game in Cleveland, Ohio, fans gathered to witness Lionel Messi in action against the Columbus Crew. However, it was Inter Miami`s emerging talents, a homegrown player and a draft pick, who played pivotal roles in securing a 1-0 win over their Eastern Conference rivals. Benjamin Cremaschi, a 20-year-old, scored a crucial diving header, propelling Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference alongside the Crew.
This victory marks the first defeat of the season for Wilfried Nancy`s Columbus Crew, leaving Inter Miami as the sole undefeated team in Major League Soccer. The match, hosted at Huntington Bank Field, the Cleveland Browns` stadium, drew a record crowd of 60,614, including NFL star Jerry Jeudy. Despite the electric atmosphere, the Crew couldn`t overcome a resilient Inter Miami. The game carried significant weight, seen as a high-stakes encounter early in the season, especially considering the Crew`s previous Leagues Cup victory over Inter Miami last season.
Even with the absence of Cucho Hernandez, who moved to Real Betis, the Crew have found success through Diego Rossi`s form and the debut of powerful attacker Daniel Gazdag. Nevertheless, Columbus missed several scoring opportunities in this match. When they did manage to get shots on target, Inter Miami`s veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, proved impenetrable. The 38-year-old Argentine showcased exceptional goalkeeping, consistently securing the ball and relieving pressure on Miami`s defense.
Miami`s hard-fought victory was built on resilience. Employing a 4-4-2 formation, their attack wasn`t always fluid, but the contributions of Yannick Bright and Benjamin Cremaschi were vital. Cremaschi, combining effectively with Marcelo Weigandt on the right flank, scored the decisive goal, giving Miami a lead they maintained throughout the match.
Bright`s energetic presence in midfield was crucial defensively, allowing Sergio Busquets to control the deeper areas and strategically advance. As the Crew applied relentless pressure in the second half, Bright`s tireless play was essential. Selected in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Bright has exceeded expectations. Despite the arrival of high-profile players like Federico Redondo, he has solidified his importance to Inter Miami, demonstrating his value to any manager.
MLS`s diverse pathways to success are evident in Miami`s roster, which includes a converted center-back at left-back, a blend of Argentine talents, homegrown players, draft picks, and the renowned Barcelona quartet. Miami`s success isn`t solely built on star signings; strategic roster construction and identifying valuable players to complement their stars are key.
Although not a flawless performance, with the Crew generating a higher expected goals (xG) of 3.01 compared to Miami`s 0.61, the best teams find ways to win even when not at their peak. The Crew, under Nancy`s guidance and with Gazdag`s integration, will remain a strong force. However, Inter Miami has repeatedly shown that opponents need to perform flawlessly to defeat them.
Any lapses in concentration against Miami are costly, as the Crew experienced firsthand. While Luis Suarez has adopted a more creative role this season, with Messi and Tadeo Allende leading the scoring, Inter Miami`s supporting cast has consistently stepped up when needed. If this trend continues, Inter Miami is well-positioned to contend for more trophies this season, aiming to improve upon last season`s early MLS Cup playoff exit against Atlanta United.
Dominic Ashworth