Messi Mania Takes Over Cleveland in Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew Showdown
What a game we have on our hands this weekend! Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are set to face off against the Columbus Crew in what’s shaping up to be one of the biggest MLS matches of the season so far. And no, we’re not talking about a regular league fixture—this is a full-on clash between two unbeaten giants. With both teams carrying impressive records and chasing early dominance in the Eastern Conference, the stakes are sky high.
Let’s start with the setting. Instead of playing at Columbus' intimate Lower.com Field, the match has been moved to Huntington Bank Stadium in Cleveland. Why? Simple—Messi. With demand exploding every time he steps on the pitch, the Crew made the call to shift the game to a venue that can hold over 67,000 fans. And you better believe it’s going to be packed. Expect pink Messi jerseys flooding the stands, alongside plenty of Columbus yellow and black. But this move didn’t sit well with some Crew fans who feel they’ve lost the true "home game" advantage. Still, for the league, it’s a spectacle too big to ignore.
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Now, on to the soccer. Inter Miami come in undefeated with four wins and three draws. Columbus are just slightly ahead, with five wins and three draws, putting them at the top of the East. Both squads won silverware last season—Miami lifted the Supporters Shield, and Columbus took home the Leagues Cup. So yeah, it’s more than just three points on the line here; it’s pride, power, and early bragging rights.
Messi’s impact can’t be overstated. He scored twice the last time these two met in October, leading Miami to a 3-2 win and sealing the Shield. This time around, he’s supported by an all-star cast including Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, creating a squad that’s as experienced as it is electric. On the other side, the Crew might not match Miami's superstar firepower, but under head coach Wilfried Nancy, they’ve become one of the most well-drilled teams in the league. And their newest signing, Daniel Gazdag, could prove to be a game-changer. Coming from the Philadelphia Union, he’s already one of MLS's most prolific scorers and now aims to fill the shoes of Cucho Hernández, who’s moved to Spain’s La Liga.
Even Crew players admit this doesn’t feel like a true home fixture, but they’re embracing the challenge. Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe said it best—it’s a huge stage, and the players are pumped for the atmosphere.
This match also holds historic weight—only the fourth time in MLS history that two unbeaten teams meet after five or more games. That’s rare. That’s elite. And it makes this showdown even more electric.
Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. ET, and it’s streaming live on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass. So whether you're team pink or team yellow, get ready for fireworks. Messi’s in town—and when he’s around, anything can happen.
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