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Columbus Crew look to remain undefeated vs Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
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- Columbus Crew look to remain undefeated vs Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
The Crew are no strangers to high-intensity matchups against Inter Miami.
In 2024, the two Eastern Conference teams battled three times - twice in the regular season and once in the Leagues Cup round of 16. Miami won the regular-season series 2-0 , but Columbus advanced in Leagues Cup with a 3-2 victory and went on to win the tournament's title.
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"It's a team that's really good," Crew defender Sean Zawadzki said. "They find ways to get results, and they have special players. So, it's a team we're really looking forward to. Obviously, we're two teams, in the last couple of years, have been at the top of the league."
Oct 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira (31) chases down a ball beside Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) during the second half of the MLS soccer game at Lower.com Field. Miami won 3-2.
Their first matchup in 2025 on April 19 in Cleveland will be a battle between the only undefeated teams in MLS play, as Columbus (5-0-3) and Miami (4-0-3) sit with the two best records over a quarter-way through the regular season.
Star forward Lionel Messi has been the key factor in keeping Miami undefeated, scoring three goals in four games played.
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More: Will Lionel Messi play for Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew in Cleveland?
The 37-year-old has faced Columbus only once. His two goals in Miami's 3-2 victory in October gave the Crew a glimpse of what to expect.
"This is a good team with good players, especially one player," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. "It is amazing what he (Messi) does at his age."
Miami returns other key players such as Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets , so the Crew are prepared for the direct style of play they saw from Miami during the 2024 season but also know there will be differences in Miami's game under new coach Javier Mascherano .
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Mascherano took over for Tata Martino during the offseason and has led Miami to CONCACAF Champions Cup success, reaching the semifinals which start April 24.
"Everybody knows the quality they have," Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe said. "With the addition of their new coach, they're better than ever. So, we're expecting to have another classic, honestly. We enjoy these matches because it's very high level, and it brings the best out of us."
The Crew had to find their footing following the offseason departures of Cucho Hernandez and Christian Ramirez and failed to get past their first round of Champions Cup, f alling 4-2 to Los Angeles FC in aggregate goals.
Aug 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Inter Miami CF defender Tomas Aviles (6) kicks the ball away from Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi (10) during the first half of the Leagues Cup round of 16 game at Lower.com Field.
With Russell-Rowe and forward Diego Rossi starting the hit their offensive stride, and with the addition of Daniel Gazdag joining from the Philadelphia Union on April 11, the Crew have built a solid scoring unit and become more offensively consistent.
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Across eight games, the Crew have 12 goals and a league-best six goals allows, the exact numbers Miami have recorded in seven games.
"It's going to be a good game to play," Nancy said. "We know this team can score at any moment. They have a lot of experience. Obviously, they're going to have high intensity also, and I expect a really good game."
The Crew kickoff against Miami at 4:30 p.m. on April 19 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew prepared for Lionel Messi, Inter Miami in Cleveland
