- 6/2/2025
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00:00international tournament since their dramatic comeback at Philadelphia one
00:04week ago leveling a match in the 95th minute and following that moment with a
00:09decisive 4-2 win versus Montreal midweek there's a sense around the club that
00:15this momentum must be sustained they're seeking a regular season sweep of
00:21Columbus first kick South Florida minutes away
00:32what the computer is telling us the game of course is played with 22 human beings
00:39on the field and perhaps these numbers reflect the recent form of these sides
00:44Miami's had a relatively good week Columbus comes in winless in its last
00:49five matches looking to end that stretch tonight we're set for a good one here at
00:57Chase Stadium the referee in charge is Rosendo Mendoza he was the referee for
01:01the Eastern Conference final last year which many thought would feature these
01:06two clubs it included neither Jeffrey Greeson Kevin Locker his assistants and
01:12standing by in North Texas Edvin your assenage is the man in charge of bar
01:17John Krill is his assistant this evening
01:23Jordi Alba not part of the festivities tonight he's a spectator his status for
01:29the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup remains to be seen he is out tonight as is Gonzalo
01:36Lujan key players on the Miami back line who walked off with injury and the match played here on
01:44Wednesday as we get a look at Lionel Messi next goal for him will be his 30th in the regular season it
01:50would establish a new club record for Inter Miami we'll see if that comes tonight
01:55Columbus is an NLS original Miami a relative newbie but there's a history
02:04between these sides that's been brewing Inter Miami clinched the Supporters Shield
02:09last season October 2nd in Columbus a 3-2 victory in which Messi scored twice
02:15the crew defeated Miami on the road to a league's Cup title last year and we're underway tonight
02:23under the fireworks in Fort Lauderdale glad you've joined us on NLS season pass
02:28the crew in black Max Orpston gold cup bound starts the attack for Columbus and the switch to the right
02:37and Mohamed Farsi this is the one change to the starting eleven for the crew from midweek
02:44that ball played out now for a goal kick and it's good covering from Busquets but that will be the
02:48order of the day for Columbus we've seen already with Miami when they defend they defend narrow
02:53but they leave the opposite side of the pitch open and when you look at the likes of Farsi
02:58attack minded right wing back Orpston attack minded down the other side on the left wing back position
03:03they will be the out ball so be interested to see how my into Miami deal with that perhaps one reason that
03:08Marcelo Wagan the right back on the ball now for into Miami is the choice by Javier
03:15Mascherano tonight Ian Frey plays well maybe gives the team a little bit more an attack it is
03:20Wagan who draws big defensive responsibility with Arsten on that side tonight the Argentine plays ahead the return from Ben-Amin Kramaski is taken away
03:31Ibrahim Aliu working on Maxi Falcone first touch middle of the park for Lionel Messi but taken away
03:40I think there's a significance of importance as well when you look at the two wingers for Inter Miami because yes they're going to want to get forward to join it but they're going to have to cover
03:46Marrera when he looks to get forward from right side center back and Amundsen on the left hand side as well to make sure that Miami's two fullbacks don't win 2v1 against them
03:54Amundsen for the captain Darlington Nagby veteran of more than 400 NLS games across for Stephen Moreira
04:03and Farsi to the foot of Dylan Shambo
04:12Arsten collects for the Columbus crew
04:15walks one on one on Wagan able to work that ball across that's headed away
04:20Noah Allen with the clearance but Nagby with a neat touch gives to Shambo
04:24here's Mordana working right side of the 18
04:33broken up and it's out for a crew throw
04:36it's been a really good start for Columbus the way that they've settled
04:38they're always looking for overloads in particular in the wide areas and they're usually with different plays at different times
04:43but today we're already seeing two outside center backs they're the ones that are looking to join in with the wing backs
04:48dispossessed is Luis Suarez and taken back by Columbus again Nagby
04:56to the far side and played back for Farsi this is a group team seeking its first win since the third of May
05:03but still maintaining despite it's recent run of winless form a top-four position in the Eastern Conference
05:13It's been a great start from Columbus. Obviously, Interrambi, they've come into the game with the intention of sitting deep and sitting now, but at some point you have to go towards the opposition players. And they haven't done that. And it's a really good build up. Just Alleyou gets there first. Now the Falcone was not able to direct on target. He did want the corner. But a really positive start from Columbus so far.
05:43Oscar Ustadie, fresh off a contract extension in midweek. He and this Inter-Miami side have allowed multiple goals numerous times, seven times in their last eight matches in all competitions. And things complicated by injured players on the back line. They go long. Tadio Allende with the speed to get on this. Allende strikes off the line at the last moment. Oh, a heroic stop.
06:11Now the flag does go up on the near side. It looks as though the flag has actually gone up, though. It looked initially like it was for offside. The flag went up.
06:22Well, that's what Inter-Miami, they're looking to do. You just see the run here from Allende. Oh, I don't think he is. I don't think he is in an offside position. We know that the assistant referee keeps his flag down to see what happens as the end result. The ball doesn't go into the back of the net.
06:40But it's good play from Allende. We know that he's obviously playing on the wing, but he will drift inside. And a lot of the times what you'll find is Columbus will dominate the ball.
06:51And then Inter-Miami, they'll look to play on the counterattack. But that's where Sogovia and Allende are going to be really important, because they're the two of their fastest players in attack.
06:59Malte Amundsen knew about none of that and cleared that ball away. Here's Daniel Gazdag for Columbus.
07:06Tries to play it across for Alley, who's sent back the other way by Falcone. Settled again by Darlington Nagby.
07:13The crew captain for Arvston.
07:29Amundsen to the far side. Farsi is there for Columbus.
07:35Mo Farsi into the box, touched by Rossi, but that's all.
07:39You know, Miami trying to walk this out of harm's way. And they do.
07:43They have four in transition on the counter. And a big runway for Lionel Messi.
07:49Messi plays it across. Allende trying to get on this and broke it up by the crew.
07:54The work rate of Rossi then was unbelievable.
07:58He sprints all the way back. He's the one that just had an opportunity and he finds himself getting back to try and stop Messi and company.
08:05But what Columbus have to do, they're rest defending, they have to be marking players.
08:10Because we know that Messi, when his team are out of possession, he's always looking for where the space is.
08:14So when into Miami with the ball back, they can go straight away and potentially go over the press of Columbus.
08:19So the communication has to be absolutely spot on for Columbus to make sure that what we just saw then doesn't happen on a regular occurrence.
08:26That's Lionel Messi looking to continue what's already been a fantastic week.
08:31Remember, a week ago, scoring on a direct free kick in the come-from-behind draw that Miami produced on the road at Philadelphia.
08:40And then a player of the matchday performance in midweek against Montreal.
08:44Seventh time in his career, he's earned that honor.
08:47Here's Moreira.
08:54Whips the ball past the foot of Aliou.
08:57Ustadi will let it go for a goal kick.
09:00And what they're doing in Miami, when they're defending, they're defending really narrow.
09:03This will be the plan of Javier Mascherano.
09:06There's no question about it.
09:06He looks up to his place.
09:07Listen, when we're defending, we're defending narrow.
09:09We give up the whip to Columbus.
09:11Because what that will do, that will obviously entice the wing-backs forward.
09:14But it will entice the outside centre-backs forward as well.
09:16And that's where the likes of Messi then can go in positions that have been vacated by the outside centre-backs of Columbus.
09:22Weygan.
09:24Aliou thought he muscled Marcello Weygan off the ball.
09:28It's a free kick here for Inter-Miami.
09:30They wanted to play quickly.
09:32The referee, Mendoza, will play this back.
09:34As we look at Wilfred Nansi, age 48, third year with the Columbus crew,
09:40the coach of the year in Major League Soccer in 2024.
09:43His players will tell you our approach does not change whether we are home or away.
09:54Weygan to challenge for this near side with Arsene.
09:57He had some support with Kromoski.
09:59The foul is against Columbus.
10:00Yeah, just taking a look as well at Amundsen at the moment.
10:03He's just gone off.
10:05Sorry, he's just gone down off the ball.
10:08He definitely has a problem.
10:10See straight away, players looking to make sure that he's okay.
10:21And perhaps getting set to come in long before he anticipated.
10:26Cesar Rubelcaba is taking the warm-up off,
10:29and we may have an early substitution here for the Columbus crew and Wilfred Nansi.
10:34It certainly looks that way.
10:38Rubelcaba, the second-round pick in the 2025 draft out of Southern Methodist University.
10:46Signed from Crew 2 in March.
10:52Amundsen, the Danish defender, among his highlights,
10:55that unforgettable goal in the 2023 playoffs versus Atlanta.
11:00What do we see here?
11:01Yeah, we just see he's sending a signal straight away
11:03to the coaching staff, the medical staff as well.
11:09He's not able to continue.
11:17So it's the crew who employ the first substitution of the night.
11:20In the meantime, Busquets off the set piece.
11:24Settled in the box.
11:25Taken here by Allende.
11:26His chance blocked away.
11:28It's out for the first corner of the night for Inter-Miami.
11:36Talasco's Segovia set for Venezuelan duty will take it.
11:40Just seeing Inter-Miami,
11:41just trying to take advantage of any spaces in behind Columbus's back three.
11:47Messi for Kramowski.
11:49Able to work this across.
11:50David Martinez gets a hit to it.
11:52That's Falcone reaching out with the foot.
11:55It's coming back for a goal kick.
11:58Dangerous doings in the Columbus box.
12:00Yeah, it's worked really well.
12:01When the ball comes across to Martinez,
12:03you think Suarez or Falcone, one of them, has to get on the end of it.
12:09Just he's played across.
12:10Suarez maybe gets the slightest touch on it.
12:12Lovely ball from Kramowski.
12:15Played across.
12:16Yeah, he does.
12:17Suarez gets the slightest touch on it because I don't think,
12:19I think if he doesn't get any touch on it,
12:21then Falcone's putting it into the net.
12:24Rossi plays ahead and now the crew
12:26to the captain, Nagby.
12:29Here's Ravel Kaba
12:30and Max Orsten.
12:39Daniel Gazdag at this point,
12:41game number nine
12:43for the crew since the trade
12:45from the Philadelphia Union.
12:46Still seeking his first goal for the club.
12:48And now Rossi surveys
12:59Shambo.
13:06Switch to the left in Orsten.
13:08Rubel Kaba
13:17with Machinano from the sideline
13:19directing the Miami press.
13:21Played ahead by Chiberko.
13:29They're not forcing the issue
13:31at the moment into Miami's
13:32in terms of the pressing.
13:33So they're just trying to set traps for Columbus.
13:36And that's how they've had
13:37a couple of their opportunities.
13:39Playing the ball forward
13:39really, really quickly.
13:41In a way, into Miami.
13:42They're trying to do to Columbus
13:43what number of teams have been doing
13:44to into Miami in recent weeks.
13:46So we'll look at Nicholas Hagen
13:48getting the start
13:48for the third straight time
13:50for the crew, the Guatemalan.
13:52Guatemala actually plays
13:53a friendly tonight
13:54against El Salvador.
13:57Communication with
13:58the Guatemalan Federation,
14:00Wilfred Natsi.
14:01Not a man to stay here
14:02for a big league game
14:04with the club.
14:06Here's a starting.
14:07Dozen minutes gone by.
14:11Nil-nil in Fort Lauderdale.
14:14Coming back for this
14:15is Segovia.
14:19Links with Busquets.
14:22Challenge by Gazda.
14:23Commits the foul.
14:27Got the impression,
14:29speaking with Wilfred Natsi,
14:30as Messi works quickly
14:31on the restart
14:32and goes over the top.
14:33Allende with a shot.
14:35It's in the back of the net.
14:36Tadio Allende
14:37stretches the field
14:39and opens the scoring.
14:40Enter Miami
14:41with a 1-0 lead.
14:42His fourth goal
14:56in the last five matches.
15:01And Columbus
15:02caught flat-footed.
15:04They are
15:04and it's been a number
15:05of times as well
15:06where there's been
15:06space in behind
15:07and Inter Miami
15:08have tried to take advantage
15:09of it on a few occasions
15:10and they've got there
15:11this time as well.
15:13It was a really
15:14well-thought-out free kick.
15:15You've got the runners
15:16in behind.
15:17Allende,
15:17we know that he's
15:18a willing runner.
15:19You just see Messi,
15:20the ability that he's got
15:21to just play that ball.
15:23And there's probably
15:24a little bit of a question mark
15:25to say,
15:25Hagen,
15:26should he
15:26have come out
15:27a little bit earlier?
15:30Inter Miami,
15:31they don't care
15:31because the ball
15:32ends up
15:33in the back of the net.
15:33My only question mark
15:35is when Messi
15:36took that free kick.
15:37I don't know.
15:38Obviously,
15:38it's been looked at
15:39and it's been taken.
15:40It's been made sure
15:41that it's not happened.
15:42But I thought the ball
15:43was moving when Messi
15:44took that free kick.
15:47Instead,
15:48he will likely be credited
15:49for his second assist
15:51in his many games.
15:53And that midweek game
15:54against Montreal,
15:55his assist on a
15:56Luis Suarez goal
15:57was actually his first assist
15:58since Miami's opening game
16:01this season.
16:02Messi feeling it
16:03in this stretch
16:04wants Suarez
16:05but taken away.
16:08Given back to Inter Miami.
16:10What a touch by Bosquets.
16:12This is Suarez
16:13off a two-goal performance
16:15Wednesday of his own.
16:17Segovia out wide
16:18to the foot of Noah Allen.
16:25And now Falcone.
16:33Inter-Miami
16:34from the first meeting
16:36in Cleveland
16:37before 60,000
16:38a 1-0 scoreline.
16:40The crew will tell you
16:41they outplayed them that day
16:42with some metrics
16:44to back that up.
16:45They had the ball
16:46nearly 60% of the day
16:48and they at least
16:4916 shots
16:50in what was a frustrating
16:521-0 defeat.
16:53Messi with the steal.
16:54Messi parried away.
16:56That's in the back of the net.
16:57Hagen got a piece of it
16:59but not enough.
17:00It's a 2-0 game.
17:12Lionel Messi
17:13to double the lead
17:15in the opening quarter hour
17:17and Inter-Miami
17:18flying now
17:19on its own ground.
17:24Well, what a start
17:25from Inter-Miami.
17:27You just look
17:27when this pass
17:28comes back to Hagen
17:29all of a sudden
17:30he's under a bit of pressure.
17:31Kromasky does really well.
17:32He makes him go
17:33onto his left foot.
17:34He's not able to get
17:35the distance on it
17:36and the one person
17:37you do not want
17:38the ball to fall to
17:39is Messi
17:40because he just looks
17:41takes one touch
17:42and says
17:43thank you very much.
17:44Hagen is off his line.
17:45He doesn't cover himself
17:46in glory once again
17:47but you just see
17:48the clearance here.
17:49It's great play
17:49from Kromasky
17:50and then just a lob
17:52from Messi
17:52from a Columbus team
17:54that started really well.
17:56They find themselves
17:572-0 down
17:58after 15 minutes.
17:59Lionel Messi
18:00arrived in the summer
18:01of 2023.
18:03That's his 30th
18:04regular season goal
18:06and with that
18:07he passes
18:07Gonzalo Higuain
18:09for the most
18:09regular season goals
18:11in what is granted
18:12the brief history
18:13of Inter-Miami
18:15but man oh man
18:16it didn't take long.
18:18That's his ninth
18:18of the year.
18:20Incredible.
18:23Shambo free kick
18:24for Columbus
18:25which surprisingly
18:27finds itself
18:28down 2.
18:34Signal by Shambo
18:35curls towards
18:37the far post
18:38waiting on this
18:39Kramaski
18:40to head it away
18:40and taken by
18:44Offsen.
18:48Rubel Kaba
18:49to play back.
18:56And Astadi
18:57will innocently
18:58see that out.
19:00Big developments
19:01early on here
19:02at Chase Stadium
19:03as we look
19:03at Max Offsen
19:04bracing for
19:05the big summer
19:07with the United States
19:08men's national team
19:09they have friendlies
19:10against Turkey
19:11and Switzerland
19:11and the Gold Cup
19:13to follow.
19:14What role
19:14will he play?
19:22Pass by Allen
19:23comes right back
19:25to the young
19:27Miami defender
19:27and Suarez
19:29hauled down
19:30as play
19:31will be halted
19:32for a free kick.
19:33I think when you look
19:34at the possession
19:34this is something
19:35that Miami
19:36aren't traditionally
19:37used to
19:37but they are
19:38at their best
19:39when they don't
19:40have to dominate
19:40the ball.
19:41So far this season
19:42their four highest
19:42possessions
19:43they've lost
19:43two and drawn
19:44two conceded
19:4411
19:45their four lowest
19:45possessions
19:46they've won
19:47all four
19:47and conceded
19:48just two
19:49and the way
19:50that Columbus
19:50play
19:50they will not
19:51change for anybody
19:52and that
19:52could actually
19:53suit into Miami's
19:54in terms of
19:54being able to
19:55play on the
19:55counter attack
19:55and not leaving
19:56too much space
19:57in behind.
19:59Busquets
19:59and now Messi
20:01what a touch
20:02and the return
20:03from Wagan
20:03Kromoski
20:05wins the throw
20:07nothing is over
20:10until the crew
20:11says it's over
20:12down by two
20:13yes this appears
20:14daunting in the
20:15early stages
20:15but Wilfred
20:16Nazi's team
20:17does lead MLS
20:18in points one
20:19from losing
20:20positions
20:21seven two
20:24and seven
20:25on the year
20:25clubs only lost
20:26twice
20:27game we referenced
20:28in Cleveland
20:29and last
20:30weekend
20:31against
20:31Charlotte
20:31here's
20:41Marrera
20:41the
20:43ball
20:43and the
20:44ball
20:45and the
20:45team
20:46will go
20:47to the
20:48ball
20:48and the
20:49ball
20:49and the
20:50ball
20:50Cibarco, Hagan with another ball nearly taken away by into Miami but settled by the crew
21:08instead.
21:09Natby plays back and now Rossi, you can see there's definitely a little bit of nerves
21:16from Hagan after that last pass back that he just inadvertently played to Messi who
21:20put the ball into the back of the net.
21:24On the far side, Farsi with the crew trying to get back into this, Ustadti off his line
21:30and neatly to the foot of Martinez.
21:34Maxi Falcone for Inter Miami.
21:39A turn to the 11 from Maxi Falcone, not much of a choice for Marcidano really with
21:46that side, not as deep as he would prefer right now.
21:56Here's Hagan.
22:00Austin, Diego Rossi.
22:14Trying to play that back for Moreira, taken back by Inter Miami.
22:18Messi with Shambo all over him, Messi tries to escape the pressure, he's fouled instead.
22:24What they're doing really well Inter Miami, we know with Columbus they love to dominate
22:27at times through the middle, yes they want to go wide, but when Inter Miami are out of
22:31possession, Segovia and Ayunde, they're really, really narrow to make it sort of four versus
22:37two at times in that central midfield area that works in Miami's favour.
22:40Segovia taken off the ball, Rossi has this for Columbus.
22:53Darlington Nagby for Shambo.
22:58Flag stays down, Aliyua on the run, but booted away from him by Ustadti.
23:02Antonio Allende, while the flex up high, and it comes here to Falcone for Inter Miami.
23:13Ayunde spins away from Austin, fans like that, gives to Lionel Messi, the Miami captain, across
23:20for Segovia.
23:27Messi again, perfectly playing throw.
23:29No, Allen works it across by the arm, outstretched of Hagen, and
23:35flag does go up on the near side anyway.
23:39The player's spotlight is presented by Allstate.
23:42You are in good hands when Cucho departed.
23:45One of the big questions, where would the goals come from?
23:48The answer, largely, Diego Rossi this year.
23:50Yeah, and it's very, very similar to when Zeller Ayant left,
23:53and then Cucho came into his own.
23:56I think he feels a responsibility more so now, Rossi, and whether he's playing,
24:00we know that that front three is very interchangeable at times.
24:02He'll be that false nine, but if Columbus are going to get themselves back into this game,
24:06he needs to be a huge part of it. He's been relatively quiet so far.
24:11Resume that does include a golden boot in MLS.
24:14Granted, that was just 14 goals in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
24:18He's been good this year.
24:20Suarez has been good for a thousand games.
24:23Luis Suarez going for goal and sends it by the far post.
24:29Just getting, they're getting caught out at the moment, Columbus.
24:32They're dominating the ball.
24:33Columbus, and what they're doing, they're losing the ball in dangerous areas,
24:36and then into Miami.
24:37They're just going for it.
24:39You just see here, it's brilliant from Messi.
24:41Hagan, like I say, he will not look back at that with much joy whatsoever.
24:48The fact if he was the one that passed the ball to Messi,
24:51but I go back to Kramaski as well.
24:52It was really good pressing for him to make sure that he had to open up the other way.
24:56And Messi was just delighted to receive the ball, and he does what Messi does.
25:00This is impressive from Miami early, Danny, in the respect that they're reading the game very well
25:05against what is numerically the best passing team in MLS in Columbus.
25:09I just think that Intimami are a far better team when they're able to be compacted,
25:14when they're able to be deep at times.
25:15They've got runners in, Allende and Segovia.
25:18How many times, Columbus have tried a couple of times to play the ball over Intimami's defense,
25:22which has been that weakness? Going long, flag stays down for Messi, Lionel Messi is in!
25:27Oh my, it's the goalkeeper a second straight week, and it's a 3-0 game.
25:33It's been a week-long masterclass from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
25:53Mid-first half, the lead has grown to three.
25:57It's once again just setting the traps continuously.
26:01You see the high line, and you can see it's actually Farsi, the right wing-back that's playing Messi on.
26:07He's not in line with the rest of the back five, and it's a simple finish for Messi once again.
26:13And it's been a quite sensational first half from Intimami, whereas for Columbus,
26:19it's been the complete opposite. What a ball from Busquets, but it's too easy.
26:23It is far too easy, but I go back to the game plan from Intimami.
26:27They've been happy to sit back, happy to allow Columbus onto them, win the ball back,
26:31and then get the ball forward as soon as possible.
26:33They've not even given Columbus the opportunity to counter-press, which is what they are known for as well.
26:39That's why they've always played the high line. At the moment, Intimami winning the ball back,
26:42making that first pass, making sure the counter-press can't happen,
26:45and the next ball is going over the top, and they've taken full advantage of it.
26:49Lionel Messi has hit ten goals in just over a thousand minutes in MLS this season already.
26:54So that's a perfect example. So many times this season, we've seen balls played over the top,
26:59down the side, and that's left the back four of Intimami isolated. Now when Columbus are trying
27:05to play that longer ball, it's going through to Astari, and that's the starting lines defensively
27:09from Intimami. Suarez finds Allende.
27:13Tadio Allende back for Suarez. Look at Miami. Messi plays into the back. Suarez!
27:19Sharp angle! That chance blocked away! Allende gave it a go, but cleared away by the crew.
27:24Gazzdog will settle here for Columbus.
27:38This is Nagby with the crew trying to get this game under control.
27:46If you look at this game and the way it's set out right from the start, it was all about one team
27:51trying to control the game in possession, Columbus, and one team
27:54trying to control the game out of possession in Intimami. And Intimami have done exceptionally well,
27:59apart from the first five minutes where Columbus had a few looks.
28:02Now what they're doing, they're saying to Columbus, yes, you can go into this area,
28:04you can go into this area, because when we win the ball back, we're going to strike
28:08and we're going to get at you with one pass, and they've done it so well so far.
28:14For the crew, Rubel Kaba, who's come in for the injured Malte Amundsen in this first half.
28:21He's coming off the rails for the crew. Rubel Kaba again.
28:29Here's Shambo.
28:30Here's Shambo.
28:47Nagby back in his own area against the Miami side right now that's smelling blood in the water.
28:51Rossi, though, with a nice turn to get away from Kromoski initially.
28:55Gets here to Daniel Gazdar. Taking off his foot, defended by Segovia. And now Messi again.
29:03They're so compact defensively. Yes, they're staying in that 4-4-2, but they're moving up and
29:08down the pitch together. There's no gap between the defensive midfield or the attack, so it means
29:14that none of the players for Inter Miami are finding themselves isolated.
29:22What Machirano has been searching for for the longest time. This is a Miami team, 15 goals conceded in
29:30the last five matches they've played. 25 goals allowed in their last nine coming into tonight.
29:35Chiberko.
29:44Called up to the Ukraine national team. They have friendlies coming up, including one against
29:48Canada in the coming days. Shambo tries to walk that across.
29:54Blocked away. Wagan to make the play. Clearing out towards the middle of the park, but Nagby's
29:59waiting for it again. Here's Orfston.
30:15Rubo Kama.
30:15Here's Farsi.
30:26Gazzdog for Moreira.
30:30Two Miami defenders to contend with. It's taken away, and they work it up top for Suarez.
30:37Lead back here for Noah Allen.
30:39Inter-Miami blitz in the opening 28-plus minutes of the match.
30:50Messi with two, Allende with one. 3-0 Inter-Miami.
30:56Here's Busquets. Messi again. Segovia.
31:01Suarez back for Tolasco. Segovia.
31:16Busquets. Messi again with a touch in the 18. Messi!
31:21Fortunate for Columbus. They had the defender on the line, although the flag does go up on the near
31:28side anyway. Jeffrey Griesen raises.
31:30Busquets is causing a huge problem. We're used to seeing him as a defensive midfielder.
31:35Columbus think that he's just going to sit. He's not sitting, but there's nobody picking him up,
31:39because Nagby is having to track a lot of the times either Messi or Suarez when he comes in a little bit deeper.
31:44So what you're finding is the back three for Columbus at the moment, they're marking one player or at times no players.
31:50So one of the back three or two of the back three, they need to get more involved in terms of maybe pushing to midfield,
31:54because at the moment, Busquets is just having free reign to do exactly what he wants to do.
31:59Columbus looking for the one moment to turn the tide here.
32:02Shambo.
32:05To an open, Nagby.
32:06Here's Rubel Kama.
32:23Just seeing Mascherano just saying to his players, no need to press.
32:27Don't press. That's what Columbus are waiting for. They're waiting for that start and press to try and isolate.
32:33But at the moment, you can just see, in time, all the plays in front of them work so much better for them.
32:39And all they say to Columbus, you can go backwards and you can go sideways, but they're not going to get behind us and they're doing it really well.
32:44I think our viewers are seeing all ten Miami players in one singular camera shot here.
32:49This is the best they've moved maybe this season.
32:51Yeah, and the reason that is happening is because of the team, because of the team that they're playing against.
32:57So they're able to pick up these balls and then obviously they see the foul there.
33:00But that's what's happening because they're not having to dominate the ball. They're not getting stretched.
33:04They're saying to Columbus, we're going to sit back and then we're good to go.
33:08The player comparison is presented by Celsius.
33:10Pure passion, maximum energy with zero sugar.
33:13We're keeping an eye on two old pros. Sergio Busquets, Darlington, Nagby tonight.
33:18And it goes back to what I'm saying. We're seeing Busquets, he's covered more ground than Nagby.
33:21Not too much, but that's because Busquets is being the instigator.
33:24He's realising that he's got space to run into.
33:26Nagby is just being concerned with Messi and Suarez, one of them dropping off.
33:31And what he needs to do, he needs to be able to say to one of his centre backs, listen, it's three versus two.
33:34If Suarez or Messi drops off, one of you have to go to him.
33:38Because at the moment, Nagby's not able to play the role that he wants to play.
33:41And that means that Busquets is able to shine and go forward himself, because he's made some beautiful passes so far.
33:47And we know how good he is with his distribution from deep, but this is a little bit higher of the pitch for Busquets.
33:53Kazdard got a piece of Kramovsky a moment ago.
33:56There's a sense of frustration, because Intermami are doing really, really well.
34:00And it's all to do with the shape that they're playing with out of possession,
34:04which then leads to the transition working really well for them when they get the ball back.
34:08Leonelle Messi with two goals in this first half.
34:14Kramovsky for Wagan.
34:19Played back crisply by Busquets, and now Falcone across.
34:25A warm night in South Florida.
34:28There's barely a breeze in this stadium.
34:30It's been that way much of the day in the Fort Lauderdale area.
34:37MLS 360 has you covered with all that's happening on this match day 17.
34:43St. Louis City with its first win since March 15th earlier today.
34:48New York City had to come from behind draw versus Nashville.
34:51And I think when we talk about certain plays, we talk about, when we talk about future and Ramirez,
34:56who have obviously left Columbus now, we talk about how much they affect the game on the ball.
35:00Sometimes we forget how much they affected the game off the ball.
35:03And what's happening is Columbus are still playing the same high line.
35:07They go over the top for Aliou as the flag stays down.
35:10Falcone retreating and breaks it up.
35:13He will, well, the intention was to concede the corner, but the flag did go up.
35:18Continue, Danny.
35:18Yeah, so just going back to what I was talking about.
35:20The back three for Columbus is still playing a higher line as it always has to.
35:23We know that Wilfred Nancy likes connection throughout the pitch,
35:26but the pressing higher up the pitch isn't as good.
35:31It isn't as collected because you've got new plays in the team that are still adjusting.
35:34So what that means is the opposition plays.
35:36They've probably got an extra three seconds on the ball,
35:38which gives them that time to get the head up and then pick that pass.
35:41We've seen our numerous occasions in the past few weeks.
35:44Teams getting in behind this Columbus team.
35:47Busquets going long in the direction of Allende.
35:52Players on this Miami side.
35:54He's the one best equipped to stretch the field for the side.
35:58Saves this, gives to Messi.
36:01Back for David Martinez.
36:02Noah Allen for Inter-Miami.
36:11We got...
36:21This now highest scoring team in Major League Soccer into Miami with 32,
36:28including the three that put past Nico Hagen here tonight.
36:33One of the reasons we refer to Columbus as a team that never feels out of it.
36:37Third year of the Nazi era, MLS highest scoring team in that time.
36:41They did come into play tonight, ninth in the league in goals scored during the weekend anyway.
36:50Gazda...
36:54Racing on to this Fossey.
36:55Mo Fossey continues on, still has it at the top of the box,
36:58trying to work it across for Ofston, broke it up.
37:03That's Wigand who made the play, Allende on the ball.
37:06And waiting on this Segovia.
37:21So many of the players that we're watching tonight bracing for international duty.
37:25Segovia is one of the big World Cup qualifiers that he'll be part of
37:29for Venezuela in the coming week and a half.
37:36We have nine players on the first team alone with some support of
37:42quality for international duty.
37:44Some affected by injuries, including the number one keeper, Patrick Schulte.
37:48Sean Zawacki.
37:52Wigand, Falcone.
38:06I'll ski for Allende.
38:11People who keep this ball in and he wins the throw for Inter Miami.
38:17It's one of the things in this recent surge by Inter Miami that they've recaptured.
38:21Allende and Segovia who were so good early in the year and then they went away for a spell seemingly.
38:28They both had big contributions in the last eight days.
38:31And it's the energy that they bring.
38:33It's the threat that they bring in behind as well.
38:36Because what happens is when you're playing against the likes of Segovia and Allende,
38:40and you see the pace that they've got, you drop.
38:42That means that the possession now Messi can go and drop.
38:46Just basically orchestrate the game.
38:48Messi again, perfectly weighted pass to the foot of Allende.
38:52The return from Wigand.
39:01Here's Busquets in traffic.
39:02They get it to Messi again.
39:04Played to Segovia.
39:06Tried to thread the needle for Lionel Messi, but broken up.
39:11Played back by Busquets.
39:17The crew now doing some chasing with Allende on the ball.
39:22And here's Martinez.
39:33Hagen boots it high.
39:34Headed away by Busquets.
39:38And here's Martinez.
39:44Messi.
39:48Taken back by the crew.
39:50Here comes Diego Rossi the other way.
39:54Rossi trying to blow past Wigand, who's been pretty strong in this first half.
39:58It's a foul against Inter Miami here, though.
40:02This exclusive net cam replay is brought to you by T-Mobile.
40:06It's just genius from Messi.
40:08Hagen just gets caught out once again.
40:10He's in no man's land.
40:12And then Messi does what Messi does best.
40:14Wonderful finish makes it look squeezy as well.
40:19Daniel Gazdag for Columbus.
40:29Rossi with a good ball.
40:31Gazdag at the edge of the 18.
40:33Daniel Gazdag back for Nagby.
40:35The flag is up on the crew.
40:41Much to the dismay of Daniel Gazdag.
40:46He'll return to NLS action into Miami, Will, on June 28th.
40:51But that game against Atlanta United.
40:54Put a bit of an escuris next to that.
40:56Because if Inter Miami gets out of the group in the Club World Cup,
41:00that game would most certainly have to be postponed.
41:04Tough assignment for Inter Miami.
41:05We've talked about that.
41:06They open June 14th, Al-Ali.
41:11The Egyptian club will be the first appointment.
41:13And then Porto from Portugal, Palmeiras of Brazil after that.
41:18But they've got going for them, though.
41:20Two of the three games will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in nearby Miami.
41:25I think what we can say as well, we look at the last three games.
41:29The form that they've been in, if we count this one as well.
41:31They're going in in good form at the moment.
41:34Obviously, we know of clubbers what they're capable of.
41:36We know that Miami have been conceded.
41:38A lot of goals have looked effectively very, very solid in his first half so far.
41:44As Falcón plays back to Astani.
41:48City players will have duties in between this game and the start of that tournament.
41:53That includes Messi.
41:54He has accepted the ball to Argentina.
41:57There was some discussion about that with the reigning world champions already having qualified
42:02for the 2026 World Cup.
42:04But he will go.
42:05Here comes Inter-Miami.
42:06They've been going most of the night, brought down by Segovia in the box.
42:10Ruval Kaba back to defend.
42:13The flag is up.
42:14It's just a high foot from Segovia.
42:17What they're doing, you know, you look at Segovia and Allende,
42:21they're sort of becoming number tens when they're in possession.
42:24And Columbus don't have an answer at the moment.
42:26And I go back to, obviously, saying what I was saying about the back three.
42:30You just see the high foot here, Ruval Kaba.
42:33But one of the back three, they don't have anybody to mark.
42:38They don't have anybody to mark at all.
42:40So they're getting outnumbered in midfield.
42:41So one of the back three needs to go and step in.
42:44Because at the moment, Nagby's not even able to have an effect on the game.
42:46Because he's being outnumbered.
42:47He has long been a barometer of how good this team can be on a given night.
42:58The number of touches, the number of ways he impacts a game defensively.
43:07Four-time NLS Cup champion Darlington Nagby.
43:10It's a sign of respect for him, because what you're finding is,
43:13is when Columbus are in possession,
43:17Suarez, at times, is just dropping on Nagby to make sure he can't get on the ball.
43:22Because we know the more that Nagby sees with the ball,
43:24the better that it is for Columbus.
43:26Darlington Nagby links with Rossi.
43:30Here comes the Columbus crew.
43:31Diego Rossi lays this ahead.
43:33Has Alio! Alio shoots!
43:35No!
43:41Maybe the best chance of the night for the Columbus crew.
43:43Falcone isn't happy, he believes that it's offside when the ball's played.
43:51You can see that, I think he is, looks like Allen's just playing him on,
43:54and the referee's just going up to Falcone now, because it's a couple of times.
43:57He's looked at the assistant referee and said that it should be offside.
44:01As we've seen from that replay, he's in an onside position.
44:04He has to make so much more of that opportunity.
44:07The Nigerian, Ibrahim Alio, this is his seventh game in a crew shirt.
44:12He did open his Columbus account last week against Charlotte.
44:20Wilfred Nancey going right back to him in the starting 11 tonight after the draw.
44:24Midweek against Nashville.
44:26Here, the crew down three.
44:28Late stages of the first half.
44:30Falcone, brought down by Nagby.
44:34Nagby, fouled by Martinez, and a dangerous free kick opportunity now for the crew.
44:40That's where Nagby wants to be.
44:41He wants to be in those positions where he can pick up the second balls,
44:44get hold of the ball, but at times he's had to go too deep through no fault of his own,
44:48and that's where the back three, they have to have an understanding that
44:52at times they need Nagby a little bit higher so he can go and pick up
44:55those balls which have been won too often by Inter Miami in this first half.
44:58There's Ustadi to set the wall for Inter Miami.
45:14Rossi a candidate, Shambo a candidate on the direct free kick.
45:1943 minutes gone by, the crew looking for a path back into this game.
45:32Rossi is the Columbus leader with eight goals on the season.
45:35Referee Mendoza, he's going to back up the wall a few inches here.
45:45And now we're ready.
45:50It's all, Diego Rossi.
45:52Wall does its job.
45:55Shambo up to challenge.
45:56It was mishit on the clearance, but Allen makes no mistake and gets it away.
46:05These are the team benches built by the Home Depot for Inter Miami.
46:11Aviles is available.
46:13He left midweek due to injury as well.
46:15We could see Leo Alfonso with a bench that's not as deep as
46:19we usually see it for Inter Miami.
46:21And at the disposal of Wilfred Nazi with his team down three,
46:24some of the offensive options include Jason Russell Rowe and A.Z. Jackson.
46:32It's a big mountain to climb now, late in this first half.
46:36I'd be surprised to see a couple of changes from Wilfred Nazi
46:40at half-time just to get Jackson energy.
46:44Because there's just been no answer for Columbus so far into having
46:47now doing what they want to do.
46:49So much of it is to do with the movement off the ball.
46:51Busquets with a release.
46:53Allende racing for it.
46:55Chiberko to snuff that out.
46:58But more pressure by Kromoski to win it back.
47:01They play it into the box.
47:02Big shot by Suarez.
47:04And there's Hagen who got a handout to deny him.
47:07It's out for a corner.
47:08Well, we've spoken about a number of plays for Inter Miami so far in this first half.
47:11But Kromoski, he's been up there with the best of him.
47:14His pressing has been absolutely vital.
47:17See the ball in there to Allende.
47:19And then Suarez.
47:20I think it's not the greatest of first half.
47:22But that's a really good save to stop Suarez.
47:25Getting on the score sheet himself.
47:26The corner is played short by Inter Miami.
47:35This is Segovia.
47:38Works it back for Allen.
47:44Kromoski harassed by Rossi.
47:48And Messi.
47:51Able to control with two defenders.
47:53Still Lionel Messi.
47:58Added time as presented by Audi.
48:00As the corner was being taken, fourth official has informed us of three minutes.
48:11Here's Messi again.
48:14Trying to fend off Magby.
48:16He has fouled free kick.
48:17He's just incredible.
48:21You just look at him and how his tight ball control is unbelievable.
48:25His strength, his low center of gravity.
48:28He just never fails to amaze.
48:30He just makes everything look so...
48:32Yeah.
48:33So...
48:33So...
48:33Thanks, buddy.
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