any thought of full match? Mention us on X
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
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 Jordi Alba not part of the festivities
01:26tonight he's a spectator his status for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup remains to be
01:33seen he is out tonight as is Gonzalo Lujan key players on the Miami back line who
01:40walked off with injury and the match played here on Wednesday as we get a look at
01:46Lionel Messi next goal for him will be his 30th in the regular season it would
01:51establish a new club record for into Miami we'll see if that comes tonight
01:56Columbus is an MLS original Miami a relative newbie but there's a history between these
02:05sides that's been brewing inner Miami clinch the Supporters Shield last season October 2nd in Columbus a 3-2 victory in which Messi
02:14scored twice the 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 MLS season pass the crew in black
02:31Max Austin gold cup down starts the attack for Columbus and the switch to the right and Mohamed Farsi this is the one change
02:41to the starting 11 for the crew
02:42from midweek that ball played out now for a goal kick and it's good covering from Busquets but that will be the order of the day for Columbus
02:49we've seen already with Miami when they defend they defend narrow but they leave the opposite side of the pitch open and when you look at the
02:57likes of Farsi attack minded right wing back Arfston attack minded down the other side on the left wing back position they will be the
03:04outlaws so be interested to see how my into Miami deal with that perhaps one reason that
03:09Marcelo Wagan the right back on the ball now for into Miami is the choice by Javier
03:15Mascherano tonight he and Frey plays well maybe gives the team a little bit more an attack it
03:20is Wagan who draws big defensive responsibility with our stood on that side tonight the Argentine
03:27plays ahead the return from Ben Amin Kramaski is taken away
03:32Ibrahim Aliou
03:34working on Maxi Falcone
03:36first 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 into Miami because yes
03:44they're going to want to get forward to joining but they're gonna have to cover
03:47Moreira when he looks to get forward from right side center back and Amundsen on the left hand side as well to make sure
03:52that Miami's two fullbacks don't win 2v1 against them
03:55Amundsen for the captain Darlington Nagby
03:58veteran of more than 400 NLS games across for Stephen Moreira
04:03and Farsi to the foot of Dylan Shambo
04:09Austin 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
04:25here's Mordana
04:30working 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 they're always looking for overloads in particular in the wide areas and they're usually with different plays at different times but today we're already seeing two outside center backs they're the ones that are looking to join in with the wing backs
04:50dispossessed as Luis Suarez and taken back by Columbus again
04:54Nagby
04:57to the far side and played back for Farsi this is a
05:00crew team seeking its first win since the third of may
05:04but still maintaining despite its recent run of
05:09winless form a top four position in the eastern conference
05:14trailing Nashville by a point
05:16taken here by Columbus this ball takes a deflection it's out wide
05:20Aliou cutting and it's coming back for a goal kick
05:22it's been a great start from Columbus
05:24obviously into Rambi they've come into the game with the intention of sitting deep and sitting
05:28now but at some point you have to go towards the opposition players and they haven't done that
05:32and it's a really good build up just Aliou gets there first
05:36the Falcone was not able to direct on target he did want the corner
05:40a really positive start from Columbus so far
05:42Oscar Ustadie fresh off a contract extension in midweek
05:48he and this inner Miami side have allowed multiple goals numerous times seven times in their last eight matches
05:56in all competitions and things complicated by injured players on the back line they go long
06:02Antonio Allende with the speed to get on this
06:04Allende strikes up one defender
06:06and this one saved off the line at the last moment
06:10a heroic stop now the flag does go up on the near side
06:14it looks as though it looks as though the flag has actually gone up though
06:18it looked initially like it was for offside the flag went up
06:22well that's what into Miami they're looking to do you just see the run here from Allende
06:28I don't think he is
06:30I don't think he is in an offside position
06:32we know that the assistant referee keeps his flag down
06:34to see what happens as the end result
06:37the ball doesn't go into the back of the net
06:40but it's good play from Allende
06:42we know that
06:44we know that he's obviously playing on the wing
06:46but he will drift inside and a lot of the times
06:48what you'll find is Columbus will dominate the ball
06:50and then into Miami they'll look to play on the counter-attack
06:52but that's where Segovia and Allende
06:54are going to be really important because they're the two of their fastest players in attack
06:57and attack
06:58Malte Amundsen knew about none of that
07:01and cleared that ball away
07:02here's Daniel Gazdag for Columbus
07:05tries to play it across for Ali who sent back the other way
07:09by Falcone settled again by Darlington Nagby
07:12the crew captain for Arvston
07:29Amundsen to the far side
07:31Farsi is there for Columbus
07:34Mo Farsi into the box touched by Rossi
07:37but that's all
07:39here in Miami trying to work this out of harm's way
07:41and they do
07:42they have four in transition on the counter
07:45and a big runway for Lionel Messi
07:48Messi plays it across
07:50Allende trying to get on this and broken up by the crew
07:53the work rate of Rossi then was unbelievable
07:56he sprints all the way back
07:59he's the one that just had an opportunity
08:01and he finds himself getting back to try and stop
08:03Messi and company
08:04but what Columbus have to do
08:06they're rest defending
08:07they have to be marking players
08:09because we know that Messi
08:10when his team are out of possession
08:12he's always looking for where the space is
08:13so when into Miami with the ball back
08:15they can go straight away
08:16and potentially go over the press of Columbus
08:18so the communication has to be absolutely spot on
08:21for Columbus to make sure
08:23that what we just saw then
08:24doesn't happen on a regular occurrence
08:26Lionel Messi looking to continue
08:28what's already been a fantastic week
08:30remember a week ago
08:31scoring on a direct free kick
08:34in the come from behind draw
08:36that Miami
08:38produced on the road at Philadelphia
08:40and then a player of the matchday performance
08:42in midweek against Montreal
08:44seventh time in his career
08:45he's earned that honor
08:47here's Moreira
08:51whips the ball past the foot of Aliou
08:56Ustadte will let it go for a goal kick
08:59and what they're doing in Miami
09:00when they're defending
09:01they're defending really narrow
09:02this will be the plan
09:04of Javier Mascherano
09:05there's no question about it
09:06he will have said to his place
09:07this one when we're defending
09:08we're defending narrow
09:09we give up the whip to Columbus
09:10because what that will do
09:11that will obviously entice
09:12the wing backs forward
09:13but it will entice
09:14the outside centre backs forward as well
09:16and that's where the likes of Messi then can go in positions
09:19that have been vacated by
09:20the outside centre backs of Columbus
09:22and the outside centre backs of the ball
09:27it's a free kick here for Inter Miami
09:29he wanted to play quickly
09:31the referee Mendoza will play this back
09:33as we look at Wilfred Nancy age 48
09:37third year with the Columbus crew
09:39the coach of the year in Major League Soccer in 2024
09:43his players will tell you our approach does not change
09:48whether we are home or away
09:53Wigan to challenge for this near side with Arsden
09:56he had some support with Kromoski
09:58the foul is against Columbus
10:00and just taking a look as well at Amundsen
10:02at the moment he's just gone off
10:04sorry he's just gone down off the ball
10:06he definitely has a problem
10:09see straight away
10:13players
10:15looking to make sure
10:17that he's okay
10:19and perhaps getting
10:21set to come in
10:23long before he anticipated
10:25Cesar Rubel Cava is taking the warm-up off
10:28and we may have an early substitution here
10:31for the Columbus crew
10:32and Wilfred Nancy
10:34certainly looks that way
10:37Rubel Cava the second round pick
10:39in the 2025 draft
10:41out of Southern Methodist University
10:45signed from Crew 2 in March
10:51Amundsen the Danish defender
10:53among his highlights
10:54that unforgettable goal
10:56in the 2023 playoffs
10:58versus Atlanta
10:59what do we see here?
11:00you just see he's sending
11:01he's sending a signal straight away
11:05to the coaching staff
11:06physical
11:07the medical staff as well
11:08that he's not able to continue
11:16so it's the crew who employ
11:17the first substitution of the night
11:19in the meantime
11:20Busquets off the set piece
11:22settled in the box
11:24taken here by Allende
11:26his chance blocked away
11:28it's out for the first corner
11:29of the night
11:30for Inter-Miami
11:35Talasco Segovia
11:37set for Venezuelan
11:38duty will take it
11:39just seeing Inter-Miami
11:40just trying to take advantage
11:41of any spaces
11:42in behind
11:43Columbus's back three
11:45Messi for Kramaski
11:48able to work this across
11:49David Martinez
11:50gets a head to it
11:51that's Falcone
11:52reaching out with the foot
11:54it's coming back
11:55for a goal kick
11:56dangerous doings
11:58in the Columbus box
11:59it was worked really well
12:00when the ball comes across
12:01to Martinez
12:02you think
12:03you think Suarez
12:04or Falcone
12:05one of them has to get
12:06on the end of it
12:07just he's played across
12:09Suarez
12:10maybe gets the slightest touch
12:11on it
12:12lovely ball from Kramaski
12:14played across
12:15yeah he does
12:16Suarez gets the slightest touch
12:17on it
12:18because I don't think
12:19I think if he doesn't get
12:20any touch on it
12:21then Falcone's putting it
12:22into the net
12:23Rossi plays ahead
12:24and now the crew
12:25to the captain Nagby
12:27here's Ravel Kaba
12:30and Max Orsten
12:33Daniel Gosdok
12:40at this point game
12:41number nine
12:42for the crew
12:43since the trade
12:44from the Philadelphia
12:45Union
12:46still seeking his first goal
12:47for the club
12:51Shambo
12:54Hungarian Gosdok
12:57and now Rossi
12:58surveys
12:59Shambo
13:03switch to the left
13:06in Orsten
13:07Rivel Kaba
13:16with Machinano
13:17from the sideline
13:18directing the Miami press
13:19played ahead by Chiberko
13:29they're not forcing the issue
13:30at the moment into Miami's
13:31in terms of the pressing
13:32so they're just trying to set
13:33traps for Columbus
13:35and that's how they've had
13:36a couple of their opportunities
13:38playing the ball forward
13:39really really quickly
13:40in a way into Miami
13:41they're trying to do to Columbus
13:42what number of teams
13:43have been doing
13:44to into Miami
13:45in recent weeks
13:46look at Nicolas Hagen
13:47getting the start
13:48for the third straight time
13:49for the crew
13:50the Guatemalan
13:51Guatemala actually plays
13:53a friendly tonight
13:54against El Salvador
13:55communication with
13:57the Guatemalan Federation
13:59Wilfred Natsi
14:00not his man to stay here
14:02for a big league game
14:03with the club
14:04here's a study
14:06dozen minutes gone by
14:10nil-nil in Fort Lauderdale
14:12coming back for this is
14:15Segovia
14:16links with Busquets
14:19challenged by Gosdok
14:22commits the foul
14:23the impression
14:28speaking with Wilfred Natsi
14:29as
14:30Messi works quickly
14:31on the restart
14:32and goes over the top
14:33Allende with a shot
14:34it's in the back of the net
14:35Tadio Allende
14:36stretches the field
14:38and opens the scoring
14:39into Miami
14:40with a 1-0 lead
14:41for the 1-0 lead
14:54his fourth goal
14:55in the last five matches
15:01and Columbus caught
15:02flat-footed
15:03they are and it's been
15:04a number of times as well
15:05where there's been
15:06space in behind
15:07and into Miami
15:08have tried to take advantage
15:09on a few occasions
15:10and they've got there
15:11this time as well
15:12it was a really
15:13well thought out
15:14free kick
15:15you've got the runners
15:16in behind
15:17Allende we know that
15:18he's a willing runner
15:19you just see Messi
15:20the ability that he's got
15:21to just play that ball
15:22and then there's probably
15:23a little bit of a
15:24question mark to say
15:25Hagan should he
15:26have come out
15:27a little bit earlier
15:30and to Miami
15:31they don't care
15:32because the ball ends up
15:33in the back of the net
15:34my only question mark is
15:35when Messi took that
15:36free kick
15:37I don't know
15:38obviously it'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 was moving
15:43when Messi
15:44when Messi took that free kick
15:46instead he will likely be credited for
15:49his second assist in his many games
15:52and that midweek game against Montreal
15:54his assist on a Luis Suarez goal
15:56was actually his first assist
15:58since Miami's opening game this season
16:01Messi feeling it in this stretch
16:03wants Suarez but taken away
16:05given back to enter Miami
16:09what a touch by Busquets
16:10this is Suarez
16:12off a two goal performance
16:14Wednesday of his own
16:16Segovia wide
16:17to the foot of Noah Allen
16:19and now Falcone
16:32in Miami
16:34from the first meeting in Cleveland
16:36before 60,000 a 1-0 scoreline
16:38the crew will tell you they outplayed them that day
16:41with some metrics to back that up
16:44they had the ball nearly 60% of the day
16:47and they atleashed 16 shots
16:49in what was a frustrating
16:51runoffing defeat
16:52Messi with the steal
16:53Messi parried away
16:54but it's in the back of the net
16:56Hagan got a piece of it
16:57but not enough
16:58it's a 2-0 game
17:12Lionel Messi to double the lead
17:14in the opening quarter hour
17:16and into Miami flying now on its home ground
17:20well what a start from into Miami
17:26you just look when this pass comes back to Hagan
17:29all of a sudden he's under a bit of pressure
17:31Kromasky does really well
17:32he makes him go onto his left foot
17:33he's not able to get the distance on it
17:35and the one person you do not want the ball to fall to
17:38is Messi
17:39because he just looks, takes one touch
17:41and says thank you very much
17:43Hagan is off his line
17:44he doesn't cover himself in glory once again
17:46but you just see the clearance here
17:48it's great play from Kromasky
17:50and then just the lob from Messi
17:52from a Columbus team that started really well
17:55they find themselves 2-0 down after 15 minutes
17:58Lionel Messi arrived in the summer of 2023
18:02that's his 30th regular season goal
18:05and with that he passes Gonzalo Higuain
18:08for the most regular season goals
18:10in what is granted the brief history of Inter Miami
18:14but man oh man it didn't take long
18:16that's his ninth of the year
18:19incredible
18:22Shambo free kick for Columbus
18:25which surprisingly finds itself down 2
18:33signal by Shambo
18:36curls towards the far post
18:38waiting on this Kromasky to head it away
18:40and taken by Austin
18:47Rubel Kaba
18:49to play back
18:55and Astadi will innocently see that out
18:59big developments early on here at Chase Stadium
19:02as we look at Max Ofston
19:04bracing for
19:05the big summer with the United States men's national team
19:08they have friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland
19:10and the gold cup to follow
19:12what role will he play
19:13what role will he play
19:22pass by Allen comes
19:23right back
19:26the young Miami defender
19:27and Suarez
19:29hauled down his play
19:31will be halted for a free kick
19:32I think when you look at the possession
19:34this is something that Miami
19:35aren't traditionally
19:36used to
19:37but they are at their best
19:38when they don't have to dominate the ball
19:40so far this season
19:41their four highest possessions
19:42they've lost two and drawn two
19:43conceded eleven
19:44their four lowest possessions
19:45they've won all four
19:46conceded just two
19:48and the way that Columbus play
19:49they will not change for anybody
19:50and that could actually suit Inter Miami's
19:52in terms of being able to play on the counter attack
19:54and not leaving too much space in behind
19:57Busquets
19:59and now Messi
20:00what a touch
20:01and the return from Wigan
20:03Kromoski
20:05wins the throw
20:08nothing is over
20:09until the crew says it's over
20:11down by two
20:12yes this appears daunting in the early stages
20:14but Wilfred Natsi's team does lead MLS in points one
20:18from losing positions
20:20seven two and seven on the year
20:25clubs only lost twice
20:27game we referenced in Cleveland
20:29and last weekend against Charlotte
20:40here's Marrera
20:50Jibrako
20:57Hagan
21:03with another ball
21:04nearly taken away by into Miami
21:06but settled by the crew instead
21:07Nat B plays back
21:09and now Rossi
21:13you can see this definitely
21:14a little bit of nerves
21:15from Hagan
21:16after that last pass back
21:17that he just inadvertently played to Messi
21:19play to Messi who put the ball into the back of the net on the far side Farsi
21:26with the crew trying to get back into this Ustadti off his line and neatly to
21:31the foot of Martinez
21:34Maxi Falcone for Inter Miami
21:39the turn to the 11 from Maxi Falcone much of a choice from Marciadano really
21:44with the side not as deep as he would prefer right now
22:00here's Wagan
22:03to play that back for Marrero taken back by Inter Miami Messi with Shambo all over him
22:21Messi tries to escape the pressure he's fouled instead what they're doing really
22:25well Inter Miami we know with Columbus they love to dominate at times through the
22:28middle yes they want to go wide but when Inter Miami are out of possession
22:32so go here and I and they that really really narrow to make it sort of four
22:36versus two at times in that central midfield area that works in Miami's
22:40favor Sigourney are taking off the ball Rossi has this for Columbus
22:46and After Energie said it came off the Rennie some good
22:49that was theinde B самый a good two in two
22:51goodimitr
22:52like he's had the glove that checks the way
22:54Sunde to negligence for all of them
22:55but in three there need to be an epic
22:57defense for the offensive factor
22:5712 season
22:58well Güven
22:59but finally it's a piece dentro really
23:00of the backality but after the Когда
23:01that it didn't come straight over
23:02Volcone Gold 9
23:03Stani
23:05SplatALK
23:07Nation
23:08Two in specific
23:09Ekana
23:11Island
23:11戀
23:12thirst
23:13And it spins away from Austin, fans like that gives to Lionel Messi, the Miami captain,
23:19across for Segovia, Messi again, perfectly played throw, now Allen works it across by
23:31the arm, outstretched of Hagen, and flag does go up on the near side anyway.
23:39The player spotlight is presented by Allstate, you are in good hands, when Cucho departed,
23:45one of the big questions, where would the goals come from, the answer largely, Diego Rossi
23:50this year.
23:51It's very very similar to when Zeller Ayant left, and then Cucho came into his own, I think
23:56he feels a responsibility more so now, Rossi, and whether he's playing, we know that that
24:01front three is very interchangeable at times, he'll be that false nine, but if Columbus are
24:04going to get themselves back into this game, he needs to be a huge part of it, he's been
24:08relatively quiet so far.
24:10A resume that does include a golden boot in MLS, granted that was just 14 goals in the
24:16COVID-shortened 2020 season, he's been good this year, Suarez has been good for a thousand
24:23games, Luis Suarez going for goal and sends it by the far post.
24:29They're getting caught out at the moment, Columbus, they're dominating the ball, Columbus, and
24:34what they're doing, they're losing the ball in dangerous areas and then into Miami, they're
24:37just going for it, you can just see here, it's brilliant from Messi, Hagan, like I say, he
24:43will not look back at that with much joy whatsoever, the fact if he was the one that passed the ball
24:50to Messi, but I go back to Kramaski as well, it was really good pressing for him to make
24:53sure that he had to open up the other way, and Messi was just delighted to receive the
24:58ball and he does what Messi does.
24:59This is impressive from Miami early, Danny, in the respect that they're reading the game
25:03very well against what is numerically the best passing team in MLS in Columbus.
25:08I just think that into Miami are a far better team when they're able to be compact, when
25:14they're able to be deep at times, they've got runners in, Allende and Segovia, how many
25:18times, Columbus have tried a couple of times to play the ball over into Miami's defense,
25:21which has been their weakness.
25:23Going long, flag stays down for Messi, Lionel Messi is in, Omar chips the goalkeeper a second
25:29straight 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.
25:56It'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
26:06Messi on, he's not in line with the rest of the back five, and it's a simple finish for
26:11Messi once again.
26:12And it's been a quite sensational first half from into Miami, whereas for Columbus, it's
26:19been the complete opposite.
26:20What a ball from Busquets, but it's too easy.
26:23It is far too easy, but I go back to the game plan from into Miami.
26:27They've been happy to sit back, happy to allow Columbus onto them, win the ball back, and
26:30then get the ball forward as soon as possible.
26:32They've not even given Columbus the opportunity to counter-press, which is what they are known
26:37for as well.
26:38That's why they've always played the high line.
26:40At the moment, into Miami winning the ball back, making that first pass, making sure the
26:43counter-press can't happen, and the next ball is going over the top, and they've taken full advantage of it.
26:48Lionel Messi has hit ten goals in just over a thousand minutes in MLS this season already.
26:54So that's a perfect example.
26:56So many times this season, we've seen balls played over the top, down the side, and that's
27:01left the back four of into Miami isolated.
27:04Now when Columbus are trying to play that longer ball, it's going through to a starry, and that's
27:08the starting lines defensively from into Miami.
27:10Suarez finds Allende.
27:13Tadio Allende back for Suarez.
27:15Look at Miami.
27:16Cook.
27:17Messi plays into the back.
27:18Suarez!
27:19That chance blocked away!
27:21Allende gave it a go, but cleared away by the crew.
27:25Gazdag will settle here for Columbus.
27:29This is Nagby, with the crew, trying to get this game under control.
27:46Look at this game and the way it's set out.
27:48Right from the start, it was all about one team trying to control the game in possession,
27:52Columbus, and one team trying to control the game out of possession in Inter Miami.
27:56And Inter Miami have done exceptionally well, apart from the first five minutes where Columbus
28:00had a few looks.
28:01Now 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
28:07and 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.
28:24Rubel Kaba again.
28:29Here's Shambo.
28:45Nagby back in his own area against the Miami side right now that's smelling blood in the water.
28:50Rossi, though, with a nice turn to get away from Kromoski initially.
28:54Gets here to Daniel Gazdog.
28:57Taken off his foot, defended by Segovian.
28:59And now Messi again.
29:01They're so compact defensively.
29:04Yes, they're staying in that 4-4-2, but they're moving up and down the pitch together.
29:08There's no gap between the defensively field or the attack.
29:13So it means that none of the players for Inter Miami are finding themselves isolated.
29:17What Machirano has been searching for for the longest time.
29:26This is a Miami team, 15 goals conceded in the last five matches they've played.
29:3125 goals allowed in their last nine coming into tonight.
29:35Chiberko.
29:43Called up to the Ukraine national team.
29:45They have friendlies coming up, including one against Canada in the coming days.
29:49Shambo tries to walk that across.
29:51Walked away.
29:54Wagan to make the play.
29:56Clearing out towards the middle of the park, but Nappy's waiting for it again.
30:03Here's Orfston.
30:04Robocaba.
30:15Robocaba.
30:24Here's Farsi.
30:26Kazda for Moreira.
30:31Three defenders to contend with.
30:32It's taken away, and they work it up top for Suarez.
30:37Played back here for Noah Allen.
30:43Inter-Miami blitz in the opening 28-plus minutes of the match.
30:50Messi with two.
30:51Allende with one.
30:52Three-nothing Inter-Miami.
30:56Here's Busquets.
30:58Messi again.
31:00With a touch of the 18.
31:01Messi!
31:02Fortunate for Columbus.
31:03They had the defender on the line, although the flag does go up on the near side anyway.
31:05Jeffrey Griesen.
31:06Jeffrey Griesen raises.
31:07Busquets is causing a huge problem.
31:08We're used to seeing him as a defensive midfielder.
31:13Columbus think that he's just going to sit.
31:14He's not sitting, but there's nobody picking him up, because Nagby is having to track a lot of the times.
31:19Either Messi or Suarez when he comes in a little bit deeper.
31:20So what you're finding is the back three for Columbus at the moment.
31:22They're marking one player.
31:23They're marking one player, or at times no players.
31:27on the near side anyway jeffrey greason raises busquets is causing a huge problem we're used to
31:33see him as seeing him as a defensive midfielder columbus think that he's just going to sit he's
31:37not sitting but there's nobody picking him up because nagby is having to track a lot of the
31:41times either messi or suarez when he comes in a little bit deeper so what you're finding is the
31:45back three for clubs at the moment they're marking one player or at times no players so one of the
31:50back three or two of the back they need to get more involved in terms 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 shambo
32:05to an open nagby
32:06to see mascherano just saying to his players no need to press
32:17don't press that's what columbus are waiting for they're waiting for that start and press to try and
32:32isolate but at the moment you can just see internally all the plays in front of them
32:37works so much better for them and all they say to columbus is go backwards and if you go sideways
32:42we're not going to get behind us and you're doing it real well i think our viewers are seeing all 10
32:45miami players in one singular camera shot here this is the best they've moved maybe this season
32:51yeah and and and the reason that is happening is because of the team because of the team that they're
32:56playing against so they're able to pick up these balls and then obviously they see the foul there but
33:00that'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 the player comparison
33:09is presented by celsius pure passion maximum energy with zero sugar we're keeping an eye on two old
33:15pros sergio busquets darlington nagby tonight it goes back to what i'm saying we're seeing busquets
33:19he's covered more ground than nagby not too much but that's because busquets is being the instigator
33:24he's realizing that he's got space to run into nagby he's just being concerned with messi and suarez
33:29one of them dropping off and what he needs to do he needs to be able to say to one of his
33:33center backs listen it's three versus two if 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 and that means that
33:42busquets is able to shine and go forward himself because he's made some beautiful passes so far and
33:47we know how good he is with his distribution from deep but this is a little bit higher up the pitch for
33:52busquets kazdar got a piece of kramovsky a moment ago it's just there's a sense of frustration because
33:58intermoney are doing really really well and it's it's all to do with the shape that they're playing
34:02with out of possession which then leads to to the transition working really well for them
34:07when they get the ball back
34:11leonel messi with two goals in this first half
34:14leonel messi for wegan
34:19played back crisply by busquets and now falcon across
34:25a warm night in south florida there's barely a breeze in this stadium it's been that way much of
34:33the day in the fort lauderdale area
34:35in the last three sixty as you covered with all that's happening on this match day 17 st louis city
34:44with its first win since march 15th earlier today new york city had to come from behind draw versus
34:51nashville and i think when when we talk about certain plays we talk about when we talk about future
34:56ramirez we've obviously left columbus now we talk about how much they affect the game on the ball sometimes
35:01we forget how much they affected the game off the ball and what's happening is columbus is still
35:05playing the same high line they go over the top for aliou as the flag stays down falcon retreating
35:11and breaks it up he will well the intention was to concede the corner but the flag did go up continue
35:18daniel so just going back to what i was talking about the back three for columbus is still playing
35:22a higher line as it always has to we know that wilfred nancy likes connection throughout the pitch
35:26but the pressing higher up the pitch isn't as good it isn't as collected because you've got new
35:33plays in the team that are still adjusting so what that means is the opposition plays they've probably
35:36got an extra three seconds on the ball which gives them that time to get the head up and then pick that
35:41pass we've seen on numerous occasions in the past few weeks teams getting in behind this columbus team
35:47who's scents going long in the direction of allende players on this miami side he's the one best equipped
35:55to stretch the field for the side saves this gives to messi back for david martinez
36:02noah allen for into miami
36:11we got
36:22this now highest scoring team in major league soccer into miami with 32 including the three
36:29they put past nico hagan here tonight the reasons we refer to columbus as a team that never feels out
36:36of the third year of the nancy era mls highest scoring team in that time they did come into play
36:43tonight ninth in the league in goals scored during the weekend anyway gazdag
36:51racing on to this fossy mo foxy continues on still has it at the top of the box trying to work it
36:59across for ross that broke it up
37:03that's way going to be made the play oh yeah day on the ball
37:12and 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 for
37:29Venezuela in the coming week and a half.
37:37We have nine players on the first team alone.
37:40With some support of the qualifier for international duty.
37:44Some affected by injuries, including the number one keeper, Patrick Schulte,
37:48Sean Zawadzki.
37:51We got Falcone.
38:08Now I'll ski for I am day.
38:11People who keep this ball in and he wins the throw for it to Miami.
38:17It's one of the things in this recent surge by into Miami that they've recaptured.
38:21Allende and Segovia who was so good early in the year and then they went away for a spell seemingly.
38:27They both had big contributions in the last eight days.
38:30It's the energy that they bring.
38:32It'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.
38:40When you see the pace and they've got you drop.
38:42That means that the running possession now Messi can go and drop.
38:45Just basically orchestrate the game.
38:48Messi again.
38:49Perfectly weighted pass to the foot of Allende.
38:58The return from Weygat.
39:00Here's Busquets in traffic.
39:02They get it to Messi again.
39:04Played to Segovia.
39:05Trying to thread the needle for Lionel Messi but broken up.
39:10Played back by Busquets.
39:16The crew now doing some chasing with Allende on the ball.
39:32Pagan boots it high.
39:34Headed away by Busquets.
39:37And here's Martinez.
39:43Messi.
39:48Taken back by the crew.
39:49Here comes Diego Rossi the other way.
39:53Rossi trying to blow past Weygat who's been pretty strong in this first half.
39:57It's a foul against Inter Miami here though.
40:01This exclusive net cam replay is brought to you by T-Mobile.
40:05It's just genius from Messi.
40:07Hagan just gets caught out once again.
40:10He's in no man's land.
40:11And then Messi does what Messi does best.
40:13Wonderful finish.
40:14Makes it look so easy as well.
40:18Daniel Gazdag for Columbus.
40:20Rossi with a good ball.
40:30Gazdag at the edge of the 18.
40:32Daniel Gazdag back for Nagbe.
40:35Flag is up on the crew.
40:39Much to the dismay.
40:42Of Daniel Gazdag.
40:45He'll return to NLS action into Miami will on June 28th.
40:51But that game against Atlanta United.
40:54Put a bit of an Escarus next to that.
40:56Because if Inter Miami gets out of the group in the Club World Cup.
40:59That game would most certainly have to be postponed.
41:03Tough assignment for Inter Miami.
41:05We've talked about that.
41:07They open June 14th.
41:09Al Ali.
41:10The Egyptian club will be the first appointment.
41:12And then Porto.
41:14From Portugal.
41:15Palmeiras of Brazil.
41:17After that.
41:18But they've got going for them though.
41:19Two of the three games will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in nearby Miami.
41:23I think what we can say is when we look at the last three games.
41:28The form that they've been in if we count this one as well.
41:31They're going in in good form at the moment.
41:33Obviously we know of Columbus what they're capable of.
41:35We know that Miami haven't been conceding.
41:37A lot of goals.
41:39Offensively very very solid in this first half so far.
41:43As Falcone plays back to his starting.
41:47City players will have duties in between this game and the start of that tournament.
41:52That includes Messi.
41:53He has.
41:54Accepted.
41:55The fall to Argentina.
41:56There was some discussion about that.
41:58With the.
41:59Rating World Champions already having qualified.
42:01For the 2026 World Cup.
42:03But he will go.
42:04Here comes Inter Miami.
42:05They've been going most of the night.
42:07Brought down by Segovia.
42:08In the box.
42:09We will come back to defend.
42:11The flag is up.
42:13It's just a high for.
42:15Segovia.
42:16What they're doing.
42:17You know you look at Segovia and Allende.
42:20They're sort of becoming number tens when they're in possession.
42:23And.
42:24Columbus don't have an answer at the moment.
42:26And I go back to.
42:27Obviously.
42:28Saying what I was saying about.
42:29About the back three.
42:30To see the high for here.
42:31Rival Carver.
42:32But one of the back three.
42:34They don't have anybody to mark.
42:37They don't have anybody to mark at all.
42:39So they're getting outnumbered in midfield.
42:41So one of the back three.
42:42Needs to go and step in.
42:43Because at the moment.
42:44Nagli's not even able to have an effect on the game.
42:46Because he's been outnumbered.
42:47He has long been a barometer of how good.
42:54This team can be on a given night.
42:57The number of touches.
42:58The number of.
42:59Ways he impacts a game defensively.
43:04Four time analyst cup champion Darlington Nagby.
43:09And it's a sign of respect for him.
43:11Because what you're finding is.
43:12Is when Columbus are in possession.
43:18Suarez at times is just dropping on Nagby.
43:20To make sure he can't get on the ball.
43:21Because we know.
43:22The more that Nagby sees with the ball.
43:23The better that it is for Columbus.
43:25Darlington Nagby.
43:26Links with Rossi.
43:29Here comes the Columbus crew.
43:31Diego Rossi.
43:32Lays this ahead.
43:33Has Alio.
43:34Alio shoots.
43:35No.
43:39Maybe the best chance of the night.
43:41For the Columbus crew.
43:45Falcone isn't happy.
43:46He believes that it's.
43:47It's offside when the ball's played.
43:49You can see that.
43:51I think he is.
43:52Looks like Allen's just playing him on.
43:53And the referee's just going up to Falcone now.
43:55Because it's a couple of times.
43:56He's looked at the assistant referee.
43:58And said that he should be.
43:59Offside.
44:00As we've seen from that replay.
44:01He's in an onside position.
44:03He has to make so much more of that opportunity.
44:06The Nigerian.
44:07Ibrahim Aliou.
44:09This is his seventh game in a crew shirt.
44:11He did open his Columbus account.
44:13Last week against Charlotte.
44:19Wilfred Nancy going right back to him.
44:21In the starting eleven tonight.
44:22After the draw.
44:23Midweek against Nashville.
44:25Here.
44:26The crew down three.
44:27Late stages of the first half.
44:29Falcone.
44:30Brought down by Nagby.
44:32Nagby.
44:33Fouled by Martinez.
44:34And a dangerous free kick opportunity now.
44:38For the crew.
44:39That's where Nagby wants to be.
44:40He wants to be in those positions.
44:42Where he can pick up the second balls.
44:43Get hold of the ball.
44:44But at times he's had to go too deep.
44:46Through no fault of his own.
44:47And that's where.
44:48Back three.
44:49They have to have an understanding.
44:50That.
44:51At times they need Nagby a little bit higher.
44:53So he can go and pick up.
44:54Those balls.
44:55Which have been won too often.
44:56By Inter Miami.
44:57In this first half.
45:09Here's Ustadi.
45:10To set the wall.
45:11For Inter Miami.
45:13Rossi a candidate.
45:15Shambo a candidate.
45:16On the direct free kick.
45:1843 minutes gone by.
45:20The crew looking for a path back into this game.
45:31Rossi is the Columbus leader.
45:33With eight goals on the season.
45:35To referee Mendoza.
45:36He's going to back up the wall.
45:37A few inches here.
45:38And now we're ready.
45:39It's all.
45:40Diego Rossi.
45:41Wall does it's job.
45:42Shambo up to challenge.
45:45Was mishit on the clearance.
45:46But Allen makes no mistake.
45:47And gets it away.
45:48These are the team benches built by the Home Depot for Inter Miami.
45:57Aviles is available.
45:58He left midweek due to injury as well.
45:59We could see Leo Alfonso with a bench that's not as deep as he's in.
46:02They are the team benches built by the Home Depot for into Miami obvious is available. He left midweek due to injury as well. We could see Leo Alfonso with a bench. This is not as deep as we usually see it for into Miami and at the disposal of Wilfred Nazi with his team down three. Some of the offensive options include Jason Russell Rowe and A.Z. Jackson.
46:30It's a big mountain to climb now late in this first half. I'm surprised to see a couple of changes from Wilfred Nazi at half time just to check some energy because there's just been no answer. Columbus so far into Miami now doing what they want to do and so much of it is to do with the movement off the ball. Busquets with a release. Allende racing for it. Chiberko to snuff that out but more pressure by Kromoski to win.
47:00Back they play it into the foot. Big shot by Suarez and there's Hagan who got a hand out to deny him. It's out for a corner.
47:08Well we've spoken about a number of plays for into Miami so far in this first half but Kromoski he's been up there with the best of him. His pressing has been absolutely vital.
47:17See the ball. See the ball in there to Allende. And then Suarez. I think it's not the greatest of first half but that's a really good save to stop Suarez from getting on the score sheet himself.
47:26The corner is played short by into Miami. This is Segovia. Works it back for Allen.
47:43Kromoski harassed by Rossi.
47:46Kromoski. And Messi. Able to control with two defenders. Still Lionel Messi.
47:58Added time is presented by Audi as the corner was being taken. Fourth official has informed us of three minutes.
48:05Here's Messi again.
48:14Trying to fend off Magby. He has fouled free kick.
48:19He's just incredible. You just look at him and how his tight ball control is unbelievable.
48:25His strength. His low center of gravity. He just never fails to amaze. He just makes everything look so easy.