Inter Miami continue to regain momentum with another dominant win, this time over Columbus Crew
In a matchup billed as a clash between two of the Eastern Conference's best, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami made it a one-sided affair, cruising to a 5-1 win over the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium Saturday night.
Messi assisted on the opening goal and scored a brace to lead the way for , while Tadeo Allende, Luis Suarez and Fafa Picault all added to the misery for Wilfried Nancy's fifth-placed Crew. Cesar Ruvalcaba scored one for the visitors.
Inter Miami started their onslaught early thanks to U.S. international Benjamin Cremaschi. The 20-year-old triggered a press that would find Messi, who threaded the needle to Allende for the 13th-minute opener. Then Messi would get his own scoring going just two minutes later.
Nicholas Hagen, filling in for an injured Patrick Schulte at goal, was pressured into a poor pass into the Argentine's feet and he lobbed a ball that the keeper let slip through his hands. The air was deflated from Columbus and Miami ran riot. Messi added another goal, this time on an incredible chip finish. Suarez and Picualt would add the fourth and fifth goals in the second half.
Don't look now, but Miami has scored nine goals and conceded three in its last two games.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium.
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Oscar Ustari (6/10):
Didn't have much to do as The Herons were effective in largely keeping the Crew out of the penalty area. The veteran keeper was subbed off at half time, which speculated to be an injury.
Noah Allen (6/10):
Solid while filling in for the injured Jordi Alba, but not spectacular. Miami clearly missed the attacking presence the veteran Spaniard provides, but Allen made two much-needed clearances in the match.
Héctor Martínez (6/10):
With Allen being shifted to the flank, Martinez got a rare start and was decent. Played an effective role in slowing down Columbus in the first half but got an unnecessary yellow card in the 60th minute.
Maximiliano Falcón (6/10):
Still hasn't found the form he had at the start of the season, and was arguably the weak link of the backline. Was a steady foot on offense, connecting on more than 96 percent of his passes.
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):
A quiet, effective night for the fullback, which Inter Miami fans will take considering his mistake-prone play of late.
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Telasco Segovia (6/10):
Was largely quiet, but showed strong intelligence to find Suarez as opposed to forcing a shot and assisted the Uruguayan on Miami's fourth goal. Subbed off in a move to defend the home side's advantage, as Javier Mascherano brought on defender Ian Fray in his spot.
Sergio Busquets (8/10):
One of his better displays of the season, neat and tidy as usual, and put the ball on the plate for Messi – who delivered one of his best finishes of the campaign as a result, with a pinpoint chip.
Benjamin Cremaschi (7/10):
Started centrally, which is where he belongs, and he delivered. Effective with pressing, he helped create the opening goal by winning the ball and feeding Messi, who found Allende. Cremaschi is one of the few players on The Herons who has pace, and he played both sides of the ball well.
Tadeo Allende (8/10):
Continues to be arguably Miami's second-best player this season. Was clinical on Messi's assist. Completed three dribbles, connected on a key pass, and was even strong in the air.
Attack
Luis Suárez (8/10):
The 38-year-old is back to his best after a slow start to the season, scoring his third goal in his last two matches – he's now has five goals and seven assists in 14 matches.
Lionel Messi (10/10):
The Argentine was back to his dominant self against a well-coached team in the Crew. Got a bit lucky with his first goal, as the visitors capitulated on defense and Columbus' No. 2 keeper couldn't do anything with a shot that should've been a straightforward save. Still, he was brilliant in his assist and his other strike.
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Rocco Ríos Novo(5/10):
Came in as a surprise second-half sub, was largely solid, aside from Ruvalcaba's goal – which the No. 2 keeper could've kept out.
Ian Fray (6/10):
Decent showing in limited minutes.
Fafa Picault (7/10):
Only played 11 minutes, bit scored a goal. Talk about instant impact.
Ryan Sailor (NA):
Played one minute in a fresh-legs substitution.
Javier Mascherano (8/10):
He has gotten his share of just blame for Miami's struggles, but Saturday, this was a well-oiled machine, and the Crew couldn't respond.
