Columbus Crew Stuns Inter Miami with Victory in Leagues Cup

Inter Miami Falls to Columbus Crew in Leagues Cup Clash

Inter Miami CF suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Leagues Cup as they squandered a 2 - 0 lead in the second half against the Columbus Crew . The reigning MLS Cup champions mounted an impressive comeback to secure a 3 - 2 victory and advance to the quarterfinals . Christian Ramrez and Diego Rossi were instrumental in the Crew 's triumph , overturning the deficit created by Miami 's Matas Rojas and Diego Gmez.

Miami 's star player , Lionel Messi , was notably absent from the match due to an ankle injury sustained during Argentina 's Copa Amrica triumph last month . Despite Messi 's absence , Miami started the game strongly with Rojas and Gmez finding the back of the net to establish a comfortable lead . However , the Crew , known for their resilience under coach Wilfried Nancy , staged a remarkable comeback with goals from Rossi and Ramrez to secure the win.

Crew to Face New York City FC in Quarterfinals

Following their victory over Inter Miami , the Columbus Crew are set to face New York City FC in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup . Despite Miami 's defeat , coach Gerardo Martino expressed satisfaction with his team 's performance against the reigning champions . Martino emphasized the importance of continuing to compete for titles in the local league , highlighting the resilience and determination of the players.

This matchup marks the second time this year that the Crew have faced Inter Miami without Lionel Messi , underscoring the star forward 's absence due to injury . Messi has been sidelined since the Copa Amrica final , missing several crucial games for Miami . Although Miami has coped well in Messi 's absence , registering victories in the tournament , the impact of his absence was evident in the Leagues Cup clash against the Crew.

The absence of Messi and striker Luis Suarez , who also missed the match due to injury , posed a challenge for Miami in their quest for victory . Suarez has since returned to action for Miami , contributing to the team 's performance in the Leagues Cup . Despite the adversity faced by Miami , the team remains determined to compete at the highest level and continue their pursuit of success in MLS play.

In conclusion , the Columbus Crew 's triumph over Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup showcases the competitive nature of MLS and the resilience of teams in the face of adversity . Both teams have displayed a commendable level of performance , setting the stage for an exciting quarterfinal matchup and underscoring the unpredictable nature of soccer competitions.