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Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Messi, Suarez start for Inter Miami vs. Columbus, Mascherano tweaks lineup
Challenged with making up for an injury-plagued roster, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano tweaked his starting lineup Saturday for the home game against the Columbus Crew. The team was missing injured defenders Jordi Alba and Gonzalo Lujan, as well as defensive midfielder Yannick Bright, who is also out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Tomas Aviles sprained his ankle in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Montreal, but was on the bench on Saturday, available if needed. Mascherano replaced Ian Fray with the more defensive-minded Marcelo Weigandt at right back and started Benja Cremaschi over Fede Redondo in midfield. The Miami Starting XI included: Oscar Ustari, Weigandt, Maxi Falcon, David Martinez, Noah Allen, Cremaschi, Telasco Segovia, Sergio Busquets, Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Messi and Suarez scored two goals each in the win over Montreal. Available on the bench are Rocco Rios Novo, Fray, Aviles, Ryan Sailor, Redondo, Fafa Picault, Leo Afonso and Allen Obando. Miami's defense has been shaky of late, giving up 15 goals over the past five games. Miami has just two wins over the past nine games, sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and would leapfrog fourth-place Columbus with a win. Like Miami, the Crew is in a bit of a slump, heading into this game on a five-game winless streak with four ties and a loss. Columbus is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 28 points. Inter Miami is in sixth place with 26 points and has a game in hand on the top nine teams in the conference. 'We want to play a good game Saturday, reinforce what we did against Montreal and improve in the areas we need to improve,' Mascherano said. 'We know we are facing, in my opinion, the best team in MLS, without a doubt. They have a coach who has a very clear style and does it very well. It is important for us to neutralize them and not let them play their game and control the game and win it.' Miami beat Columbus 1-0 on the road April 10 on a goal by Cremaschi. But it could be tougher this time with so many players injured. 'Clearly, we have a very long list of injuries,' Mascherano said Friday. 'I would love to have a crystal ball to know when they'll be back. For sure they cannot play this weekend. Then we have two weeks, and, although I am not a doctor, we think a few of them can recover by then. And then, we hope the players who are leaving for national team duty come back healthy, as well.' The team is off for FIFA break after Saturday's game and returns to action June 14 for the opening match of the Club World Cup against Egyptian team Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi was called up by Argentina for World Cup qualifiers against Chile June 5 and Colombia June 10. Segovia was called up by Venezuela for World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia June 6 and Uruguay June 10. Haiti invited Fafa Picault for World Cup qualifiers against Aruba June 7 and Curacao June 10. Cremaschi will be with the U.S. Under-20 national team in Egypt for a camp and friendlies against Colombia June 7 and Egypt June 10.
Miami Herald
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Inter Miami scores lone goal to beat Columbus Crew in a battle of unbeatens before 60,614
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's unbeaten start to the season was put to the test vs. another undefeated foe, and the South Florida side came out on top thanks to some resolute defending, good fortune and an unlikely hero. Benjamin Cremaschi scored at the 30-minute via a fortunate deflection, and that was enough for Inter Miami to defeat the host Columbus Crew, 1-0, in the battle of unbeaten teams at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon. Cremaschi's winner — which came off his left shoulder on a diving header attempt following a cross from Marcelo 'Chelo' Weigandt. The clean-sheet victory pushed coach Javier Mascherano and Inter Miami ahead of the Crew and into first place in the Eastern Conference with 18 points via a 5-3-0 record. 'We played one of the best teams in the league, and we had to be very good defensively to neutralize them' Mascherano said. 'They are a team that attacks very well. ... We got better as the game went on.' Playing in front of an announced crowd of 60,614 at an alternate venue in Cleveland, Cremaschi delivered the game-winner with his left shoulder in the 30th minute. Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez hit a cross-field pass down the right side to Weigandt, who whipped in an immediate cross that a diving Cremaschi deflected in at the back post with his left shoulder. Cremaschi's shot was one of only two on target from Inter Miami in the tactical affair, which saw the Crew finish with just three attempts on target. 'It is true we did not have many shots on goal, but we did have approximations, especially in the first half, that we perhaps did not finish in the best way,' Mascherano said. 'They also did not have many chances. They had one or two in the first half because of the amount of possession they had in comparison to us. '... Clearly, we need to keep working on our shortcomings, especially in the final third because they could have cost us the victory. That is the reality.' Mascherano rotated his starting lineup lightly, resting centerback Maximiliano 'Peluca' Falcon while starting Gonzalo Lujan in his place. Weigandt got the start at right back over Lujan and Ian Fray, and Cremaschi started out wide in favor of Telasco Segovia. The match began in a very tactical manner, with both sides not creating many scoring opportunities. The Crew controlled possession, but Inter Miami looked more dangerous in transition. The first real scoring opportunity came in the 25th minute. Recently acquired Crew attacker Daniel Gazdag slipped in behind Inter Miami's back line, but his awkward effort floated over the crossbar. The Crew dissected Inter Miami again with some intricate passing four minutes later, though another good look was wasted by Maximilian Arfsten's lobbed attempt. 'In these types of games against an opponent that attacks the way Columbus does and moves the ball as well as they do, it is very important that they do not score on you,' Mascherano said. 'It is very important that you stay compact and give that sensation of defensive security for a long portion of the game.' Cremaschi's goal followed, and Messi tried to double the lead in the 42nd minute by taking on a crowd and firing a shot that was easily deflected out for a corner kick. Messi attempted to make it 2-0 again in the only minute of first-half stoppage time, hitting a stinging shot that soared wide of the left post. An aggressive Crew tried to tie the score in the second half, but Inter Miami's dogged and determined defending limited the clear-cut opportunities despite Columbus' 59% possession. Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was sure-handed, making the three routines saves. 'Chalk it up to the commitment of the players to defend in the best way and to defend in an organized block and to take on that responsibility,' Mascherano said. 'In the end, a coach can transmit an idea to his players, but the ones that carry out the plan are the players. That the defense gave that sense of security today is all due to the players. 'This is due to their commitment when it comes to defending. Obviously, we need to keep improving, but I think this is the right path.' Inter Miami will quickly switch gears, as the first leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals series vs. the Vancouver Whitecaps awaits at BC Place in Canada on Thursday. The decisive match of that tournament is set for April 30 at Chase Stadium.
CBS News
20-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Cremaschi lifts Inter Miami to 1-0 win over Columbus Crew before record 60,614 fans in Cleveland
Benjamin Cremaschi scored on a diving header in the 30th minute and Inter Miami beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 on Saturday. The matchup between the lone remaining undefeated teams in Major League Soccer drew 60,614 fans to Huntington Bank Field, a single-game record for a Crew home match and the largest non-NFL event in stadium history. The match was moved from Columbus to the home of the NFL's Cleveland Browns due to the popularity of Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi. It is the second time this season and ninth since Messi joined MLS in 2023 that Inter Miami has had a road crowd of at least 60,000. "He's the greatest player to play the sport. That's why he attracts so many people to watch him," Cremaschi said. "We're playing away but sometimes we feel at home. I think everything goes away in the moment and we focus on our goal." Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, center Tristan Thompson and Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy were among the crowd. Inter Miami improved to 5-0-3 while Columbus dropped to 5-1-3. Oscar Ustari made three diving saves in the second half to keep the shutout intact. Miami took the lead in the 30th minute when midfielder Marcelo Weigandt sent a crossing pass into the center of the box. Columbus defender Malte Amundsen was step for step with Cremaschi, but the 20-year-old midfielder got to the ball in time and put it past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte for his first goal of the season. Cremaschi scored in front of Cleveland's Dawg Pound section, which was filled with Crew supporters. "It was the only way to get to the ball," Cremaschi said of diving for the header. The goal was also the first in 277 minutes scored by a Miami player other than Messi. Messi had a chance to make it 2-0 during stoppage time in the first half, but was just to the left of the net with a blast from the top of the box. "It was loud, when you play at home it is your natural fans. I like that we pushed and we reversed the crowd. It was a good experience," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said.
Miami Herald
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Messi, Inter Miami beat Universitario in PKs after scoreless tie as 80,000 watch in Peru
Lionel Messi received a hero's welcome from 80,000 fans at sold-out Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday night, as Inter Miami won its preseason match against Universitario in a penalty kick shootout. The game remained scoreless after regulation and went directly to PKs. All five Inter Miami players made their shots, starting with Julian Gressel, followed by 17-year-old Santi Morales, Little Havana native David Ruiz, Key Biscayne native Benja Cremaschi, and then Yannick Bright converted the fifth to seal the victory. 'I was so happy to be here, playing my first match of the preseason,' said Cremaschi, who missed the preseason opener in Las Vegas because he was with the U.S. national team. 'The atmosphere was amazing. I'm happy I could come in and contribute and we're happy with the win. The people of Peru were all over the place, in the hotel, in the stadium. We know the people that Leo moves and it's incredible every single day we live it.' Cremaschi entered the game at the 65-minute mark, replacing Argentine attacker Tadeo Allende, who made his Inter Miami debut after being signed on loan from Spanish club Celta Vigo. The reception for Messi was quite different from the one he received from a large segment of Mexican fans who were rooting for Club America against Inter Miami in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Those fans taunted the Argentine star, prompting him to make a '3-0' gesture with his hands when he scored, comparing the number of World Cup titles won by the two countries. Messi played 73 minutes against Universitario before being replaced by Robert Taylor. Luis Suarez also came out in the 73rd minute, replaced by Gressel and Sergio Busquets went out as Ruiz went in. Jordi Alba went to the bench at the 80-minute mark, replaced by Ian Fray. Morales went in for Fafa Picault in the 80th minute, Ryan Sailor went in for Toto Aviles, and Bright for Fede Redondo. Inter Miami has won both of its preseason games under new coach Javier Mascherano, both in penalty kicks. The Americas Preseason Tour continues Sunday with a 5 p.m. game against San Miguelito in Panama City and then heads to Honduras for a Feb. 8 game against Olimpia. Both games will be streamed on
