Inter Miami Shorthanded Against Columbus Crew

Tuesday night’s match promises to be a thriller as Columbus Crew and Inter Miami CF clash in the Leagues Cup Round of 16. The excitement is through the roof—and for good reason. On one side, you’ve got Columbus Crew, a true powerhouse on the field, showing a level of cohesion and offensive firepower that’s hard to match. On the other, there’s Inter Miami, a team that’s been punching above its weight, playing brave soccer despite the odds. But let’s be real—without Messi and with other crucial players sidelined, Inter Miami’s going to need a whole lot more than luck to advance in this tournament.

Let’s start with Columbus Crew. These guys don’t mess around. After cruising through the group stage, the Crew put on a clinic in the last round, thrashing Sporting Kansas City 4-0. The star of the show? Diego Rossi, who found the back of the net twice and played a key role in securing their spot in the Round of 16. But it wasn’t just him shining out there. The additions of DeJuan Jones and Dylan Chambost have injected new energy into the squad, making it clear that Columbus Crew is hungry for another title. They’re the team to beat, and everything we’ve seen so far only reinforces that notion. Wilfried Nancy’s squad has it all: a relentless attack, a rock-solid defense, and ball control that leaves their opponents spinning. On paper, they’re already the favorites. On the pitch, too.

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Now, don’t go thinking Inter Miami is just gonna throw in the towel. Sure, they’re in a tough spot, with Lionel Messi out due to an ankle injury and defender David Martínez suspended after a red card in the last match. But this team, led by Jordi Alba, still has plenty of fight left in them. The last round against Toronto FC was a rollercoaster, with Inter Miami pulling off a breathtaking 4-3 win. Alba was the standout, racking up four assists and proving he’s still got a lot of soccer left in him. Matías Rojas chipped in with two stunning goals, while Luis Suárez and Diego Gómez added their contributions. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t an easy victory. The team struggled, especially after Martínez’s ejection. Coach Gerardo Martino had to shuffle his lineup, with Sergio Busquets dropping back to help out in defense. And it’s this lack of stability that could spell trouble against a Columbus Crew that just doesn’t let up.

The big question here is: how far can Inter Miami go without Messi? No doubt, the Argentine is the heart and soul of this team. Since his arrival, he’s transformed Inter Miami, bringing a new identity and confidence that was previously missing. But soccer is a team sport, and without Messi, the other players will need to step up big time. It’s that old cliché, but one that never loses its relevance: great challenges bring out great men. And that’s exactly what we’ll see on Tuesday night. Can Inter Miami handle the pressure and prove they’re more than just a one-man show?

On the flip side, Messi’s absence might just be an opportunity for Inter Miami. That’s right. When a team loses its star player, it’s forced to reinvent itself, to find new ways to play and new leaders within the squad. And who knows? Maybe this challenge will bring the team closer together and awaken the best in players who’ve been overshadowed by the Argentine so far.

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew is probably licking their chops at the thought of facing an Inter Miami without its biggest star. But beware—underestimating the opponent could be a fatal mistake. Inter Miami has already shown they can rise above adversity, and walking onto the field thinking victory is guaranteed could backfire on the Crew.