| Inter Miami vs Columbus | |
| MATCH | MLS |
| DATE | 02 - 08 - 2026 |
| TIME | 05.00 AM IST |
| STADIUM | Nu Stadium |
Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew Match Preview
Inter Miami will look to extend their remarkable winning streak when they welcome Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, aiming for a seventh consecutive league victory despite the continued absence of Lionel Messi.
The defending MLS Cup champions edged CF Montreal 1-0 last weekend to record their sixth straight regular-season win, the longest winning run in club history. Veteran striker Luis Suarez continued his outstanding form by scoring the decisive goal, taking his tally to six goals in his last three MLS appearances.
Another major positive for Guillermo Hoyos was the debut of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who delivered an impressive performance after joining the club this summer. Despite a lengthy injury list and several players still unavailable following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Inter Miami remain second in the Eastern Conference standings.
Messi has returned to training after Argentina's World Cup campaign but is not expected to feature this weekend. Rodrigo De Paul will also remain unavailable, with Hoyos determined not to rush either player back before the upcoming Leagues Cup fixtures.
Inter Miami also boast an excellent recent record against Columbus Crew, winning six of the last seven regular-season meetings between the two clubs.
Columbus Crew Seeking More Consistency
Columbus Crew travel to Florida with renewed confidence after defeating FC Cincinnati 2-1 in their latest MLS outing.
Following a difficult start to the 2026 campaign, interim head coach Laurent Courtois has helped stabilize the team, leading the Crew to victories in two of their last three league matches. The result lifted Columbus into 11th place in the Eastern Conference as they continue their push toward the playoff positions.
The Crew have struggled to recapture the form that saw them win the 2023 MLS Cup and reach the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup final, but recent performances suggest signs of improvement.
Spanish midfielder Brais Mendez has joined the club as a Designated Player but is unlikely to make his debut in Miami as he continues building match fitness. His first appearance could instead come during next week's Leagues Cup campaign.
Match Outlook
Inter Miami continue to impress despite missing several key players, with Luis Suarez producing vintage performances and Casemiro adding quality to midfield. Columbus Crew have shown signs of improvement under Laurent Courtois but face one of the league's toughest away assignments against the in-form Herons.
Even without Lionel Messi, Miami's attacking quality and recent dominance over Columbus make them slight favourites to continue their outstanding winning streak.
Prediction: Inter Miami 2-1 Columbus Crew.
