| Inter Miami vs Columbus | |
| MATCH | La Liga |
| DATE | 28 - 09 - 2026 |
| TIME | 04.30 AM IST |
| STADIUM | Gro Field |
Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami: Match Preview
Columbus Crew will be looking to strengthen their push for a playoff place when they host Inter Miami in another important MLS fixture.
Making the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season is becoming increasingly difficult for Columbus, who currently sit seven points below the postseason line with four teams ahead of them. Laurent Courtois will be hoping his side can improve their form quickly as the regular season enters its decisive stages.
A victory would give Columbus back-to-back domestic wins for the first time this campaign, while also representing just their third MLS victory since August.
The Crew have struggled for consistency at home recently, losing three of their last four league matches in Columbus. They have scored one goal or fewer in each of those defeats.
Columbus have also dropped points from winning positions on several occasions in 2026. They have failed to win seven regular-season matches after scoring first, surrendering 19 points in those games.
However, a win or draw in this fixture would give Columbus an unbeaten record against Inter Miami across both regular-season meetings for the first time in their history.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, have also experienced a difficult spell in MLS. The Herons were previously challenging near the top of the Eastern Conference but have seen their position weaken in recent weeks.
Miami are currently fighting for home-field advantage in the opening playoff round, with only three points separating them from fourth-placed Charlotte FC.
The Herons enter the match on a four-game winless league run, drawing their last four matches. In three of those games, Miami surrendered a late second-half advantage.
Despite their recent results, Inter Miami can extend their unbeaten MLS run to six matches. They can also secure a ninth away league victory of the season, surpassing their total of eight away wins from the 2025 campaign.
Miami have enjoyed recent success against Columbus, winning three of their last four meetings in Columbus. They also recorded a 1-0 victory in this fixture last season.
Columbus Crew MLS Form
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Columbus Crew Form – All Competitions
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Inter Miami MLS Form
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Inter Miami Form – All Competitions
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Team News
Columbus will be without Wessam Abou Ali, who continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.
The Crew will also be missing several players who are away on international duty, including Chase Adams, Nicholas Hagen, Steven Moreira, Cole Mrowka and Gonzalo Tapia.
Mohamed Farsi and Brais Méndez were both on the scoresheet in Columbus' recent victory over Montreal, while goalkeeper Patrick Schulte made two saves to secure a clean sheet.
Inter Miami have injury and suspension concerns of their own. Tadeo Allende is dealing with a knee injury, while Israel Boatwright remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury. Yannick Bright is unavailable because of a yellow-card suspension.
Lionel Messi is also expected to be involved with Argentina during the current international window. Several other Miami players have been called up by their respective national teams, including Alexander Shaw, Dayne St. Clair, Daniel Pinter, Loven’s Delinois, Matias Galarza, Rodrigo De Paul, Fricio Caicedo and German Berterame.
Messi and Luis Suárez both scored in Miami's latest match. Messi continues to lead MLS in both goals and assists, with 20 goals and 13 assists according to the supplied match data.
Key Players
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
Messi remains one of Miami's main attacking threats and has continued to produce goals and assists throughout the MLS campaign. His creativity and finishing will be important if the Herons are to end their recent run of draws.
Patrick Schulte – Columbus Crew
Schulte will have an important role against Miami's attacking players. After keeping a clean sheet against Montreal, the Columbus goalkeeper will be aiming for another strong performance.
Match Outlook
Both teams enter the fixture looking to improve their recent league results. Columbus need points in their pursuit of the playoff places, while Inter Miami will be looking to turn their run of consecutive draws into victories as the regular season approaches its final stages.
The previous meetings between the sides suggest that Columbus will have a difficult challenge, particularly with Miami having won three of their last four visits to the Crew.