CLEVELAND (WCMH) — In a matchup that featured the best team in the Eastern Conference against arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, the Columbus Crew fell to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 1-0 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
Miami scored the lone goal of the first half when Benjamin Cremaschi connected on a diving header off the cross by Marcelo Weigandt in the 30th minute.
Columbus had its share of chances throughout the game, especially in the second half. Overall, the Crew outshot Miami 16-6.
“We had our clear chances, obviously – tap in – but we didn’t finish it. Also, the first half, we had a lot of chances,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said. “I have to watch the game to see if this is technique, timing or decision making.”
The highly-anticipated showdown in Cleveland had been months in the making but was heightened when the Crew and Miami became the only two teams left in Major League Soccer that were unbeaten.
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard) 
Columbus Crew forward Max Arftsen takes a shot during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard) 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball whilst under pressure from Daniel Gazdag #8 of Columbus Crew during the MLS match between Columbus Crew and Inter Miami CF at Huntington Bank Field on April 19, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
The announced attendance of 60,614 is the highest for a designated Crew home match and the most at Huntington Bank Field for a non-NFL game. Seeing Messi play in person was a huge draw for much of the crowd with many in the stands wearing his jersey.
Midfielder Sean Zawadzki said the Crew did its best to limit the star forward.
“Once he turns, starts running at you, you never know what he’s going to pull off. So in the game, it’s trying to limit those opportunities for him to turn it and run at the back line to pick those passes that he’s so great at doing, and I thought we did well with that,” Zawadzki said. “You know, he had some moments here and there to do that, but I thought we limited his ability to pick those passes.”
Despite the game taking place two hours north of Lower.com Field, many Crew traditions remained in place, albeit with Cleveland touches. Ahead of their NBA playoff opener against the Miami Heat on Sunday, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson had the honor of being the match igniter during pregame festivities. Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy served as the Dawg Pound captain.
The Crew returns to Columbus next Saturday to host San Jose.
