Inter Miami give Columbus Crew a trouncing

Inter Miami 5 – 1 Columbus Crew

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Inter Miami scored five as they outsmarted a Columbus Crew side that couldn’t contain their free-flowing football and deadly attacking front line.

More than twenty thousand fans were at Chase Stadium to see if Inter Miami, led by captain Lionel Messi, could continue their upturn in form, and they were far from disappointed as the home side scored three goals inside half an hour.

But it was the away side that came out firing from the first whistle as they tried to upset Miami’s rhythm and grab an early lead to get themselves on the front foot.

Miami started with Max Falcon and David Martinez as the defensive pairing, and it’s a combination that looks solid, although I’m not sure it’s the best option. Falcon was beaten in the air for the goal, and they each picked up a yellow card.

Both are strong defenders and can step forward to add something to the attack when needed, but you feel that Miami’s best back four lineup is still to be decided.

Injuries and suspensions have forced Mascherano to try a number of defensive options, and maybe he has no first-choice back four in his mind, but for the central positions, these two will certainly be in the conversation.

Miami was happy to concede possession and let Columbus play the ball around as they tried to unlock Miami’s defensive wall. But all too frequently, a wayward pass or a miss-control would lose the ball and gift Miami the upper hand, and another opportunity to break at speed.

A needless free kick to Sergio Busquets on the halfway line was taken quickly, but Columbus were asleep, were slow to react, and paid the price.

Messi’s quick pass found Tadeo Allende’s smart run, and he finished well to start the onslaught. The young Argentine has been a great addition to the squad since his recent arrival and is always a threat with his pace and directness.

His attributes complement the skills and wisdom offered by Suarez and Messi, and it’s a front line that Mascherano might be tempted to stick with more long-term.

Then, as Columbus tried to play out from the back, Nicholas Hagen seemed to get his feet caught up, and instead of finding his own player, his clearance fell kindly for Messi, who chipped the ball goalward. The keeper almost made amends but could only parry the ball into his own net.

Despite going two goals behind, the away side continued to pass the ball around and look comfortable in possession, but without creating anything telling.

The statistics show they had more possession in this match than Miami, yet they had one shot on target, compared to Miami’s seven, and neither Miami’s goalkeepers made a save.

Columbus couldn’t cope with the Miami attack and were undone again as the home side went three goals clear.

A fine pass over the top from Busquets fell perfectly for Messi, and the captain’s delicate chip gave the hapless Hagen no chance.

It was barely halfway through the first half, and Miami was three goals to the good, and it could have been more.

But the game peaked early, and it slowed dramatically as it went on. Although it was a similar pattern throughout, with Columbus having plenty of the ball and Miami content to let them pass it around.

But the home team came unstuck from a set piece close to the hour mark when a Columbus corner was met with a thumping header by Cesar Ruvalcaba to give substitute keeper Rocco Rios Novo no chance.

It gave Columbus some hope, but if the home fans started to feel uneasy, they had their nerves settled minutes later when Suarez finished off a beautiful passing move that included five Miami players.

The impressive Ben Cremaschi picked up the loose ball in midfield and played in Marcelo Weigandt. Then, some delightful Miami interplay fed the ball to Suarez, who finished well to complete a great team goal.

At that point, any thoughts of a fightback ended, and Miami were able to play out the rest of the game in comfort. That’s not before some more inspired football from Messi.

His curling pass fell perfectly for the run of Fafa Picault, and the substitute did the pass justice with a fine finish to add some polish to an already shiny performance.