Messi's Miami remain unbeaten and end Columbus crew's streak

Inter Miami extended their unbeaten start to the Major League Soccer season with a narrow 1–0 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday in Cleveland, thanks to a first-half goal from Benjamin Cremaschi.

Cremaschi found the net in the 30th minute with a diving header following a swift counter-attack initiated by Luis Suárez. Marcelo Weigandt delivered the decisive assist after an incisive run down the right flank.

The result means Miami (5–0–3, 18 points) are now the only remaining undefeated team in the league. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.

The Crew (5–1–3, 18 points) missed the chance to break their franchise record for the longest unbeaten run at the start of a season, equalling the eight-match mark set in 2010 (6–0–2).

Unusually, the match was played around 145 miles north of Columbus at the Cleveland Browns Stadium, home to the NFL franchise owned by Crew owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam. The venue switch was a strategic move to maximise attendance and publicity, capitalising on the presence of Lionel Messi.

Despite the relocation, the crowd of 60,614 fell just short of the stadium's full capacity of 67,431. While a large contingent of fans travelled from Columbus, they were nearly matched by Inter Miami supporters clad in pink.

Miami's opener came moments after a key intervention from Ustari, who denied Max Arfsten from close range in the 29th minute. Messi nearly doubled the lead just before half-time, curling a 25-yard effort narrowly wide of the left post.

The Crew came out aggressively after the break. In the 46th minute, Diego Rossi was denied by another fine Ustari save. Rossi had another chance six minutes later but squandered it with a shot well off target.

Columbus continued to push for an equaliser and had one final opportunity deep into stoppage time. Daniel Gazdag stretched to meet a cross from Andrés Herrera but redirected the ball agonisingly wide of the left post.