Lionel Messi and league-leading Inter Miami will face defending champion Columbus Crew in the biggest game of the Major League Soccer season tonight.
What’s at stake? Messi and Inter Miami have a chance to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield with a victory. It would be Inter Miami’s second title of the Messi era after winning Leagues Cup in 2023.
The Supporters’ Shield, given to the MLS regular-season leader, would also be the 46th title in Messi’s storied career. The Crew, however, could delay who wins the regular-season title if they’re able to pull off a draw against Inter Miami.
“My players, yeah, they know that Miami is coming with Messi, and we know that this is a good game for both teams,” Crew coach Wilfred Nancy told reporters Tuesday. “This is good for the league, obviously. This is good for everyone.”
It will be Messi’s first game against the Crew, although both teams played each other twice already this season. And it will be Messi’s fifth game since returning from his Copa America right ankle injury.
Messi has scored three goals in four games, but Inter Miami has secured three straight draws during the span as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner improves his conditioning. It left some media wondering if Inter Miami has played better without Messi when it won 9 of 10 matches before his return.
“I am happy to have the best player in the world with us. And well, adapting to that won’t be a problem,” Inter Miami assistant Javier Morales said.
How to watch Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game on TV
The Inter Miami match against Columbus Crew will be broadcast by FS1 in the United States.
How to live stream Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game tonight
The match will also be available for live stream via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
What time does Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game start?
The match will begin at 7:45 p.m. ET (8:45 p.m. Argentina time)
Is Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Lionel Messi is expected to start and play for Inter Miami against Columbus Crew tonight.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami predictions
Inter Miami 4, Columbus Crew 3: Messi may have heard the talk about Inter Miami playing better without him before his injury return, and makes a statement to deliver the club the MLS Supporters’ Shield title. Messi scores two goals with an assist to Luis Suarez, and Matias Rojas will score for Miami against the Crew. Columbus might have tired legs in its seventh match in 24 days, while Miami will play its fifth in the same span. — Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter for USA TODAY.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami matches
Inter Miami won at home 2-1 in June was Messi was away during Copa America, and the Crew won 3-2 in August with Messi injured en route to winning Leagues Cup 2024.
The way how Columbus won was emphatic: Christian Ramirez scored in the 67th minute, while Diego Rossi scored a brace in the 69th and 80th minutes to steal the victory.
MLS Supporter Shield standings, scenarios
Inter Miami sits atop the MLS regular season standings with 65 points with three games remaining. A win tonight would give Inter Miami 68 points, and no other club would be able to reach that mark, giving them the Supporters’ Shield. If Inter Miami wins out, it would set a new MLS record with 74 points. A loss to Columbus would force Inter Miami to win its final two games to win the Shield.
Columbus Crew is in third with 57 points, but has four games remaining. A loss against Inter Miami would tap the Crew to 66 points if they win their final three games. A win against Inter Miami, however, opens a path to a maximum of 69 points.
MLS playoff clinching scenarios for Wednesday night’s games
➤ Inter Miami CF clinches Supporters’ Shield with:
- Win
➤ Charlotte FC clinches playoff berth with:
- Win
- Draw, and Toronto FC loss or draw, and D.C. United loss or draw, and New England Revolution loss or draw, and Atlanta United loss or draw
- Toronto FC loss or draw, and New England Revolution loss or draw, and Atlanta United loss or draw, and D.C. United draw
➤ Los Angeles FC clinches home-field advantage in Round 1 with:
- Win, and Real Salt Lake loss, and Houston Dynamo FC loss or draw, and Colorado Rapids loss or draw, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC draw
➤ Minnesota United FC clinches playoff berth with:
- Win
- FC Dallas loss or draw
➤ Portland Timbers clinch playoff berth with:
- Win
- Draw, and FC Dallas loss or draw
MLS playoff picture: If the season ended today …
Heading into MLS Matchday 36, these would be the MLS playoff matchups through the first round …
EASTERN CONFERENCE
➤ Clinched playoff spot: Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC
Wild-card match:
- Toronto FC (No. 8 seed) vs. Philadelphia Union (9)
Round 1 (best-of-three series):
- Inter Miami CF (1) vs. Toronto FC-Philadelphia Union winner
- Columbus Crew (2) vs. Charlotte FC (7)
- FC Cincinnati (3) vs. New York Red Bulls (6)
- Orlando City SC (4) vs. New York City FC (5)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
➤ Clinched playoff spot: Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Wild-card match:
- Minnesota United FC (No. 8 seed) vs. Portland Timbers (9)
Round 1 (best-of-three series):
- LA Galaxy (1) vs. Minnesota United FC-Portland Timbers winner
- Los Angeles FC (2) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7)
- Real Salt Lake (3) vs. Houston Dynamo FC (6)
- LColorado Rapids (4) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (5)
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