Messi leads third-place Miami to Columbus in playoff-chase clash

Inter Miami CF travels to Columbus Crew on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in an MLS regular season matchup with contrasting stakes for each team. Inter Miami, third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points from 12 wins, 4 losses, and 10 draws, aims to end a four-match winless streak and secure playoff positioning. Columbus Crew, 13th in the East with 26 points, sits seven points behind the final playoff slot with eight matches remaining and hope to ignite a late-season push.

Inter Miami will deploy Lionel Messi, who leads MLS with 20 goals and 13 assists (33 total goal contributions), along with Luis Suárez and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul despite seven teammates being called to international duty. Messi, who officially retired from Argentina after the 2026 World Cup, is available as the international break does not halt MLS play. Columbus counters with summer signing Brais Méndez, the Spanish midfielder acquired from Real Sociedad, who has scored three goals and added three assists in nine MLS appearances and struck the game-winning free kick in the teams' previous 2–2 draw on August 1. Columbus enters on positive momentum after shutting out CF Montréal 2–0 last weekend and eliminating Orlando City 2–1 in the US Open Cup.

The matchup marks the first league meeting this season between the sides, though the 13th all-time clash in club history. Inter Miami leads the historical series with seven wins to three for Columbus, plus two draws. Miami's road form is notably strong, carrying 27 points from 13 away matches (8 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses), contrasting with recent home inconsistency. Columbus, however, has won just two of its last eight league matches and faces a critical run of fixtures to reach the postseason.

Inter Miami will be without several key players to international duty: goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (Canada), striker Germán Berterame (Mexico), midfielder Matías Galarza (Paraguay), forward Fricio Caicedo (Ecuador), and Alexander Shaw (U.S. U-19). The Herons are also missing injured defenders Telasco Segovia and Mateo Silvetti. Columbus will be without injured forward Wessam Abou Ali, who leads the team with five goals.

Miami coach Cristian González, in his second match after replacing interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, shares Argentine heritage with Messi, both from Rosario. The Herons' recent form—four consecutive draws—has eliminated hopes of a Supporters' Shield title but maintains a four-point cushion over fifth place. Columbus midfielder Brais Méndez emphasized the match's playoff importance: "Every match moving forward for us is a final. We need to go get those wins by all means possible. We can't drop points." The match will be broadcast live on Apple TV.