Historic Attendance in Cleveland

The match, held at Huntington Bank Field, attracted an impressive 60,614 spectators, marking it as the largest attendance for a Crew home game and the biggest non-NFL event in the stadium’s history. The decision to relocate the game from Columbus came in light of the heightened interest surrounding Inter Miami’s star player, Lionel Messi.

Key Moment: Cremaschi’s Goal

In the 30th minute, Benjamin Cremaschi scored the lone goal of the match with a diving header, assisted by a precise cross from teammate Marcelo Weigandt. Despite the presence of Columbus defender Malte Amundsen, Cremaschi managed to connect just in time to find the back of the net, marking his first goal of the season.

“It was the only way to get to the ball,” Cremaschi remarked regarding his header, which was celebrated in front of the Dawg Pound section, predominantly filled with Crew fans.

Defensive Efforts and Future Prospects

Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was pivotal in securing the shutout, making three critical saves during the second half. This victory propelled Inter Miami to an impressive record of 5 wins, 0 losses, and 3 draws, while the Columbus Crew’s record now stands at 5 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws.

Acknowledgment of Winning Atmosphere

Despite playing away from home, the atmosphere felt familiar to the Inter Miami squad. Cremaschi noted, “We’re playing away but sometimes we feel at home. I think everything goes away in the moment and we focus on our goal.”

The match also drew the attention of notable figures including Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson and Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.