Columbus Crew host Inter Miami on 27 September 2026 in an MLS regular season fixture where the stakes could hardly be more different. Inter Miami sit third in the Eastern Conference with 46 points and are firmly in the race for a top two finish, whereas Columbus occupy 13th place on just 26 points and the 20-point gap to the play off positions is its own verdict on their season. A home win would keep whatever faint postseason arithmetic remains alive for Laurent Courtois's side, while Kily González will see this as a chance to extend an unbeaten run that has quietly built Miami's case in the East.
Courtois took charge of Columbus on 17 May 2026, replacing Henrik Rydström, while González assumed control of Inter Miami in late August 2026 after Guillermo Hoyos was let go. Neither has faced the other on a touchline before, with both managers still finding their feet in their respective roles.
Columbus have been inconsistent: a 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids on 5 September was followed by back to back losses to D.C. United and New York Red Bulls, though they steadied themselves with a 2-0 win at CF Montréal on 19 September. Inter Miami haven't lost in five, mixing three draws against Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville with a 2-0 Campeones Cup win over Cruz Azul and another 2-2 against San Diego FC. Three draws in five is a pattern worth examining, because Miami have dropped points against sides they would be expected to beat, which suggests a team still settling into González's methods rather than one already operating at its ceiling.
Columbus will be without Wessam Abou Ali, sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear. Inter Miami have more absentees: Tadeo Allende is out with a knee injury, Israel Boatwright is also missing after a cruciate tear of his own and Yannick Bright is suspended for yellow card accumulation.
Courtois has tried various shapes since taking over, settling most often on a 3-4-2-1 or a more conventional back four. Brais Méndez has started to impose himself since arriving in the summer, his range of passing giving Columbus a creative outlet they previously lacked, while Josef Martínez offers aerial presence and hold up play that allows the midfield to push higher. The loss of Abou Ali complicates matters, because without his physicality Columbus struggle to hold the ball in advanced areas and will need Méndez and the wide midfielders to create through quick combinations rather than direct play.
The central problem Columbus face is Lionel Messi's habit of dropping into the channels between the lines and forcing centre backs to decide whether to follow him or hold their shape and either choice leaves a gap. He has scored 20 goals and laid on 13 assists in the league this season, with Luis Suárez adding double figures of his own. Without Bright available to screen in front of the defence, that gap grows considerably and whether Columbus have the personnel to press into it without Abou Ali leading the line is genuinely debatable.
González has Miami looking to go vertical quickly on the turnover, with Messi and Suárez picking up second balls and running at exposed defences. Against a Columbus side that needs to carry the game to have any chance, that approach should generate openings. Columbus's best route into this is winning the physical battles in midfield, disrupting Miami's rhythm early and getting Méndez on the ball in dangerous positions before Miami can settle into their preferred tempo.
The last meeting ended 2-2 on 2 August 2026, with Columbus coming from behind to level and neither side able to hold an advantage. Miami have generally had the edge in recent years but Columbus have shown they can disrupt them when well organised.
With both squads missing players, set pieces may matter more than usual. Columbus have been organised defending dead balls at home, though Messi converting even a half chance (he has done it 20 times already this season) is a genuine risk any time Miami get into promising positions.
Inter Miami to win 2-1. Columbus have home advantage and have shown they can disrupt better sides when they control the tempo but Messi and Suárez at their best are a level above what a team sitting 13th in the East can reliably contain for 90 minutes. Miami's ability to go vertical quickly makes them dangerous every time Columbus commit men into attack, opening space in behind. Méndez or Martínez may find a goal but Miami look likely to grab two.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
