Goals from Ian Fray and Leo Campana propelled Inter Miami to a 2-1 triumph over reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew at Chaste Stadium.
How the game unfolded
The Herons couldn’t have got off to a better start in front of their supporters in south Florida. Right-back Ian Fray — who was making his appearance for the first team since his ACL injury last summer — opened the scoring and put the Herons in front after heading home Julian Gressel’s pin-point accurate corner kick.
Miami double their advantage in the 20th minute after a couple of missed chance from Leo Campana and Robert Taylor, who were filling in for the likes of Matias Rojas and Luis Suarez. Gressel — who started on the right-wing for the second straight match in place of Lionel Messi – played Campana through on goal with a beautiful curling pass into the Ecuadorian’s path, but Miami’s No. 8 was unable to to convert from close range.
Campana was able to regain possession after Patrick Schulte’s save and then teed up Taylor from an even better position, but the Finland international was also unable to get past the Crew’s shot-stopper. However, Gressel picked up the ball near Columbus’ six-yard box and sent in an inviting cross that Campana headed toward goal — and his initial effort was saved before he rocketed home a close-range strike into the roof of the net.
The south Florida side seemed certain to head into halftime with a 2-0 advantage until Cucho Hernandez struck. Aidan Morris found Hernandez barreling into the Herons’ penalty area, and the Colombia international somehow managed to get on the end of the midfielder’s cross to pull one back for the Crew.
As expected, the Crew came out swinging in the second 45. Substitute Ryan Sailor stepped up to make a crucial block in his own box, while Drake Callender got revenge on Hernandez by denying the Columbus striker in a one-on-one situation late on.
It was an impressive win in the end for Miami, who picked up three points once more despite not being at their best for the full 90 minutes — which is largely due to them missing several key players in their squad through injury and Copa America — against a stellar Columbus squad missing just one player to international duty.
The victory saw Miami increase their points tally to 41 from 20 matches played as the team sits in first place in the Supporters’ Shield standings. The Crew remained in sixth place in the Eastern Conference table with 27 points from 16 games, and they’ll be eager to…
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