The ninth round of Major League Soccer(MLS) brings one of the most anticipated matches on the calendar: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami visits Columbus Crew this Saturday, in a key clash for the top of the Eastern Conference.
Both clubs come in as favorites for the conference title and as the only undefeated teams in the 2025 season, which adds even more appeal to this matchup.
Columbus without ‘Cucho’, but with Rossi as a referent
Columbus Crew is in first place with 18 points, while Inter Miami is in fourth place with 15 points, but with a game in hand, which could make this match a turning point in the standings.
The local team has managed to stay at the top of the table despite the departure of Colombian striker Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández, who was recently transferred to European soccer.
In his place, Uruguayan Diego Rossi, a former LAFC star, has taken over the team’s offensive leadership.
Coach Wilfried Nancy has managed to consolidate a balanced group of youth and experience, with a solid tactical system that has been difficult for his opponents to break.
Inter Miami and Messi: focus on two fronts
For Inter Miami, the April schedule is intense and demanding.
After the match in Columbus, the team of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets must focus on the semifinal of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which will be played next Thursday, April 24, against Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada.
The team coached by Gerardo “Tata” Martino has maintained a good run in the league, but its continental aspirations are also high.
The rotation of players and the management of Messi’s minutes will be key in this double competition.
How the West is shaping up: Vancouver leads and the Galaxy are not getting back on their feet
In the Western Conference, the Vancouver Whitecaps – leaders with 19 points – are coming off a 5-1 crushing of Austin FC and will visit mid-table St. Louis City this weekend.
For their part, the LA Galaxy are going through a serious crisis: they are last in the West with only three points in eight games and no wins so far (three draws and five defeats).
The loss of their star player, Riqui Puig, has been a hard blow for the Los Angeles club, who will be looking to turn their situation around this Saturday against Spanish coach Nico Estévez’s Austin FC.
Also in the West, Los Angeles FC (LAFC) will face the Portland Timbers in a Northwest classic, while the Seattle Sounders will host Nashville SC in another high-profile match.
Other duels to follow in the East
In addition to the stellar Columbus vs Inter Miami, other important games with table implications will be played in the East:
Philadelphia Union vs Atlanta United
New England Revolution vs New York City FC
New York Red Bulls vs DC United
These games could define key positions in the playoff qualification zone.
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