Both the MLS top seed and the defending champion will return home early when the Columbus Crew host Inter Miami in the 2024 Leagues Cup Round of 16.
Inter Miami rose to prominence after winning last year’s competition, thanks to new signing Lionel Messi. This time around, Messi has yet to play a single minute of the Leagues Cup due to an ankle injury and, while he is expected to return to training at some point this week, it seems likely that this game will come too soon for him to feature.
His teammates will therefore try to surprise the Crew, who thrashed Sporting Kansas City 4-0 in their round of 32 match. It was the first match of the competition for Columbus, who secured a direct ticket to the knockout stage thanks to their league title last season.
Columbus sits third in the Eastern Conference standings, 10 points behind Inter Miami, but the absence of Messi and the rest of the Crew during the group stage has Columbus as the favorite for this match.
Live stream and TV channel of the Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami match
- TV Channel: None
- Transmission: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
The Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami Round of 16 match was not selected for television broadcast and will instead be streamed exclusively. MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Apple TV has not made any Round of 16 matches available to viewers for free, so this match will be exclusive to MLS Season Pass subscribers. Those who wish to subscribe to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV can do so at a reduced price to reflect the season being halfway through.
What time does the Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami game start?
This Leagues Cup Round of 16 match kicks off at Lower.com Field on Tuesday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Columbus, Ohio.
Here’s how that time translates into the different North American time zones:
| Date | Start time | |
| Eastern Time | Tuesday, August 13th | 19:30 hours |
| Central Time | Tuesday, August 13th | 6:30 pm |
| Mountain Time | Tuesday, August 13th | 5:30 pm |
| Pacific Time | Tuesday, August 13th | 4:30 pm |
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami lineups and team updates
The reigning MLS Cup champions are well-rested thanks to their direct passage to the Leagues Cup group stage. Their only absence due to injury is that of their backup goalkeeper. Evan Bush who is sidelined with a broken arm suffered while rehabilitating from a previous injury.
Regular starter Patrick Schulte He was on the bench during the round of 32 match in Columbus, having just returned from Olympic duties, and it is unclear whether Nicholas Hagen will remain in the net as “goalkeeper of the Cup” or whether Schulte will return to action after a well-deserved rest.
Columbus Crew Projected Starting Lineup (3-4-3): Hagen (GK) – Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen – Farsi, Zawadzki, Nagbe, Arfsten – C. Ramirez, Cucho, Rossi.
While Lionel Messi He appears close to returning to the pitch, but it’s unlikely to be in this game as he is not yet training with the rest of the Inter Miami roster, and is instead relegated to just inpidual work.
Advocate Hector Martinez will be suspended for this match due to his red card at the start of their round of 32 victory, meaning that Sergey Krivtsov either Noah Allen He will likely start in the club’s weak defense, depending largely on Kryvtsov’s fitness. Facundo Farias and Nicolas Freire due to anterior cruciate ligament tears, although the former could return in the next month or two if his recovery progresses well.
Benjamin Cremaschi He has just returned from Olympic duties but could be fit enough to start if Tata Martino wishes to rotate his midfield.
Inter Miami’s projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) – Weigandt, Avilés, Kryvtsov, Alba – Cremaschi, Busquets, Redondo – Gressel, L. Suárez, Rojas.
Columbus Crew vs. Inter Miami Prediction, Odds and Betting Lines
- Score prediction: Columbus Crew 3-1 Inter Miami
Inter Miami plays much better at home than on the road, and with so many roster changes due to injuries and national team commitments, Tata Martino has struggled to maintain any kind of consistency this season.
The current team has played incredibly well, but against the reigning MLS Cup champions, who have enjoyed a considerable break of late, and without Lionel Messi, it will be too difficult for the Leagues Cup holders to advance further. The Herons are still a strong team, but this is a bad matchup for a defense that has been hit by injuries.
| MGM bet (USA) |
|
| Columbus Crew Victory (90 minutes) |
-135 |
| Draw (90 minutes) |
+260 |
| Inter Miami wins (90 minutes) |
+260 |
| Both teams To mark |
And: -175 N: +125 |
| More / Less 2.5 goals |
O: -175 U: +120 |
