After succoming the first goal against a 10-man New York City FC last Friday, the Columbus pulled out a 3-2 win heading into their midweek matchup against Inter Miami CF.

Miami, who were also victors after pulling out a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Union while down to nine players, were missing key pieces such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as they welcomed the 2023 MLS Cup Champions.

Inter Miami wasted no time dictating play when Benjamin Cremaschi saw his shot from distance go wide in the second minute. Moments later, it was Ian Fray who would give the Herons a 1-0 lead when he headed home a Julian Gressel corner kick in the 10th minute.

Cucho Hernandez attempted to get his name on the score sheet five minutes later but his shot was just high over the crossbar.

Miami doubled its lead through Leo Campana, when he headed a Gressel cross on frame that was saved by Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. The rebound was stuffed into the back of the net by Campana to make the score 2-0. It was the first goal allowed by Columbus between the 16-30 minute interval this season.

In the 29th minute, Yaw Yeboah played Hernandez inside the 18-yard box with a cross, but the header was put over the frame.

The Crew grew more lively as the first half ticked on, possessing more of the ball and generating attacking chances.

Hernandez cut the Miami deficit in half, when he was able to get a foot on an Aidan Morris cross in the 40th minute, and put it behind Miami goalkeeper Drake Callander to make the score 2-1.

With three minutes added to the first half, Columbus saw themselves with a free kick just before the halftime whistle. Yeboah played a backpass to Hernandez, whose shot was just high and over the crossbar seeing the Black & Gold enter the dressing room down a goal.

The Crew took to the second half much better than the first.

It was in the 50th minute when an attacking chance for Columbus was then ceased after Hernandez played a ball forward to Steven Moreira that was just out of reach for the Cape Verde international. At the other end minutes later, Robert Taylor had his shot saved by Schulte to keep the score at 2-1.

In the 62nd minute, Hernandez found Christian Ramirez with a short lobbed cross inside the 18-yard box. Ramirez had his 360 finish saved by Callender, but the chances were starting to build for the Black & Gold.

Yeboah would find himself dribbling around two Miami defenders before being taken down inside of the box, but no penalty was given.

Columbus had two chances within 10 minutes of each other in the 71st and 79th. Diego Rossi and Moreira played a quick give-and-go that saw Rossi’s shot blocked and cleared. Later, Hernandez found himself alone on goal, but the right-footed shot was saved by Callender.

Columbus would see no other clear-cut chances for an equalizer, and see their four-game road win streak come to an end.

Win streak snapped

With the loss, the Crew sees its road four game win streak come to an end. The streak heading into the match was the second time in Club history that they had won four straight on the road.

Darlington Nagbe sees 400

With the start tonight, captain Darlington Nagbe made his 400th MLS appearance. A pivotal midfielder for the Black & Gold, Nagbe has helped Columbus win two MLS Cups and make the Concacaf Champions Cup Final for the first time in Club history.

What’s next?

The Columbus Crew are back home on Saturday to host Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT from Lower.com Field. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.