The Columbus Crew look to keep an impressive road-winning streak alive as they travel to Fort Lauderdale to take on a shorthanded Inter Miami CF. Miami is down Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez due to international duty in the Copa America tournament, the club is down David Ruiz and Tomás Avilés, each received red cards in their previous match against Philadelphia. Inter is also weathering a series of injuries as they look to maintain their position atop the Eastern Conference.

Expectations for the Crew to earn a win are high, especially with the aforementioned absences, but the Herons have been able to grind out wins despite critical absences. For either team, a win in this game could be the difference to challenge for the Supporter’s Shield. 

Columbus has a few missing pieces as well, most notably forward Jacen Russell-Rowe who is away on international duty. Veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush remains out with an arm injury.

Here is how the Black & Gold could lineup:

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte needs to be in form and not take this shorthanded Miami team lightly. A bad Miami squad was the only other team besides the Crew to win at Lower.com Field during the 2023 regular season. Forward Leo Campana dominated the Black & Gold in the two matches last season.

Schulte has taken a step up in shot-stopping, but the defensive unit as a whole has collectively taken a step forward after a full season adapting to head coach Wilfried Nancy’s system. Expect more cohesion from the backline of defenders Malte Amundsen, Yevhen Cheberko, and Steven Moreira. With better communication, experience, and more confidence expect the Crew backline to handle Campana better than the previous season. 

Wingback Mo Farsi had one of his best games at the senior team last match and has become an important and locked-in starter, but it seems there could be a real battle for the left wingback position. Wingback Yaw Yeboah has contributed pivotal goals, including the MLS Cup winner, but has not taken hold of the position as some may have thought. Winger Max Arfsten has shown real growth this season as a wingback and also had one of his best matches for the Black & Gold last Friday in New York. It would not be a surprise to see Nancy let the hot hand ride here. 

Nancy decided to substitute Aidan Morris even with his impending transfer last match, which came as a surprise. There has been no news on the offer being officially signed and Morris being transferred. He will likely play one or two more matches for the club, I anticipate him starting against Sporting Kansas City, to allow the Crew faithful to say farewell, although he could have a final match in Fort Lauderdale which is his hometown. Anticipate Morris playing in a limited role in this match. Captain Darlington Nagbe will lead the Black & Gold with Sean Zawadzki starting alongside him. 

Columbus is 18-4-3 when forward Christian Ramirez starts, and yet Nancy rotates Ramirez in and out of the lineup. One argument is that Nancy starts Ramirez in advantageous matchups, but he simply brings a different profile to the Crew that none of the other attackers can replicate. Even with how effective Ramirez has been, expect Nancy to rotate here. Inter Miami is disjointed and shorthanded due to injuries and red cards in the backline and the diminutive midfielder Alex Matan could cause some serious issues dribbling at the backline. DP forward Cucho Hernandez did break his MLS slump and fellow DP forward Diego Rossi has begun having better goal production, is this finally the match where both get on the scoresheet together?

The Columbus attack has not been as prolific as last season, averaging only 1.6 goals a game, but only Miami and Real Salt Lake average more than two goals a game. The Crew ended last season with 1.97 goals a game, slowing down from their greater than two-goal-a-game pace at midseason.

Kickoff for the contest is scheduled for 7:30 PM.