In 2023, Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup thanks to Lionel Messi. A year later, it was over much earlier without the superstar – although the defending champions seemed to have everything under control
Inter Miami must bury its second title dream. Following their quarter-final exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the equivalent of the Champions League for clubs from North and Central America and the Caribbean, in April, Lionel Messi’s club were also eliminated from the Leagues Cup on Wednesday night (CEST) – as defending champions.
Last year, Messi had led Inter to the first title in the franchise’s history in the competition, in which all first division teams from the USA and Mexico take part, but this time he was unable to help. Without the 37-year-old, who is still struggling with his ankle injury from the Copa America final, Inter lost 3-2 at Columbus Crew in the round of 16.
The momentum changes quickly after Gomez’s 2-0
The visitors seemed to be close to progressing for a long time: After taking an early lead with a header from Matias Rojas (10′), his Paraguayan compatriot Diego Gomez – superbly served by veteran Luis Suarez after a one-two – increased the lead to 2-0 (62′). However, the momentum changed when Christian Ramirez scored the equalizer just five minutes later
Ex-Fenerbahce striker Diego Rossi equalized immediately, but shortly after a great chance for Gomez at the other end (69′), and caused a storm of excitement at Lower.com Field – especially when he finally scored from an acute angle to make it 3-2 (80′). Inter, now also with substitute Julian Gressel, did not have another good opportunity, while Rossi missed the hat-trick several times
Bürki & Co. miss out on a surprise
Columbus, the reigning MLS champions, will face New York City FC, led by former Bundesliga professional Hannes Wolf, who beat Tigres UANL 2-1 in Harrison, at home in the quarter-finals. Inter, on the other hand, must now focus on the MLS, where they continue to lead the Eastern Conference with a commanding lead.
For St. Louis City SC, home to Roman Bürki, Cedric Teuchert, Eduard Löwen and Marcel Hartel, Mexico’s champions and league leaders CF America were one step too far. While Teuchert had to leave the pitch before the break with an ankle injury, Löwen scored from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute to make it 2:1, but three goals conceded in the closing stages meant they were eliminated in the round of 16 – 2:4.
