Messi Leads Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew: Start Time, TV & Live-Stream Details

Kickoff at Nu Stadium in Miami has delivered instant drama as Inter Miami CF and the visiting Columbus Crew went into the break locked at 1-1. Luis Suárez broke the deadlock with a clever 40-yard strike in the 16th minute, but a 34th-minute own goal by new signing Casemiro leveled the contest for Columbus. Eastern Conference stakes are huge tonight. Inter Miami sit just two points behind leaders Nashville SC, while Columbus are trying to climb from 11th and keep their playoff hopes alive. A win for the Herons would momentarily take them top; a Crew upset could slash the gap to the postseason line. Key storylines 1. Messi watch Lionel Messi makes the match-day squad for the first time since Argentina’s World Cup run but starts on the bench after a short post-tournament break. Coach Daniel Hoyos confirmed the No. 10 is “available if needed,” sparking speculation of a second-half cameo. 2. Suárez on fire Tonight’s opener was Suárez’s 13th league goal of 2026, extending a streak of scoring in five straight MLS matches. His partnership with fellow South American forwards Mateo Silvetti and Daniel Pinter continues to power Miami’s league-best attack. 3. Casemiro’s roller-coaster debut The Brazilian midfielder looked composed until an attempted clearance caromed past keeper Rocco Ríos Novo. All eyes will be on how the veteran responds in the second half. 4. Crew’s newfound resilience Columbus arrived in Miami fresh off a 2-1 derby win over FC Cincinnati and have lost just once in their last five outings, thanks to Jamal Thiaré’s emergence up top. Coach Wilfried Nancy’s 4-4-2 diamond is designed to congest midfield passing lanes and spring quick counters. How to watch & live stream • TV/streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (English/Spanish) • Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET; in-stadium kickoff was delayed 15 minutes due to pre-match ceremonies. • Tickets: Limited upper-deck seats remained at $68 on SeatGeek as of this afternoon. First-half stats snapshot • Possession: Miami 53 % – Columbus 47 % • Shots/on goal: 6/1 – 4/1 • Expected goals: 0.14 – 0.39 Second-half outlook If Messi enters, Hoyos may shift to a 4-2-3-1 with the Argentine pulling strings behind Suárez, while Columbus will look to exploit space behind aggressive fullbacks Noah Allen and Facundo Mura. With both sides still chasing pivotal points in the standings, expect an open final 45 and potential late fireworks.