Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew, Inter Miami CF secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Columbus Crew at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, ending the Crew’s unbeaten run in the Major League Soccer (MLS) 2025 season. In a match dubbed the “battle of the unbeatens,” 20-year-old midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi emerged as the hero, overshadowing stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. For fans seeking Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025, this article provides a detailed breakdown of individual performances, tactical insights, and the significance of this pivotal Eastern Conference clash.

Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025: Benjamin Cremaschi Steals the Show in MLS Battle of Unbeatens
The matchup between Inter Miami and Columbus Crew was a showcase of MLS’s top talent, with both teams entering Matchday 8 undefeated. Columbus, led by coach Wilfried Nancy, dominated possession with 59.6% and created numerous chances, but Inter Miami’s clinical execution and defensive resilience secured the win. Cremaschi’s 30th-minute diving header, assisted by Marcelo Weigandt, proved the difference, keeping Inter Miami as the last unbeaten team in the league.
The Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025 reflect a team that leaned on young talent and defensive solidity to overcome a relentless opponent in front of a record 60,614 fans. This victory strengthened Inter Miami’s position atop the Eastern Conference and highlighted their depth beyond their star-studded roster.
Here’s how Inter Miami’s players performed in this thrilling encounter:
Goalkeeper & Defense
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Oscar Ustari (6/10)
Ustari was a steady presence, handling Columbus’s pressure with composure. His positioning thwarted several Crew attacks, earning a solid rating in the Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025. -
Marcelo Weigandt (6/10)
Weigandt’s pinpoint cross for Cremaschi’s goal was a highlight, but defensive lapses allowed Columbus to exploit his flank. A mixed but impactful performance. -
Gonzalo Lujan (7/10)
Stepping into a central defensive role, Lujan looked assured, making crucial interceptions and maintaining composure against Columbus’s attacking onslaught. -
Noah Allen (7/10)
Playing out of position as a center-back, Allen delivered a near-flawless display, rarely misstepping and earning high marks in the Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025. -
Jordi Alba (7/10)
Alba’s off-the-ball intelligence shone, with stellar positioning and attacking contributions. He was one of Miami’s most consistent threats.
Midfield
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Yannick Bright (6/10)
Bright struggled to control possession against Columbus’s midfield but disrupted their attacks with timely tackles, showing grit if not flair. -
Sergio Busquets (7/10)
Tasked with containing MLS veteran Darlington Nagbe, Busquets held his own defensively, anchoring Miami’s midfield with poise. -
Benjamin Cremaschi (8/10)
The standout performer, Cremaschi’s diving header and physical presence earned him the highest rating in the Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025. His No. 10 role disrupted Columbus’s rhythm.
Attack
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Tadeo Allende (5/10)
Allende had moments of promise but lacked synergy with Messi and Suarez, missing the urgency needed to make an impact. -
Luis Suarez (4/10)
Substituted early in the second half, Suarez struggled to keep pace with the match’s tempo, making minimal contributions. -
Lionel Messi (5/10)
Shadowed by Nagbe, Messi was unusually quiet. While he showed flashes of brilliance, his typical game-changing influence was absent—a rare off-day for the maestro.
Key Moments That Defined the Match
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Cremaschi’s Goal (30th Minute)
Weigandt’s superb cross found Cremaschi, whose diving header gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead, setting the tone for their defensive stand. -
Columbus’s Missed Chances (First Half)
Diego Rossi’s wide-open shot and Jacen Russell-Rowe’s header were golden opportunities, but poor finishing kept the Crew scoreless. -
Nagbe’s Masterclass (Throughout)
Darlington Nagbe’s relentless marking of Messi limited the Argentine’s influence, showcasing Columbus’s tactical discipline. -
Gazdag’s Late Miss (Stoppage Time)
Daniel Gazdag’s well-timed run ended with a shot dragged wide, encapsulating Columbus’s lack of clinical edge despite their dominance.
These moments shaped the Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025, highlighting Miami’s ability to capitalize on limited chances while weathering Columbus’s pressure.
Tactical Analysis: How Inter Miami Outsmarted Columbus
Inter Miami, under coach Javier Mascherano, adopted a pragmatic approach, ceding possession (40.4%) to Columbus and relying on counter-attacks. This mirrored their strategy from a previous encounter, as noted by fans on X: “Inter Miami clearly went with a similar gameplan to last year vs Columbus. Let them have the ball and then hit on the counter.”
Columbus’s high line, a hallmark of Nancy’s style, left space for Miami to exploit, though only Cremaschi converted. Defensively, Busquets and Allen’s discipline neutralized Columbus’s 15 shots, with only three on target. The Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025 reflect a team that prioritized efficiency over flair, a testament to Mascherano’s adaptability.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The victory sparked lively reactions online. “Cremaschi is the MVP,” one X user declared, while another praised Miami’s defense: “Solid defense led by Ustari and a game in hand boost Miami’s playoff push.” Fans also noted Messi’s quiet game, with some crediting Nagbe’s defensive work. The Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025 resonated with supporters, who celebrated Cremaschi’s breakout moment and Miami’s resilience.
What This Win Means for Inter Miami’s 2025 Season
Inter Miami’s 1-0 triumph solidified their status as Eastern Conference leaders and the MLS’s last unbeaten team after Matchday 8. With a game in hand, they’re well-positioned for the playoffs and a potential Supporters’ Shield defense. However, the Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025 reveal areas for improvement, particularly in attack, where Messi and Suarez underperformed. Upcoming matches, including a Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal against Vancouver Whitecaps, will test their depth.
For Columbus, the loss highlighted their need for a clinical finisher, despite their attacking flair. As one analyst noted, “They’re missing that elite, top-level, MVP-type guy,” with speculation about a big signing in the summer transfer window.
Conclusion
The Inter Miami player ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025 tell the story of a team that triumphed through grit and a moment of brilliance. Benjamin Cremaschi’s heroics, coupled with standout performances from Gonzalo Lujan, Noah Allen, and Jordi Alba, secured a crucial 1-0 victory, ending Columbus Crew’s unbeaten streak. While Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were subdued, Inter Miami’s defensive resilience and tactical nous proved decisive. As the Herons eye playoff glory, this win underscores their depth and potential. Share your thoughts on the ratings and Cremaschi’s breakout performance below!
🚨Once a wise man said: You could put Messi in a telephone box with three defenders and he’d still come out with the ball. I don’t care! pic.twitter.com/XqgW9YLpIz
— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) April 19, 2025
FAQs: Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Columbus Crew 2025
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Who was Inter Miami’s best player against Columbus Crew in 2025?
Benjamin Cremaschi, rated 8/10, was the standout, scoring the decisive goal with a diving header. -
Why did Lionel Messi have a quiet game?
Columbus’s Darlington Nagbe marked Messi closely, limiting his influence and resulting in a 5/10 rating. -
How did Inter Miami win despite Columbus’s dominance?
Miami capitalized on a clinical chance via Cremaschi and relied on strong defending, with only three of Columbus’s 15 shots on target. -
What was the key moment in the match?
Cremaschi’s 30th-minute header, assisted by Weigandt, was the only goal, shifting momentum in Miami’s favor. -
How does this win impact Inter Miami’s 2025 season?
It keeps them unbeaten, atop the Eastern Conference, and boosts their playoff and Supporters’ Shield chances. -
What’s next for Inter Miami after this match?
They face Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, a crucial test of their depth.
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