- Inter Miami remains unbeaten in 8 matches with 1-0 road victory
- Game attracts 60,614 spectators – largest non-NFL crowd in Cleveland Browns Stadium history
- 20-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi scores first MLS goal via diving header
- Messi-related matches account for 9 of MLS' 13 largest 2023-24 attendances
- Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari records 3 clutch saves to secure clean sheet
The clash between MLS' last undefeated teams delivered historic spectacle as Inter Miami edged Columbus Crew 1-0 at Cleveland's NFL venue. With 60,614 fans packing Huntington Bank Field – surpassing the Crew's previous home attendance record by 127% – the relocated match showcased soccer's growing stateside appeal. League officials confirmed this marked the ninth Inter Miami road game since Messi's arrival to surpass 60,000 attendees, a threshold previously reached only twice in MLS history before 2023.
Benjamin Cremaschi's athletic 30th-minute header proved decisive, the young midfielder outmuscling defender Malte Amundsen to redirect Marcelo Weigandt's cross past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. When you see that ball floating in, instinct takes over,Cremaschi remarked post-game. The strike ended a 277-minute scoring drought for Miami players not named Messi, who narrowly missed doubling the lead with a stoppage-time effort.
Argentinian goalkeeper Oscar Ustari emerged as the unsung hero, denying three point-blank Columbus attempts after halftime. His 71st-minute reflex save on Christian Ramirez's volley preserved Miami's fragile lead, continuing the team's defensive resurgence – they've now kept clean sheets in 3 consecutive matches.
The Messi Effect continues reshaping MLS economics. Since his debut, Inter Miami's road games average 62% higher attendance than league counterparts. Saturday's crowd included Cleveland sports luminaries like Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson, illustrating cross-sport appeal. Ticket resale prices peaked at $890 pre-match – 317% above Crew home game averages.
Industry Insight: MLS attendance strategy now prioritizes eventificationthrough three key tactics:
- Star-driven venue upgrades (8 clubs now use NFL stadiums for select matches)
- Dynamic ticket pricing models increasing premium seat revenue by 40-60%
- Cross-promotional partnerships with local franchises (27% of attendees cited Cavaliers/Browns marketing as purchase influence)
Cleveland Case Study: The Lakefront City generated $9.3M in local revenue from the one-off match – equivalent to 14% of Crew's typical seasonal economic impact. Tourism officials reported 61% hotel occupancy within 2 miles of the stadium, compared to 38% for typical September weekends. This proves Cleveland can host elite soccer events,said Visit CLE CEO David Gilbert. City council now plans bids for 2026 World Cup training facilities.
Tactically, Miami's high-press system disrupted Columbus' possession game, limiting the Crew to 42% completed passes in attacking thirds – their lowest since May 2023. Coach Wilfried Nancy acknowledged crowd dynamics impacted performance: The energy shifted when Miami scored. We trained for hostility, not 60,000 people holding their breath.
With the win, Miami climbs to second in Eastern Conference standings while Columbus drops to fourth. Analysts project Messi's presence could help MLS achieve its first $2B season revenue milestone in 2024. As Cremaschi summarized: We're not just a team – we're a global happening.