Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishOn Saturday afternoon MLS gave its audience something that is a rarity during the regular season. The top of the table matchup between Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew, the league’s only undefeated teams, felt like a game that mattered. It was a match of consequence in April, something that doesn’t happen often in American soccer.The two sides were locked at the top of the Eastern Conference, but the circumstances and a nearly sold out NFL venue in Cleveland, gave the match a MLS Cup final feel. When Messi walked out of the tunnel holding the hand of a wide-eyed young mascot, the Argentina captain scanned the stadium’s crowded rafters. It was setting fit for another Messi moment.So often since he signed with Miami in 2023, Messi has delivered goals and memorable plays when lights shined brightest. Instead, it was young midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi who scored the only goal of the match in the 30th minute. Miami left Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field with a 1-0 win to remain unbeaten on the year in MLS play.Still, Apple TV commentator Taylor Twellman said after the final whistle that Messi had appeared injured as he left the field.“The storyline is going to be Lionel Messi. Immediately walking off (the field) there’s a small limp to him walking off. He walked off immediately after the final whistle … he did not look right to me in the final 20, 25 minutes of this game.”Asked about Twellman’s comments in the post-game news conference, Mascherano downplayed the report.“As far as I know nothing happened. He came off fine,” said Mascherano. “I didn’t see him walk off but I saw him in the dressing room. As far as I know there’s nothing. I’ll ask the medical staff but they haven’t told me anything.”Messi did have a quiet afternoon. The pitch size was more narrow than the sport’s standard and he was constantly outnumbered when he gained possession. Why smaller fields continue to be accepted for soccer games in NFL stadiums is certainly debatable, as it affects product on the field. On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play. Messi’s best play on the night may have come during the build up to Cremaschi’s goal, in which the Argentina star didn’t even touch the ball.After dropping deep into his own half to get a touch, Messi stood at the right fullback position and pushed Marcelo Weignandt, Miami’s owner of that position, further up the field. Messi watched as the ball was switched to the left flank where Miami’s Luis Suarez controlled the ball before sending a diagonal ball to a sprinting Weignandt. The former Boca Juniors fullback hit a one-time cross that was met by Cremaschi for Miami’s winner.Messi was the main attraction on the night, but the primary takeaway from the match went beyond the Argentine’s impact on MLS. In front of 60,614 fans, Miami and Columbus proved that different organizational approaches to squad building, and history versus hype, can still make MLS appealing for casual viewers and invested supporters.In addition to their place in the Eastern Conference standings, Columbus and Miami are two talented teams with widely different roster builds and institutional philosophies. Columbus is an original MLS club that has built a positive reputation as a visionary. They are a true MLS success story, having survived a failed attempt to relocate the team to Austin, Texas, by previous owner Anthony Precourt in 2018.Since hiring French manager Wilfried Nancy in 2023, the Crew have been consistently pleasing on the eye. Nancy is the reigning MLS Coach of the year. His play style requires highly technical players, a standard that is not widely characteristic of MLS. After winning the 2023 MLS Cup final and competing well in regional competitions against Mexican clubs, the Crew’s positional play is now recognized across North America. That points to the club’s strength in player recruitment and international talent identification processes.Columbus’ starting XI featured players from eight different countries. One of their star players is Cape Verde international Steven Moreira, and despite transferring former striker Cucho Hernandez to Real Betis in January, the Crew remain MLS Cup contenders. Earlier this week, Columbus strengthened their attack with an inter-league trade to acquire Daniel Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union for $4 million.Miami’s story is very different. Their much-publicized launch in 2020 was hindered by COVID-19. Until Messi’s arrival, the club was an underwhelming sporting project. Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez are complimented by a stable of South American players.Today they are a recognizable global brand with star players and trophy-laden expectations. Miami are the defending Supporters’ Shield champions and owners of the current MLS points record. Messi has been a smashing success for Miami and its ambitious owners, whose influence and cash has shaped their steady rise.An unbeaten Miami in April doesn’t change the fact that they are far and away the leading candidates to win MLS Cup in 2025. Anything less would be another painful letdown after Messi and Miami were eliminated by Atlanta United in the opening round of last year’s MLS playoffs. On Thursday, Miami will face fellow MLS side Vancouver in the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.Miami head coach Javier Mascherano removed Suarez in the 68th minute and rested several starters against Columbus, knowing that stakes are much higher for Thursday’s first leg match.“We beat one of the best teams in the league,” Mascherano said, “we ended the match feeling stronger during a week when we needed it.”(Top photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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