The Columbus Crew kicked off their final phase of preseason looking to defend their 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup against MLS foes Inter Miami. With the tournament returning after a two-year hiatus, the Black & Gold certainly are looking to win the tournament, but head coach Caleb Porter is more focused on getting ready for the home opener.
Columbus possess first half against Inter Miami
The Crew when in possession of the ball seemed to play quicker than they did last year. Both teams traded possession back and forth but it was Columbus who had were on the ball most within the first five minutes of the match.
Inter Miami earned a free kick outside of the 18-yard box in the 12th minute to give Miami a scoring chance. The opportunity was saved by Crew keeper Eloy Room to keep the score level at 0-0. On en ensuing corner, Inter Miami had a chance to grab the lead but a shot from just inside the penalty area sailed high over the crossbar.
Columbus and Miami would trade chances midway through the first half. Miami almost capitalized on a spilled ball by Room, but Columbus cleared the danger to force a corner kick for Miami.
In the 32nd minute, Lucas Zelarayan pulls off a chip to try and catch Clement Diop off of his line, but the Miami netminder was able to grab the ball out of the air to keep the score level.
Miami had a spell of an attack as the ladder stages of the first half ticked away, but it was all Columbus.
Chris McVey of Miami would earn himself a yellow card for an elbow to the face of Yeboah in the 45th minute. The call would go to VAR for a possible red card, but the official let the yellow card stay.
The teams would enter the halftime scoreless at 0-0 with Columbus being the more dangerous side throughout.
Early on in the second half Room was able to make a diving save to his right to keep the game scoreless on a Miami strike just outside of the box. Just minutes later, forward Miguel Berry pounced on a loose ball and was able to get a shot off after getting around a defender, forcing Diop to make a save giving Columbus a corner kick.
Ariel Lassiter opens the scoring
Inter Miami finally opened the scoring in the 60th minute when Gonzalo Higuain was able to find Ariel Lassiter who slotted the ball past Room to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.
Columbus had two opportunities off of setpieces to equalize. A free kick from Zelarayan found the head of a Inter Miami defender and out for a corner kick. On the ensuing corner, Miami was able to clear the ball out to midfield where Jonathan Mensah found Derrick Etienne who attempted to find Berry inside the penalty box, but his attempt went out for a goal kick.
Inter Miami started to hold off on attacking, absorbing the pressure the Crew were putting on throughout the second half after the Lassiter goal.
Columbus came inches close to equalizing in the 81st minute, with Etienne’s shot going just wide after a loose ball bounced around in the penalty area.
Derrick Etienne equalizes
The Crew found a late equalizer in the 87th minute through Derrick Etienne Jr. Zelarayan found a wide open Gyasi Zardes who took the space in front and found Etienne on the far side. The initial shot was saved by Diop, but the rebound from Etienne found the back of the net.
Columbus had the push for three points with multiple chances, but nothing came of them. The Black & Gold escape the first match of the Carolina Challenge Cup with a point as the game finished 1-1.
Columbus takes on newly minted MLS side Charlotte FC on Tuesday February 15 at 5pm EDT. You can catch the match on the Club’s official site.
