The Columbus Crew are hovering just above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference, after securing a dramatic equalizer in their recent “Hell Is Real” fixture against FC Cincinnati. Steven Moreira scored with essentially the last kick of the game, helping the Crew claw back from 2-1 down in the 90th minute. With the Crew now hosting a double-game week, they now turn their attention to Inter Miami FC.

Match Preview: Columbus Crew vs Inter Miami FC

This meeting will be the first of the season between the two clubs. In the last meeting in late October last year, the Crew came out victorious with a 4-0 win. Columbus is looking to build off of their fight from the last match, and take it into a depleted Inter Miami FC side who will be without key pieces to the team.

For Inter Miami, they must find a way to work without their star players, and see if they can contain Columbus striker Cucho Hernandez and midfielder Lucas Zelarayan. Columbus, who sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference are hoping to pull further away from the pack below the playoff line, while Miami are eyeing a potential fifth place spot in the standings.

Team news – Injuries & Suspensions

Columbus Crew: Pedro Santos (R Thigh) is ruled out.

Inter Miami FC: Alejandro Pozuelo will miss this match after receiving a red card in the previous matchup against the New York Red Bulls. Ian Fray (Knee), Robbie Robinson (Hamstring), Leonardo Campana (Quad) and Brek Shea (Hamstring) are ruled out. Corentin Jean (Adductor), DeAndre Yedlin (Quad) and Gonzalo Higuain (Foot) are listed as questionable.

Head-to-head

The teams have split their only two meetings, with Inter Miami winning the first match 1-0. Columbus followed up their reverse fixture, defeating Miami 4-0.