CLEVELAND, OH – Lionel Messi and Inter Miami head north on Saturday to face off against the Columbus Crew. This unique Major League Soccer matchup unfolds at Huntington Bank Field, the home stadium of the NFL's Cleveland Browns, bringing top-tier soccer to an unexpected venue in Northeast Ohio.
The decision to host the match in Cleveland moves the Crew out of their usual home stadium. Crew supporters will fill the space known as the Dawg Pound, typically occupied by Browns fans. Lionel Messi, one of soccer's premier players, adds this distinctive setting to his playing history as he Messi visits the Dawg Pound.
This contest features two of the league's early standout teams. Both the Crew and Inter Miami enter Saturday's game without a loss in MLS regular season play. The Crew holds a 5-0-3 record, while Miami sits at 4-0-3. This meeting represents the first time the two undefeated sides clash this season. Columbus Crew looking to remain undefeated against strong competition adds another layer to the event.
For several Columbus Crew players, the match marks a return to their roots. Three local players ready to represent home during the game in Cleveland. Midfielder Sean Zawadzki from Olmsted Falls, midfielder and captain Darlington Nagbe of East Cleveland, and goalkeeper Evan Bush from Concord grew up playing soccer in the Northeast Ohio area.
These players developed their skills locally before advancing their careers. Both Nagbe and Bush played college soccer at the University of Akron, achieving notable success. Nagbe was part of the Zips' national championship team in 2010, and Bush set records for wins and shutouts in the Mid-American Conference during his time there. Zawadzki progressed through the Crew academy system.
The opportunity to play in the Browns' stadium holds special meaning for the local players. Zawadzki described it as a "full-circle moment," having attended Browns games there as a child. Nagbe and Bush, both self-proclaimed Browns fans, shared their anticipation about playing on that field against a high-profile opponent. Crew General Manager Issa Tall emphasized the club's commitment to developing local talent, calling it a "cornerstone" of their organization.
Fans can watch the match live on Apple TV. The game streams at 4:30 p.m. ET with an MLS Season Pass subscription required. The English broadcast features Jake Zivin and Taylor Twellman. A Spanish broadcast is available with Sammy Sadovnik and Diego Valeri providing commentary.
Radio coverage for the match is also available. The English broadcast airs on 105.7 FM and through the iHeartRadio app, with Chris Doran on the call. The Spanish radio broadcast airs via 103.1 FM La Mega, featuring Juan Valladares.
The Crew enters the match having secured wins in their last three MLS outings, including recent victories against St. Louis City and CF Montreal. They drew their two previous matches before this winning streak.
Northeast Ohio natives on the team expressed hope that the high-profile match could boost soccer's presence in the region. They noted the passion of Cleveland sports fans and believe that same enthusiasm could transfer to soccer, especially with recent news about Cleveland landing a women's Division II team set to begin play in 2027.