This Saturday, the Columbus Crew will host Inter Miami CF at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, marking a significant moment for the team as they expand their fan base in Northeast Ohio. Midfielder Sean Zawadzki, a Cleveland native, is particularly excited. “It’s great to play in front of my loved ones and people I care about,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a huge game, and we’ve got a task ahead.”
For Zawadzki and many others in the area, soccer has often taken a backseat to Cleveland’s passion for the Browns (NFL), Cavaliers (NBA), and Guardians (MLB). While soccer has struggled to find its place in the local sports culture, the Crew’s trip to Cleveland is an effort to bring the sport closer to the city’s fans. With the 67,431-capacity stadium set to host another large crowd, the Crew aim to captivate the city’s attention.
The match also features a high-stakes clash between MLS’s two last undefeated teams: the Crew, with a 5-0-3 record, and Inter Miami, which sits at 4-0-3. Despite losing star forward Cucho Hernández in the offseason, the Crew currently lead the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, Inter Miami, with global star Lionel Messi on board, have continued their impressive form in both league play and the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The idea of bringing a Crew home game to Cleveland has been in the works for years. When the Haslams, owners of both the Browns and the Crew, took over the team in late 2018, they included the right to host a match in Cleveland as part of the deal. Josh Glessing, the Crew’s president of business operations, explained that the focus initially was on reinvigorating the fanbase in Columbus after the opening of Lower.com Field in 2021. With the team’s success and strong fan engagement in the capital, it was time to bring the game to Cleveland.
“Now is the time to bring the Crew to Northeast Ohio,” said Glessing. “It’s something we’ve hoped to do for six years, and we’re excited to finally make it happen.”
To ensure smooth travel for their Columbus fans, the Crew have organized shuttles and perks like food and beverage discounts for season-ticket holders. The goal is to build support not only in Columbus but throughout Ohio, with an eye on future engagement in Cleveland.
The game will be more than just a spectacle. It’s a chance for the Crew to showcase their attractive style of play under head coach Wilfried Nancy. Known for keeping the ball and seeking scoring opportunities, the Crew will look to maintain their high-level performance even in an environment that may feel like a neutral-site game due to Miami’s fanbase, many of whom will be in town to see Messi.
“We will try to do everything to have a good performance,” Nancy said, acknowledging the challenge of playing in front of a crowd with mixed allegiances.
The Crew’s past encounters with Miami, including a thrilling 3-2 victory in the 2024 Leagues Cup, have shown that these two teams provide exciting, high-quality soccer. For Zawadzki, playing in front of Cleveland’s new fans adds to the anticipation.
“It’s really exciting to bring the game to their backyard,” he said. “For us, we want to continue playing the way we’ve been playing — at the top of the league, showcasing our capabilities and bringing enjoyment to the fans.”
As the Crew aim for victory on the field, they hope this match will leave a lasting impression on Cleveland fans and help build more soccer support across the state. With the Crew and Inter Miami’s strong form, Saturday’s game promises to be a memorable occasion for both teams and the local soccer community.
