Miami, FL

Why Columbus Crew vs. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami is a match Major League Soccer has dreamed of

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2024

Why Columbus Crew vs. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami is a match Major League Soccer has dreamed of

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s a debut that has been months in the making but has twice been delayed.

But on Wednesday night at Lower.com Field in Columbus, the player considered by many to be the greatest of his generation gets his first crack at a burgeoning juggernaut.

On paper, it’s just a Wednesday night regular season match in Major League Soccer between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and the Columbus Crew. But in some ways, it means much, much more.

It’s a matchup featuring arguably the best soccer player of the 2000s against a team with a resume as good as any in North America lately. The Crew have won four major trophies in the 2020s, including two MLS Cups, the 2021 Campeones Cup and the 2024 Leagues Cup.

Wednesday’s match, however, won’t be Messi’s first in the state of Ohio. His Inter Miami team played at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati last season in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal match vs. FC Cincinnati. Inter Miami won in penalties, 3-3 (5-4).

This will be Messi’s first Ohio match in MLS play, and the stakes could not be higher for both squads.

The Crew sit in second place in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind Inter Miami, but with a match in hand. They have three matches left this season after Wednesday, while Inter Miami has just two.

So any hopes of the Crew staying alive in the race for the Supporters’ Shield, given to the best regular season team in MLS, along with home field throughout the playoffs, start with defeating Messi and Miami Wednesday night.

However, an Inter Miami win clinches the Supporters’ Shield.

The two clubs have played twice this season: once in the regular season in Miami and once in the Leagues Cup in Columbus. The home team won both matches, but Messi did not play either match due to an ankle injury he suffered in Copa America 2024 playing for Argentina.

His injury also kept him out of the 2024 MLS All-Star Game in July, which was also played in Columbus.

Even at 36, Messi has still been very good in MLS with 15 goals and 11 assists in 16 matches. He scored his 15th of the season on Saturday in a 1-1 draw at home vs. Charlotte FC.

Inter Miami is 9-1-6 in the 16 MLS matches Messi has played this season and 10-4-2 when he’s out of the lineup. Part of why Inter Miami has been successful despite Messi being in and out of the lineup is that he brought several of his old teammates from Barcelona with him in Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

But what awaits Messi and company on Wednesday night is the reigning MLS Cup champions and one of the best home-field advantages in North American soccer.

How to watch for free on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern: Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial). Also, Sling has promotional offers) and MLS Season Pass.

The Crew have lost just two home matches since May, both in controversial fashion.

They suffered a 4-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders on Sept. 7, but it was a game where their top two goalkeepers were on international duty and their third-string keeper was sent off in the 38th minute. It forced midfielder and Olmsted Falls native Sean Zawadzki into goal with his team down a man for the final 52 minutes of regulation. The team was not allowed to bring in a fourth goalkeeper, leaving manager Wilfried Nancy to rip the decision after the match to not allow the Crew to add an emergency goalkeeper.

On Sept. 25, the Crew lost the Campeones Cup to Mexico side Club America, 1-1 (5-4 on penalties). But that match had its own controversial moment. The Crew’s Malte Amundsen missed off the crossbar in the sixth round of the penalty shootout. However, Club America goalkeeper Luis Malagon was off his line prior to Amundsen’s kick.

VAR was not used, and Club America won the match on the next penalty, denying the Crew a fifth trophy in the 2020s.

Lately, Columbus has been a fortress where few teams have success. Inter Miami felt that earlier this season in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 on Aug. 13 when it blew a 2-0 lead in the final 23 minutes. The Crew won, 3-2, on its way to winning the Leagues Cup.

Columbus also has its own firepower to counter what Messi brings.

Cucho Hernandez is among the league’s most dynamic offensive threats, with 16 goals and 13 assists in 24 matches, earning him serious consideration to be league MVP.

They also boast the league’s best defense, allowing just 31 goals in 30 matches. Only three other clubs have allowed fewer than 40 goals.

It’s very possible Wednesday night is a preview of the Eastern Conference Final. Inter Miami and Columbus are the two best teams in points per match and they’ve already played two thrilling matches.

But with Messi being available Wednesday night, the dynamic changes entirely.

It’s the face of Major League Soccer vs. the most successful team of the 2020s.

While the nature of soccer never guarantees that there will be a winner, this is the kind of matchup that MLS hoped it could have when Messi came to Miami.

Something will have to give between the world-famous superstar and the dynamic team, even if the two sides split the points.

If nothing else, it’s a chance for the two sides to send a message for what December and the MLS playoffs may bring.

Match facts

Who: Inter Miami (19-4-8, 65 points) at Columbus Crew (16-5-9, 57 points).

When: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern.

Where: Lower.com Field, Columbus.

TV: FS1.

Best live streaming options: Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial), Sling (promotional offers) and MLS Season Pass.

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Miami, FL

Firefight at NW Miami-Dade warehouse enters 2nd day: ‘It burned it all up’

Published

9 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Firefight at NW Miami-Dade warehouse enters 2nd day: ‘It burned it all up’

Video shows bright orange flames still burning at a warehouse in Northwest Miami-Dade on Friday, almost 24 hours after crews first responded.

The flames broke out before 11 a.m. Thursday, sending towers of thick black smoke into the sky, and crews have been attempting to put the fire out since.

Officials said the structure located just east of Red Road and south of Florida’s Turnpike Extension is more than twice the size of a Costco warehouse and contains hazardous materials inside.

More than 200 firefighters from both Broward and Miami-Dade counties have been fighting the blaze, which officials say could burn for days.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Lives spared, livelihoods lost

Miami-Dade Deputy Fire Chief Danny Cardeso said no injuries were reported.

The driver of an 18-wheeler told NBC6 he was at the warehouse, which stores inventory for shipments, when the fire alarm went off.

He said everyone immediately evacuated, no one was hurt, and everyone inside was accounted for. Still, some workers and business owners fear they lost their livelihoods.

Benny Monción, who owns DBenny Sazón, one of the food trucks parked at the facility, was in tears when she spoke to NBC6 at the scene.

She said a friend of hers who also owns a food truck called to tell her how he fared.

“He called me just now, we were watching the news, and my truck was still intact, but his, the fire got it,” she said, her voice breaking as she put her head in her hand. “It burned it all up.”

She said she wasn’t sure what had happened to her truck, which normally operates on 50 North University Drive in Pembroke Pines, as the fire raged.

“I ask God that mine at least can be OK, but I feel so bad [that his didn’t make it], because these are hardworking people, looking to earn their daily living that in this country is too hard,” Monción said. “It’s so many things.”

Air quality concerns

A public safety alert was issued at one point Thursday due to the heavy smoke. The alert recommended those with respiratory problems and medical conditions to shelter in place if possible.

Dr. Donny Perez, a medical director at Memorial Regional Hospital South, said fires like this can send fine particles into the air that can irritate the lungs and cause coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, sore throat, chest pain and palpitations.

“Even their eyes can get irritated, the sore throat. So the best thing is to stay indoors with the windows closed, avoid outdoor exercise. Wear an N-95 mask if you must go outside. Use your rescue inhalers as prescribed if you do have lung disease,” he said.

Resident Gloria Downey said the smoke was concerning, especially with the uncertainty about what materials could be burning.

“I mean I don’t know what’s in that building, but I have lived here since before that building was built off and on, and God knows what’s in there,” she said. “We have the house completely sealed. We have air filters running in both rooms. The air condition is off. It’s a little hot in Miami, but we’ll be all right.”

Drought and wind may hinder firefight

Winds on Friday are blowing consistently at 10-20 mph toward the northwest, pushing the smoke over a nearby landfill and out over the Everglades.

“Just a couple of spotty little showers here, not enough to really help with the fire,” NBC6’s meteorologist Adam Berg said. “But the winds certainly don’t help.”

Traffic impacts

Officials asked people to avoid the area while they worked to put out the fire. Northwest 47th Avenue is closed between Honey Hill Drive (Northwest 199th Street) to Northwest 207th Drive.

Take Northwest 57th Avenue as an alternate route.

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Miami, FL

Miami Gardens mother gets probation after her 2-year-old shot himself

Published

21 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Miami Gardens mother gets probation after her 2-year-old shot himself

A mother in Miami Gardens has been sentenced to five years of probation after her 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a gun he found in her purse.

According to police, the incident happened last summer at an apartment complex in Miami Gardens. Authorities say the toddler grabbed his mother’s firearm from her purse and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the leg.

Video captured at the scene showed the child being rushed to the hospital on a stretcher. The boy survived and has since fully recovered.

The child’s mother, 35-year-old Christina Monique Doyle, was arrested and charged with child neglect and culpable negligence for allowing easy access to the weapon. Prosecutors said those charges carried a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

During a court hearing, the presiding judge, Alberto Milian, emphasized the responsibility that comes with gun ownership.

“I am a very pro-gun person, but along with the right and the privilege of having a gun comes responsibilities,” Milian said.

Doyle ultimately accepted a plea deal where she pleaded no contest, allowing her to avoid jail time. Instead, she was sentenced to five years of probation.

Her attorney, Dustin Tischler, said Doyle has no prior criminal record and described the incident as a mistake.

“She’s 35 years old, never been in trouble whatsoever in her life,” Tischler said. “She’s a very good mother, a very caring mother to several children. This has been a nightmare, and she’s happy to get it behind her.”

Tischler also said the case should serve as a warning to gun owners about keeping firearms secure around children.

“Even though she had it in her purse and thought it was secure, the child was able to get to it when she was distracted,” he said. “If you have a firearm, it’s important to keep it locked away.”

Tischler said Doyle has completed a parenting program through the Florida Department of Children and Families and how she is allowed to have contact with her children, including her son who is now doing well after recovering from the injury.

NBC6 reached out to DCF about the case but we haven’t heard back yet.

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Miami, FL

Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez delivers special tribute to former teacher on SNL

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez delivers special tribute to former teacher on SNL

Published: March 5, 2026 at 6:17 AM

Miami’s own pays tribute to former teacher on SNL Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.

NEW YORK CITY — Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.

During his performance, Hernandez definitely brought the character of “Mr. Fronzi” to life.

The over-the-top teacher with a big heart was a character inspired by his real-life theology teacher at Miami-Dade’s private Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Angie Fernandez.

And Hernandez even flew her up to New York City to see the skit live in person.

“When I saw the skit, I was flabbergasted. I laughed from here to eternity. It was so good,” Fernandez said. “I am so honored that he chose to imitate me. That’s the best compliment you can give somebody!”

Fernandez said that while Hernandez drove her crazy in her classroom, he was also always humble, honest and she calls him one of her favorite students.

Jenise Fernandez

Jenise Fernandez is a six-time Emmy award winning anchor and reporter at Local 10 News. Currently, she anchors the 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. news, Monday through Friday.

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