Messi assisted on Tadeo Allende's goal in the 13th minute, and scored a goal in the 15th minute against Columbus backup goalie Nicholas Hagen. He scored his second goal in the 24th minute, marking his second straight match with a brace, giving Inter Miami a 3-0 lead.

The Crew plays a possession-style attack, as does Miami, and is getting adjusted to playing without Cucho Hernandez, who left for Spanish club Real Betis. Daniel Gazdag, a designated player who joined Columbus from Philadelphia, remains scoreless through his first eight games with the Crew and has no assists.

In a matchup billed as a clash between two of the Eastern Conference's best, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami made it a one-sided affair, cruising to a 5-1 win over the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium Saturday night.