Josef Martinez Magic Gives Inter Miami The 2-2 Draw With Columbus Crew

DRV PNK Stadium –  A spectacular Josef Martinez bicycle kick in the 90′ minute gave Inter Miami CF a draw versus Columbus Crew on Tuesday night. Leo Campana tied the game at 1-1 with a soaring header off a Robert Taylor corner-kick, and he also assisted on Josef’s goal, while Darlington Nagbe and Christian Ramirez scored for the Crew.

Kick Off

Leonardo Campana was inserted into the Starting XI by Interim Coach Javi Morales replacing Josef Martinez as the striker in the lineup. Rodolfo Pizarro along with Nico Stefanelli took on the role of “creators” in the midfield, with Dixon Arroyo and David Ruiz as the double-pivots. Robert Taylor and Benjamin Cremaschi played as wing-backs with Noah Allen, Sergeii Kryvtsov, and Ian Fray forming the backline.

Starting XI has Campana 🔔 get the start over Josef Martinez…Pizarro & Stefanelli should provide some flair & possession in the midfield… pic.twitter.com/5XkfQOSR5g

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 5, 2023

The first 20′ minutes of play had Inter Miami control ball possession and go toe-to-toe with Columbus, one of the better teams in the league.  It all changed with a dazzling Darlington Nagbe volley in the 23′ minute that put the Crew up 1-0. Miami felt the blow and lost momentum with Columbus nearly doubling their lead in the 36′ minute via Mohamed Farsi, but a bad first touch by the Crew defender allowed Drake Callender and the Heron defense to clear the ball.

Nagby with the volley beauty to give the Crew the 1-0 lead 23’ minute…#InterMiamiCF #MLS #Messi𓃵
pic.twitter.com/l8CHHadn8P

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 5, 2023

Columbus went into the half with a 1-0 lead.

The second half began with a banger as Leonardo Campana soared to hammer in a Robert Taylor corner-kick cross into the Columbus net at the 57′ minute.

Campapi with the header !!!🔔 Aerial assault by #InterMiamiCF  for the 1-1 equalizer…#MLS #Messi𓃵

pic.twitter.com/va4Llh1xlA

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 5, 2023

The tie did not last long as Christian Ramirez slid home a Cucho Hernadez pass at the 69′ minute. The Heron defense lost track of Ramirez on the back end and he made them pay, making it 2-1 Crew.

Cucho dishes and Christian slams it home 👊@CuchoHernandez ✘ @Chris_Ramirez17 pic.twitter.com/2dIVQwwzo6

— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) July 5, 2023

Just when another loss seemed in the books for Inter Miami, Josef Martinez, and Leo Campana teamed up for a mesmerizing Golazo! Ian Fray served a silky pass into the box to a cutting Campana who controlled the ball, turned, and flicked a heavenly pass to Martinez. Josef elevated striking the ball with an acrobatic volley that set the Columbus goal on fire and sent the fans at DRV PNK into mass hysteria! The King saved his kingdom and saved a point for Miami.

El Rey 👑!!! Josef Martínez with the fútbol acrobatics !! A goal worthy of a King 2-2 ….#InterMiamiCF  #MLS #Messi𓃵

pic.twitter.com/SCzTrniLUu

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 5, 2023

The match would end with a 2-2 draw, with Josef’s Golazo sending the fans home in a festive mood.

Postgame Press Conference

Javier Morales was asked about what went into his decision to start Leo Campana on Saturday night instead of Josef Martinez who had been starting the past games.

Josef played 90′ minutes on Saturday and Leo was fresh, so that was the reason that we decided to put Leo.

Simple explanation, not much more is needed than that. Fans have been clamoring for Campana and they got him. Leo ended the night with a goal and an assist, but not before Morales leaned into him at the half.

Leo, I think in the first half was a little bit casual, and we had a conversation at halftime…and I think the second half was much better and he played a great game.

Leo is still a young player, but he is one of the key players on this team and cannot afford any “casual” moments on the pitch. The effort and intensity have to always be there if he expects to one day make his way back to Europe if that is his desire.

The Coach also talked about the gameplan for Inter Miami against every team that they face at DRV PNK Stadium,

We’re going to push, we’re going to fight, and we’re going to go for the win.

It’s exciting for the fans to hear this from Javier, and undoubtedly with the arrival of “Messi & Friends” this is what is expected. It’s not only expected, it’s necessary because of the hole Miami has dug for itself with the terrible results so far in this campaign. Miami needs to win, they need to win playing attractive fútbol, and win lots of games moving forward. It’s not out of reach or impossible, but it will be difficult.

Final Thoughts

Tata is already here, Messi, Busquets, and Alba are on the way, with perhaps a surprise or two added in. Miami’s wretched season can turn into an enchanted one, making their team and the MLS a must-see globally. The eyes of the fútbol world are going to be on Inter Miami CF, now we will see which players that are already on the squad are ready for the immense spotlight that follows Messi.

The GOAT is coming to Miami! Lionel Messi will really be a part of the Miami sports landscape, and it can’t happen soon enough. Despite knowing that this will happen for a while it still won’t feel real until the moment he dribbles past several defenders and scores his first goal for Inter Miami CF.

If the boys can manage another tie or get a long-awaited win before the reinforcements come in, it would go a long way in fueling the hope that the season can be saved.

Chris Henderson and Inter Miami CF are trying to correct the wrongs that have plagued this organization for the first three seasons and finally deliver on the promise of having a star-studded winning team. Lionel Messi along with the other quality players being brought in should be the moves that help this team finally rise.