{
  "id": 18833382,
  "title": "Columbus Crew earn playoff date with Leo Messi & Inter Miami",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/columbus-crew-earn-playoff-date-with-leo-messi-inter-miami",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-08T01:24:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/columbus-crew-earn-playoff-date-012400812.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Columbus Crew secured their playoff date against Inter Miami CF, led by Lionel Messi, on a dramatic final day of the season. In a 4-3 win against Chicago Fire FC, Brais Méndez scored a crucial 93rd-minute goal to give the Crew the lead. The Crew, currently No. 7 in the standings, will face the top-seeded Inter Miami in a best-of-three series. Inter Miami, boasting an A-List roster including Messi, Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Casemiro, will be a formidable opponent. However, the Columbus Crew remain optimistic about their chances, having defied odds all season long. They have the longest active winning streak in MLS, a six-game winning streak, and the belief that they can compete against any team. With key players like Méndez, Rodríguez, Tapia, and Moreira, Columbus is determined to give it their all in this highly anticipated playoff match.",
  "summary": "By Jaime UribarriForget Hell is Real. Bring on the defending champions.Seconds away from being drawn against Ohio rivals FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference Wild Card match, the Columbus Crew deli...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}