Diego Rossi’s two second-half goals launched the reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew over defending champion Inter Miami 3-2 to reach the Leagues Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The Uruguayan forward lifted the host Crew level in the 69th minute and netted the decider in the 80th to dethrone Miami, this season’s overall MLS season leader.
Miami star Lionel Messi did not play, as he was still sidelined with a right ankle injury suffered a month ago in Argentina’s Copa America final win over Colombia.
With the victory, the Crew will play host to a Saturday quarterfinal against New York City, which won 2-1 over Tigres.
Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute and compatriot Diego Gomez doubled the margin with a goal in the 62nd before striker Christian Ramirez answered for the Crew in the 67th, setting the stage for Rossi’s winning brace.
The tournament features MLS and Liga MX Mexican teams, with Messi leading Miami to last year’s inaugural crown shortly after arriving in Florida.
New York City rallied to reach the last eight.
Argentine midfielder Guido Pizarro, the Tigres captain, opened the scoring with a header in the 18th minute but New York City netted the equalizer in the 20th through another Argentine midfielder, Maxi Moralez.
Uruguayan Santiago Rodriguez scored the final goal in the 65th minute from the left side on a left-footed shot inside the far post to give NYCFC the victory.
In Cincinnati, Tai Baribo’s two goals lifted the Philadelphia Union to a 4-2 triumph over the host, FC Cincinnati.
Philadelphia grabbed a 2-0 lead on goals by Danish forward Mikael Uhre in the 51st minute and Israeli striker Baribo in the 61st.
Czech midfielder Pavel Bucha answered for Cincinnati in the 66th minute and American defender DeAndre Yedlin netted an equalizer for the hosts in the 80th minute.
The Union responded on goals by Baribo in the 82nd and substitute Quinn Sullivan in the 84th.
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