Inter Miami Defending Champs Ousted by Crew in Leagues Cup without Lionel Messi

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In a thrilling match on Tuesday, Diego Rossi's two second-half goals propelled the Columbus Crew to a 3-2 victory over Inter Miami, securing their spot in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals. The Uruguayan striker equalized for the Crew in the 69th minute before scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute, ending Miami's reign as the defending champions and current MLS season leaders. Unfortunately for Miami, their star player Lionel Messi was unable to take the field due to a lingering right ankle injury sustained during Argentina's Copa America final against Colombia a month ago. Despite Messi's absence, Rossi's heroics were enough to secure the Crew's victory and advance them to the next stage of the competition.

With the victory, the Crew will play host to a Saturday quarter-final against New York City, who 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 US 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 sides, 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 hosts.

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 US defender DeAndre Yedlin netted an equalizer for the hosts in the 80th minute.

The Union responded on goals by Baribo in the 82nd and US substitute Quinn Sullivan in the 84th.

Mazatlan advances

Next up for Philadelphia will be a home quarter-final on Saturday against Mazatlan, which defeated Cruz Azul on penalties after playing to a 2-2 draw in Washington.

Mazatlan grabbed a 2-0 half-time lead on goals by Bryan Colula in the 40th minute and Panamanian midfielder Edgar Barcenas in the first minute of stoppage time.

Cruz Azul fell to 10 men in the fourth minute of the second half when Argentine defender Gonzalo Piovi was shown a red card.

Cruz Azul, however, was far from done as Uriel Antuna scored in the 84th minute and Colombia defender Willer Ditta added an equalizer in the opening seconds of stoppage time.

In penalties, Antuna, Ditta and Giorgos Giakoumakis failed to convert and Mazatlan won 3-1 to advance.

In later quarter-finals on Tuesday, Toluca was at Colorado with the winner set to face Mexican champions Club America or St. Louis in the quarter-finals.

San Jose was also at Los Angeles FC with the winner set to visit Seattle on Saturday.

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All-time French goals leader Olivier Giroud is available for LAFC for the first time since the 37-year-old striker's move from AC Milan in May.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)