Chicago Fire vs
Inter Miami
USA, MLS,
Round
Chicago Fire
1
-
1
Inter Miami
Commentary
90'
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comment
FULL-TIME: CHICAGO FIRE 1-1 INTER MIAMI
90'
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Messi attempts to drive a low free-kick underneath the wall, but Lewandowski and Dithejane get their boots to the ball while in the air, repelling the danger ahead of the penalty area.
90'
S
Substitution
Ahead of the Inter Miami free-kick, Chicago make a change and swap Saletros with Pineda.
90'
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comment
Saletros reaches out two arms to get a feel for Messi’s movement, but he pushes the Inter Miami captain over - giving the visitors a late chance to test Brady through a free-kick 30 yards from goal.
90'
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The fourth official indicates six minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.
88'
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comment
After a bit of pushing and shoving, both Fray and Lewandowski take turns hitting the deck inside Inter Miami’s 18-yard box, but the referee remains completely uninterested as he allows play to continue. The initial incident leads to a bit of a melee near the penalty spot after both Falcon and De Paul involve themselves, which forces Jair Marrufo to eventually come across and sort it out.
86'
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Zinckernagel sends his corner-kick straight into the hands of St. Clair, who steps off his goal-line to fight through the crowd and make a clean catch.
85'
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Dithejane again uses his pace to scare the defence, with the winger stretching his legs to beat Fray to Saletros’ leading pass, but the full-back recovers well to knock the ball behind desperately for a Chicago Fire corner-kick.
83'
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highlight
INCHES AWAY FROM THE WINNER! In a pocket of space inside the right channel, Zinckernagel winds up to send a shaped cross to the edge of the six-yard box, where Dithejane cranes his neck enthusiastically and fires a headed effort towards goal that rises just above the crossbar!
81'
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Barroso’s first-time delivery from the right is hooked away unorthodoxly by Fray, before Bright and Mura combine to close down D’Avilla after he had gathered the clearance and put the ball out of play for a throw.
80'
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De Paul’s pass through the lines and into the 18-yard box sits up well for Messi, who drops his shoulder to centre the ball across the face of goal, but Elliott marks the captain tightly and puts in a key block to intercept a connection with Suarez or Berterame.
78'
S
Substitution
Shaw is sent into the fray for the booked Segovia, as Guillermo Hoyos continues to shuffle his deck in search of a late winner.
78'
S
Substitution
Inter Miami’s first substitution of the contest comes with 12 minutes remaining and sees Mura take over from Caicedo at full-back.
76'
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comment
Dithejane bursts past Casemiro down the left, driving towards the byline before cutting a pass back to the arriving Soletros, but the midfielder isn’t able to sort out his feet two yards from goal as St. Clair dives at his legs to smother the ball.
74'
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A perfectly poised contest with just over a quarter-hour remaining, Chicago Fire are given the slight advantage in the Opta super computer win probability, with 28.4% chance of taking all three points. Inter Miami aren’t far behind with 26.9%, while a draw is unsurprisingly the most likely event given the current score (44.6%).
72'
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comment
Zinckernagel’s curled cross from a central position takes a heavy deflection off the chest of Casemiro, before landing comfortably in the arms of St. Clair.
71'
C
Yellow Card
Berterame goes over the ball with his challenge, catching the shin of D’Avilla with his studs. A similar challenge to the one the Chicago Fire midfielder put on Bright - which earned a booking - the Inter Miami forward will also receive a yellow card for the tackle.
69'
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comment
Oregel carries the ball through midfield before switching play out to the right for fellow substitute Barroso, but the recently introduced full-back can’t get his flat cross from the right past Casemiro, who turns the delivery away calmly.
67'
S
Substitution
It’s a double substitution for the hosts, who also protect the booked Dean and bring Barroso on in his stead.
67'
S
Substitution
Oregel is introduced for Haile-Selassie, with 23 minutes remaining in the contest.
65'
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Zinckernagel tries to pick out the head of Lewandowski with his outswinging corner-kick, but he finds another striker instead, as Suarez is well-placed to nod the ball away and clear his lines.
64'
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highlight
CHANCE! Saletros uses his left foot to guide his set-piece delivery to the edge of the six-yard box, where an unmarked Elliot glances the ball on with his back to goal, but it fails to come down and lands instead on the roof of the net!
63'
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Segovia gives Saletros a shove in the back with his forearm, sending the midfielder over on the right corner of the penalty area. It’s a free-kick for the hosts, who haven’t tested St. Clair since the first half.
61'
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comment
There is some concern for Bright, who has not been able to get to his feet since the challenge. The studs of D’Avilla caught him square on the top of the foot, which left him in immediate discomfort.
59'
C
Yellow Card
D’Avilla is late into his challenge on Bright in midfield, failing to come close to the ball while catching his opponent on the shin. It’s a yellow card for the Chicago Fire player, while the medical staff is on the pitch to tend to the injured party who remains on the ground in some pain.
58'
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Dean cuts inside from the right before poking a pass through the lines and into the penalty area with his toes for Zinckernagel, who pushes Segovia over in an attempt to get there first. With both players on the ground, the referee gives the decision the way of the visitors, who get a chance to clear their lines from a free-kick.
56'
S
Substitution
On the back foot, Chicago Fire make a change looking to wrestle the momentum from Inter Miami. Lod is the man to make way, with Dithejane given a chance to make an impact.
55'
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comment
Fray drives a low, inviting cross across the face of goal towards the back post for Berterame, who is beaten to the service by a diving Dean to make a definitive clearance.
53'
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Inter Miami have lost only one of five meetings with Chicago Fire since the start of the 2024 season (three wins and one draw), including a 3–2 victory win on July 22. The Herons have avoided defeat in each of their last two visits to Chicago, winning in August 2024 and drawing in April 2025.
51'
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Messi’s corner-kick receives a glancing touch that takes the ball to the edge of the 18-yard box for De Paul, who settles it before hitting a strike that Brady manages to take the sting out of initially before making the grab on the bounce.
51'
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comment
Messi wraps his low free-kick effort around the base of the wall, but Brady is equal to it as he gets down low to push the ball behind for a corner.
50'
C
Yellow Card
Dean scythes Berterame down from behind in an effort to prevent the forward from getting into the 18-yard box, which gives Inter Miami a free-kick 30 yards from goal and earns the full-back a yellow card.
48'
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Goal 1-1
INTER MIAMI LEVEL THE SCORE! 1-1! Allen’s tackle inside the six-yard box prevents Berterame from scoring a tap-in following Brady’s diving save on Messi, but the visitors make the most of the ensuing set-piece, as Messi’s outswinging corner-kick finds the head of a leaping Casemiro, who loops his nodded effort over the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper while falling backwards!
48'
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Assist
Messi’s assist for Casemiro is his league-leading 11th of the season, which is one more than FC Cincinnati’s Evander and San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer.
46'
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Chicago Fire get the match restarted from the kick-off!
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In desperate need of three points to stay in with any chance of winning the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami will need to continue piling on the pressure in the second half, while moving the ball slightly quicker to cut through Chicago’s organised defence. Pinter has been a useful substitute in attack and could replace the tired legs of Suarez, while Plambeck may be able to provide a bit of creativity in wide areas. Chicago Fire will need to muster more of a threat on the counter-attack to keep the Herons from overrunning their half of the pitch, which could require the introduction of Dithejane to stretch the field on the counter. Poreba or Pineda may also be useful additions in midfield, as Gregg Berhalter will look to solidify the middle of the park as the game wears on - further limiting space for Messi to create.
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half_time summary
Lewandowski’s sixth goal of the season gives Chicago Fire a slender lead over Inter Miami at the break at Soldier Field, but it’s been a case of hold what you have for the hosts - who were unable to maintain their early momentum. Gutman’s lovely work to get past Fray down the left put him in position to dig out a cross for Lewandowski, whose expert finish gave the Fire a 10th-minute lead, but Inter Miami immediately turned the tides in search of an equaliser. Chances for Messi and Berterame amongst others looked enough to level the scores ahead of the interval, with the visitors outperforming their opponents on xG (0.46 to 0.38), but they ran into an inspired Brady in the first half, with the goalkeeper making three crucial saves to keep his side ahead.
45'
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HALF-TIME: CHICAGO FIRE 1-0 INTER MIAMI
45'
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The fourth official indicates one minute will be added to the end of the half for stoppages.
45'
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Given the time and space to think about his options 30 yards from goal, Berterame turns on the ball to fire a powerful effort that’s pushed away desperately by Brady - but not far as Suarez is there on the follow up. In an attempt to either centre the ball or lift a finish into the far corner, the veteran striker sends it across but he’s also foiled by the goalkeeper, who slaps it away before collecting at the second attempt.
43'
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Despite holding both the lead on the scoreline and in xG (0.38 to 0.35), Chicago Fire have not had a shot since Lewandowski’s goal in the 10th minute - which was their third of the match. It’s been over a half-hour since then, with Inter Miami hitting the last seven efforts (two on target).
41'
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BRADY TO THE RESCUE! Messi slaloms through the heart of midfield, skipping past both Saletros and D’Avilla before whacking a shot towards the far post that forces Brady into a full-stretch dive across his line to push it away with fingertips!
39'
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De Paul gets his boot under the ball to clip a high pass forward towards the byline, but his errant pass fails to give Suarez a chance to prevent a goal-kick.
37'
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Messi strikes his left-footed free-kick just to the left of centre from 25 yards away towards goal, but it’s blocked by the wall, with Lewandowski getting the telling touch to protect Brady.
36'
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Messi’s latest inswinging corner-kick is punched away by Brady, but only as far as De Paul, whose first-time volley from the edge of the area is blocked from close range by Lod. The deflection gives Zinckernagel a chance to take possession the other way, but a clumsy handball stops the play in its tracks and gives Inter Miami a free-kick in a good position.
34'
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Lewandowski has contributed to five goals in his last three games including tonight, adding a third strike tonight to his two assists.
32'
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Zinckernagel spins to receive Saletros’ pass towards the edge of the 18-yard box, but he’s denied the opportunity to shoot by Caicedo, who times his sliding challenge perfectly.
30'
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Caicedo crashes through the back of Zinckernagel, leaving the winger on the ground after a painful-looking challenge, but the full-back immediately points to De Paul - who was left on the pitch after an apparent arm to the face during a battle with D’Avilla. It’s getting a bit feisty at Soldier Field, as Jair Marrufo comes across to diffuse the situation without brandishing a card.
28'
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Casemiro again attempts to pull the strings from deep, this time sending an aerial ball out to the left in search of Suarez, but he gets his accuracy wrong this time and sends his pass straight into the arms of the awaiting Brady.
26'
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St. Clair comes off his line aggressively to meet Zinckernagel’s ensuing free-kick delivery, palming away the danger just outside his six-yard box.
24'
C
Yellow Card
After holding up play to wait for his team-mates to arrive, Lewandowski chops inside but he’s sent to the ground in a heap by Falcon, who leaves his leg out to catch the striker cynically. No stranger to a booking, it’s a yellow card for the Inter Miami centre-back, with six minutes to go until the half-hour mark.
23'
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Bright’s well-timed step takes the ball away from Haile-Selassie cleanly just ahead of Chicago’s penalty area, with the midfielder immediately looking to bring Messi into play. In position to shoot, the captain rushes a low effort towards the goalkeeper’s right-hand post that fails to trouble him on his goal-line.
21'
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Messi greets Segovia’s pass towards the middle of the pitch 25 yards from goal looking to chip a pass over the defensive line for Suarez, but Elliott gets in the way and hooks a volley clear.
19'
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Segovia’s incisive ball into the 18-yard box finds the feet of Messi, who cuts back twice in front of as many as three converging defenders to fire a near-post shot with his weaker right foot that sails disappointingly high and wide of the target.
18'
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Messi takes charge of Inter Miami’s first corner-kick of the contest, but his low, skipping inswinger is whacked away at the outset by Haile-Selassie.
16'
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highlight
WHAT A SAVE! Casemiro launches a first-time ball over the top of Chicago Fire’s defence from deep in his own half for the run of Berterame, who gets there before Allen and teases a low strike to the far post with his first touch - but he’s denied by the fingertips of the goalkeeper!
15'
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Zinckernagel looks to drop his shoulder and ease past Bright on his way through midfield, but after getting by his man he’s immediately met with Casemiro, who easily dispossesses the winger 20 yards from his own goal.
14'
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Inter Miami have won just three of a possible 10 matches when conceding first, picking up 13 of a possible 30 points from that position. Chicago Fire, meanwhile, have won nine times when opening the scoring - in 16 opportunities.
12'
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Segovia works a one-two pass with Suarez on the edge of the area before using the outside of his left boot to push the ball forward for the overlapping Caicedo. With options to aim at inside the area, the full-back instead has a go at the near post, drawing a kick-save from Brady, before a belated offside whistle ends the move and gives Chicago a free-kick.
10'
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Assist
Gutman’s fourth assist of the campaign puts Lewandowski in position to find the back of the net for the sixth time in MLS.
10'
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Goal 1-0
AN EARLY LEAD FOR THE HOSTS! 1-0 CHICAGO FIRE! With the ball at his feet, Gutman runs back towards his own half to shake off Fray before cutting back with intent to earn space ahead of his opponent. With a heavy first touch, the full-back pushes into the pocket inside the left channel and whips an inch-perfect delivery to Lewandowski, whose side-footed volley leaves St. Clair with no chance!
8'
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highlight
WHAT A CHANCE! Taking up a wide position on the right, Saletros tracks down Dean’s ball over the top before squaring it to the edge of the area for Lewandowski. With impressive awareness, the striker runs over it, leaving it for Lod while faking a shot in the process, but his first-time effort misses the target from just inside the 18-yard box!
6'
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comment
Lewandowski is pushed over from behind by Segovia, in a similar position to the striker’s earlier impeded free-kick. The Inter Miami midfielder will need to tread lightly given his booking just four minutes into the game, or risk giving referee Jair Marrufo a decision to make.
4'
C
Yellow Card
Lewandowski looks to take a quick free-kick inside his own half, but he’s prevented from doing so by Segovia, who picks up an early yellow card for failing to give his opponent the requisite space.
3'
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highlight
BLOCKED! A nifty give-and-go down the right flank between Saletros and Dean puts Zinckernagel in position to slide a pass across the penalty area for Haile-Selassie, who takes a touch before attempting to curl a shot from 12 yards out that’s blocked ahead of St. Clair by Casemiro!
1'
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comment
Inter Miami get the match under way from the kick-off!
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team news
Inter Miami name an unchanged XI from the team that tied 2-2 with Philadelphia Union four days ago. St. Clair starts in goal behind a back four of Caicedo, Falcon, Casemiro and Fray. Segovia and De Paul line up either side of Bright in midfield, while Suarez and Berterame play in support of Messi in attack.
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team news
Chicago Fire make two alterations from their eventful 4-4 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday. Allen gets a first start for his new side at centre-back against his parent-club, dropping Rogers to the bench, while Lod is preferred to Dithejane on the left wing.
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INTER MIAMI SUBS: Facundo Mura, David Ayala, Rocco Rios Novo, Lovend’s Delinois, Daniel Pinter, Preston Plambeck, Daniel Sumalla, Cesar Abadia-Reda, Alexander Shaw.
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INTER MIAMI XI (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair; Fricio Caicedo, Maximiliano Falcon, Casemiro, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, German Berterame.
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CHICAGO FIRE SUBS: Leonardo Barroso, Sam Rogers, Puso Dithejane, Johan Gomez, Mauricio Pineda, Dawid Poreba, Sergio Oregel, Robert Turdean, Josh Cohen.
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CHICAGO FIRE XI (4-3-3): Chris Brady; Andrew Gutman, Noah Allen, Jack Elliott, Jonathan Dean; Robin Lod, Dje D'Avilla, Anton Saletros; Maren Haile-Selassie, Robert Lewandowski, Philip Zinckernagel.
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comment
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides are lining up – starting with our hosts!
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comment
Delayed by inclement weather on the weekend, Inter Miami waited an extra 90 minutes before kicking off their match against Philadelphia Union; a game that ended 2-2 courtesy of Breel Embolo’s late penalty on his debut for the Union. The result keeps the Herons 10 points back of Nashville SC in both the Eastern Conference and the race for the Supporter’s Shield, while a third loss in six domestic fixtures could invite the chasing pack to narrow the gap.
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comment
Third-placed Chicago Fire welcome an Inter Miami side sitting in second spot to Soldier Field, looking to cut the gap between the pair to just two points with 11 matches to go in the campaign. Having played one fewer match than their opponents tonight, Gregg Berhalter’s team could have had the opportunity to overtake the Herons with a second win in three meetings, but a lively game against Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday left the Fire with a single point, after a stoppage-time goal levelled the scores late at 4-4.
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Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the MLS fixture between Chicago Fire and Inter Miami!
Key Players
1
Interceptions
0
Tackles
Andrew Gutman
90 Min
4
Interceptions
0
Tackles
Casemiro
90 Min
Actual Play Time - #56:20
O
Opta
Actual 56:20
Total 97:34
Team Members
Chicago Fire
24 players
Berhalter
#-1
Brady
#1
L. Barroso
#2
Elliott
#3
Mbokazi
#4
Rogers
#5
Saletros
#6
Haile-Selassie
#7
Lewandowski
#9
Franco
#10
Zinckernagel
#11
Dithejane
#12
Gutman
#15
Lod
#17
J. Gómez
#18
Bamba
#19
Pineda
#22
Dean
#24
Poręba
#29
Allen
#32
Oregel
#35
Turdean
#37
Davilla
#42
Cohen
#44
Inter Miami
26 players
Hoyos
#-1
Lujan
#2
Reguilon
#3
Mura
#4
Casemiro
#5
De Paul
#7
Segovia
#8
Suarez
#9
Messi
#10
Caicedo
#15
Micael
#16
Fray
#17
Berterame
#19
Allende
#21
Ayala
#22
Ríos
#34
Falcón
#37
Bright
#42
Delinois
#54
Pintér
#56
Plambeck
#59
Sumalla
#70
Abadia-Reda
#76
Morales
#81
Shaw
#88
Dayne
#97