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Miami Without Messi No Problem, Miami Win at Soldier Field

Chicago Fire hosted Inter Miami on a hot afternoon at Soldier Field, but Miami without Messi no problem, Miami won at Soldier Field. A 4-1 victory against the Fire with the first goal coming from an own goal after a good combination from forward Luis Suarez and midfielder Julian Greseel in the 25th minute gave the win to Miami. The other two came from a double by Luis Suarez in the 46th and 65th. The consolation goal for the Fire came in the 82nd minute from forward Georgios “Koutsie” Koutsias with an assist from midfielder Kellyn Acosta, then the 4-1 coming in the final minutes by forward Robert Taylor assisted by fellow forward Leonardo Campana. 

The Chicago Fire returned to home-field action after a 3-1 loss at home against Toluca in the Leagues Cup and their return to MLS with a 2-2 draw away from home against New York City FC. Inter Miami came into this matchup in good form with four games undefeated in MLS play, but entered the game with an inconsistent overall record winning only two of their last four games. Miami’s previous match ended in a 2-0 win at home against FC Cincinnati. 

The last time these two teams matched up was earlier in the season on Saturday, July 20th when Miami was victorious at home 2-1. The goalscorer of that match for Miami was Matias Rojas and Jordi Alba while for the Fire it was Rafael Czichos. 

The Chicago Fire looked for a different result when playing in front of their fans, but Miami without Messi was able to find a way to win the game once again.

Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas spoke post-game during the press conference on his thoughts on the overall game and why the match disappeared after the good opening minutes.

“I think that for me when you look at the score, it paints a different picture of the game that was played on the pitch. We came out in the first 25 minutes. I felt we were very good. We had opportunities. We didn’t get the goal. We got a little bit unlucky on that first goal. We knew it. They played a little combination play and, were unlucky with the ball going in. We talked about a couple of things: how to build up with the ball and how to build pressure a little bit more. And then, I think when you play a team that has quality like them, you have to live with your mistakes. And I think that’s, for me, what cost us. A few individual mistakes that they converted and then, when you’re down 3-0, you push the game. We got the first goal. You take more risks to get back into the game. The crowd got into it and we gave up the fourth goal. It happens in games. You make mistakes and the other team takes advantage of that. So, we move forward. This game is behind us. Seven games left and we keep going to the end.”

Chicago Fire Opened the Half Strong, and Miami Took Advantage of the Chance and Led 1-0

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, where the Fire opened strong, applying the pressure early on with intensity and producing an early 2nd-minute dangerous cross from midfielder Haile-Selassie that almost ended with a shot on goal. In the 6th minute, Fire also had a dangerous moment with forward Hugo Cuypers who dribbled past a defender to pass for midfielder Gaston Gimenez who had another shot on goal. After the first ten minutes, the momentum then shifted to Miami and the game became more tighter. In the 13th minute a good play from Miami had a shot from midfielder Diego Gomez ricochet and almost pass Fire goalkeeper Brady but it ended up being saved. The game remained tight until Miami took advantage of their chance, and in the 25th minute, a good combination from forward Luis Suarez and midfielder Julian Greseel led to a shot on goal from Suarez that ricocheted off a defender and went in as an own-goal.

Miami Continued to Run Riot, Fire Couldn’t Take Their Chance

The second half was nothing more than a night for Miami, as they continued to run riot. Miami opened the second half right away with a goal in the 46th minute making it 2-0, courtesy of “El Pistolero,” Suarez with the assist from Gomez. Miami then continued to mount pressure with a cross from defender Jordi Alba to a header from Suarez that Brady was able to save. Miami then produced a through ball by defender Yannick Bright to Suarez who is one on one against Brady but scuffs the opportunity. Miami then made it 3-0 at the 65th after the Barcelona connection between Alba and Suarez that led to the forwards’ second. The Fire were able to get one back and make it 3-1, in the 82nd from Koutsie with the assist from Kellyn Acosta, but the goal just served as a consolation goal with the game ending in a rout for Miami. The fourth and final goal served as an exclamation point for the night of Miami coming from Taylor assisted by Campana to finish the match with the scoreline of 4-1. 

Inter Miami Julian Greseel spoke post-game on Suarez’s performance during the match and what it means having him with Miami

“It means so much, the stuff he creates for us and the stuff he puts away for us is incredible. He scored two goals in the last game as well, so a different quality when he’s on like that and it makes a big difference when you have game-changers like him.”

What’s Next?

Inter Miami will look to continue their MLS unbeaten run as they face Philadelphia Union away from home at Chase Stadium on Saturday, September 14th at 6:30 p.m. central time.

Chicago Fire will look to end their inconsistent run of form as they go head to head against DC United on Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m. central time. 

Photo by Francisco Avila (Featured in photo: Chicago Fire Head Coach Frank Klopas)

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