In a match that swung wildly from one end to the other, Inter Miami CF suffered a stunning 5-3 defeat to the Chicago Fire on Tuesday night at Chase Stadium. The loss, coming just days after a frustrating draw with Toronto FC, has dented Miami's hopes of securing the Supporters' Shield in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. Lionel Messi started and played a part in the chaos, but even his influence couldn't stem the tide as Chicago capitalized on defensive lapses to clinch their first playoff berth since 2017.
Chicago struck first through quick counters, with Hugo Cuypers netting twice in the opening half to put the visitors up 2-1. Inter Miami fought back momentarily, equalizing via a Messi assist to Luis Suárez, but the Fire's relentless pressure exposed Miami's fatigue from a grueling schedule. By the final whistle, Chicago had tallied five goals, including a late brace from homegrown talent Justin Reynolds, marking his first for the club. This victory boosts the Fire to 15 wins, 11 losses, and 6 draws, totaling 51 points and guaranteeing their spot in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
For Inter Miami, the result is a bitter pill. Sitting at 16 wins, 7 losses, and 8 draws for 56 points, they now trail conference leaders by a margin that's suddenly wider. Indeed, the Herons' defense, once a pillar under coach Tata Martino, has shown cracks in recent outings—conceding three or more goals in back-to-back games. Moreover, the overloaded season has taken its toll, with Messi and key players rotating less effectively than hoped. However, Miami still holds a strong position for postseason qualification, though the Shield now feels just out of reach.
The match wasn't without its drama; a disallowed goal for Chicago added to the tension, and Miami's fans left Chase Stadium in stunned silence. As the regular season winds down, Inter Miami must regroup quickly for upcoming fixtures. Yet, with playoffs looming, questions linger about whether this stumble signals deeper issues or just a momentary lapse in an otherwise dominant campaign.