In a chaotic midweek clash at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami CF suffered a stunning 5-3 defeat to the Chicago Fire on Tuesday night, handing the visitors a crucial playoff berth. The match, postponed earlier due to weather, unfolded with relentless action, as Chicago's opportunistic attack overwhelmed Miami's defense in a game that exposed the hosts' vulnerabilities.
Lionel Messi started for Inter Miami, threading passes that briefly sparked hope, but the team couldn't capitalize. Chicago struck first through a quick counter, then piled on with goals from Hugo Cuypers and others, including a standout strike from homegrown defender Justin Reynolds. Miami fought back with strikes from Messi and Luis Suárez, yet defensive lapses—three goals conceded in the second half alone—sealed their fate. It was a disheartening result for a side that's dominated much of the season.
Heading into this matchup, Inter Miami sat atop the Eastern Conference with 16 wins, 6 losses, and 8 draws, amassing 56 points and eyeing a Supporters' Shield repeat. However, this loss drops them to 16-7-8, still leading but now with just four games left to secure the top seed. Chicago, meanwhile, improved to 15-11-6 and 51 points, clinching their first postseason spot since 2017. The Fire's resilience on the road was impressive, turning what could have been a routine win for Miami into a statement victory.
Indeed, the fatigue from an overloaded schedule seemed to catch up with Inter Miami, as coach Tata Martino rotated minimally despite the packed calendar. Messi's influence remains undeniable—he assisted one goal and scored another—but the team's reliance on star power faltered against Chicago's high press. Moreover, questions linger about the backline's consistency, which has been a sore point in recent draws and now this outright loss.
However, with playoffs looming, Inter Miami's talent could still carry them far. As the regular season hurtles toward its close, one wonders if this setback will galvanize the Herons or hint at deeper troubles ahead.