Chicago Fire and Inter Miami Draw Before Record Soldier Field Crowd
Chicago Fire and Inter Miami shared a 1-1 draw at Soldier Field on Wednesday, with 63,094 supporters setting a new Chicago home attendance mark for a match dominated by European pedigree and significant MLS stakes.
Robert Lewandowski put the Fire ahead after 10 minutes with an acrobatic finish, but Casemiro brought Miami level soon after the interval. Lionel Messi supplied the corner for the Brazilian’s headed equaliser.
Quick facts
- Result: Chicago Fire 1-1 Inter Miami at Soldier Field.
- Attendance: 63,094, a new Chicago Fire home-record crowd.
- Scorers: Robert Lewandowski, 10 minutes; Casemiro, second half.
- Messi registered his 13th assist of the season and has 18 league goals.
- Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady made six saves, including a stop from German Berterame.
The crowd exceeded the previous Fire attendance high, which had been established when Miami visited in the same fixture last season. Messi, Lewandowski and Casemiro were all involved in a competitive contest rather than a purely ceremonial occasion.
Lewandowski, formerly of Bayern Munich and Barcelona, gave Chicago an early advantage and the hosts defended it well through the first half. Brady was especially important in the 16th minute, diving to keep out Berterame.
Miami found their response after the break. Messi’s accurate set-piece delivery allowed Casemiro, the former Real Madrid midfielder, to rise above the defence and drive his header home.
The assist moved Messi to the top of MLS’s assist standings with 13 this campaign. Combined with his 18 goals, it also made him the first player in league history to reach at least 30 goal involvements in three different seasons.
Neither side was able to take full advantage of Nashville SC’s earlier defeat to Toronto FC. Miami remain second and are nine points behind Nashville ahead of Saturday’s meeting between the teams.
The Herons are attempting to become MLS’s first repeat champions since LA Galaxy retained the title in 2012. Chicago, currently fourth, can move above the New England Revolution into third when the clubs meet in their weekend head-to-head.
