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The most hyped and anticipated game of the season, it’s Inter Miami making their way into Chicago. Yes, Messi is playing and in the lineup for the 62,000 plus record crowd at Soldier Field on a Sunday afternoon.
Inter took immediate control of possession. Early rocket shot from Messi with Chris Brady skying high to knock it away. Fire playing a counter game, which looks like a smart call to start out the game.
After an initial lockup by the Fire defense, opportunities started coming. Problem being the Fire timing seems off. Crossed out of range. Passes, a second too late or early.
The Fire counters started paying off, where Mauricio Pineda got a look at the ball from the top of the box and fires a missile at Miami goalie who dives and knocks it out. This wasn’t the only opportunity the Fire had in the first half, Brian Gutierrez intercepted a ball in midfield and streaked down the pitch into the box, but couldn’t finish.
The moment of hesitation was a potential sign of the lack of rhythm he’s currently in due to the injury and international call-up. I don’t expect him to regain his full form the more he gets to be on the pitch and off the sideline.
Luis Suarez had a golden opportunity to give Miami the lead on the final play of the first half when he had a clear look on goal, but he airmailed the shot way over the goal to end the half.
Fire held it down and playing solid ball, frustrating Miami. On the other hand, Miami looking a step slow and a bit lackluster. Those extra games catching up with them. They basically have been playing two games a week in the international competitions. Fire have a good chance to steal a point.
The Fire started off the half with a great chance at a goal by Philip Zinckernagel, but he lifted a weak shot right at the goalie, easy save.
The Fire continued the aggressive play in the second half. Several serious chances on goal. They were finding openings in the Miami defense, which was a lot more compact in the first half. Quiet first half and most of the second for Leo Messi, who was being locked-down by Andrew Gutman, who was having himself a career performance against one of the GOATS.
But you can’t hold down a legend forever, Messi wasn’t creating, but he did have two ridiculous free kicks. The first one he twisted it in the windy lakefront air and hit the corner top of the back post. Drawing gasps and reactions from a disappointed fanbase.
The Fire held down and kept a surging Miami from scoring. The Fire, get a point, but considering it’s against Miami and with Messi playing, you take it. Scoreless draws are usually duds, but this game was exciting. The fans got to finally see Messi in Chicago, so I’d assume the crowd went home happy.
What an experience for the organization to have the biggest crowd ever for a Fire game. The atmosphere was electric. Fire looked like they belonged and were on the level of Miami on this day. Let’s hope they can take this momentum and move it forward.
NEXT MATCH:
Chicago will come back to Soldier Field for an Eastern Conference clash against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, April 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and the match will be broadcast globally on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Notes:
- The match saw the largest crowd in Chicago Fire FC history, with 62,358 in attendance at Soldier Field on Sunday. The sellout beat the Fire’s previous record, in which 62,124 were on hand to see Chicago beat Miami 4-1 on October 4, 2023.
- Chris Brady posted his first clean sheet of the season on Sunday. The Homegrown goalkeeper recorded three saves in the affair, shutting out Miami for the first time in League play this year.
- In his second start of the season, Omari Glasgow played the full 90 minutes as a right back in place of Leonardo Barroso (lower body). The Guyanese winger defended well, shutting out Miami’s left side of the attack, and combined well in the attack with the front three.
- After missing the last match due to injury, defender Jack Elliott returned to the lineup to play 90 minutes of shutout defensive soccer alongside center back Carlos Terán.
- New acquisition Dje D’Avilla made his MLS and Fire debut on Sunday, checking into the match in the 80th minute for midfielder Mauricio Pineda.
- Beside Barroso, defenders Sam Rogers (Lower Body), Jonathan Dean (Torso) and Chase Gasper (Lower Body); and midfielders David Poreba (Lower Body) and Chris Mueller (Not Due to Injury) were unavailable for Chicago.
[…] the big game’s finished and Lionel Messi has entertained yet another packed-out stadium,many fans of the beautiful game carry on their feast […]