Soldier Field- Inter Miami, led by a Luis Suarez brace dominated the Chicago Fire Saturday night in a 1-4 win on the road. Robert Taylor and a Fire own-goal by Tobias Salquist rounded out the scoring for Miami. Georgios Koutsias scored Chicago’s only goal late in the match to prevent a clean sheet for Drake Callender.
Starting XI
Tata Martino opted for the 3-4-3 formation for the Herons with Drake Callender in goal and David Martinez, Sergio Busquets, and Ian Fray as the center-backs. The midfield four were Jordi Alba, Yannick Bright, Fernando Redondo, and Marcelo Weigandt. Diego Gomez, Luis Suarez, and Julian Gressel were the frontline trio.
Ian Fray makes the Starting XI replacing the suspended Tomas Avilés, golden opportunity for Fray to make his case for the RCB position for #InterMiamiCF …Gressel is back in & should play close to Suarez…#MLS #ChivMiami pic.twitter.com/x24pHEG8PO
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) August 31, 2024
Game Action
The Chicago Fire started the match on the right foot, pressuring Miami on the ball and controlling possession early. Inter Miami slowly settled into the game and after a quick sequence of touches, Luis Suarez had a missile blocked by the Fire goalie with the ball subsequently hitting Tobias Salquist’s chest and rolling in for an own-goal.
After a nice sequence of quick touches, a Luis Suarez cannon is blocked by the Chicago keeper & into a defender for the own goal … #InterMiamiCF leads 0-1…#MLS #CHIvsMIA
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 1, 2024
The Herons dominated the rest of the action until halftime but could not extend their lead and went into the half leading 0-1.
The Herons lead 0-1 at the half…#InterMiamiCF is cruising along in Chi-Town, but they need to finish this game in the second half with a couple more goals ⚽️… pic.twitter.com/AI0bJdNl9y
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 1, 2024
Luis Suarez took advantage of a Fire mistake on defense and placed a left-footed shot past the Chicago goalie for the 0-2 lead. Suarez made a timely run into space and Gomez served the assist.
Straight out of the locker room #InterMiamiCF doubles their lead with a precise left-footed shot by Luis Suarez… “El Pistolero” is ruthless…#MLS #CHIvMIA
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 1, 2024
Luis Suarez secured his brace in the 65th minute after Sergio Busquets played a long ball for Jordi Alba. Jordi crossed into the box for the Suarez finish. “El Pistolero” ruthlessly placed the ball into the Chicago net for the 3-0 Miami advantage.
Luis Suarez nets the brace to put #InterMiamiCF up 3-0 & give them a commanding lead in the Windy City…#MLS #CHIvMIA
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 1, 2024
Georgios Koutsias scored the lone Fire goal in the 82nd minute, a small consolation prize for the large announced Chicago crowd of 55,385.
Koutsi gets his first of the regular season 💪#cf97 | #CHIvsMIA pic.twitter.com/LFzNrBkHQN
— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) September 1, 2024
Robert Taylor put the finishing touches on the match in stoppage time after receiving a beauty of an assist from Leo Campana. Leo placed a precise pass using his non-dominant right foot for Taylor, who put the ball in the back of the net for the final 1-4 score.
Campana 🔔 serves a precise cross into the box for Robert Taylor who smokes it past the Chicago goalie for the Miami 1-4 lead…Lights out… #InterMiamiCF #MLS #ChivMia
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 1, 2024
Postgame
Ian Fray started the match at right center-back for Inter Miami versus the Chicago Fire in place of the suspended Tomas Aviles, and he did a good job. Fray’s play at center-back gives Tata options and puts pressure on Aviles who is among MLS leaders in yellow card bookings. I asked Tata to talk about Fray’s performance at center-back versus Chicago,
Ian offers us many alternatives…The truth is that he is a player with a tremendous future. I see him with really good qualities, Unfortunately, injuries have delayed his progress. Now he feels good, and today he was able to complete the match. We are very pleased with what he provides us.
Inter Miami has two of the best young defenders in the league, Tomas Aviles and Ian Fray. Iron sharpens iron, and it’s going to be fun seeing these two possibly competing for the right center-back spot heading into the playoffs.
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami is looking like the class of MLS, with only a few teams like Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, LA Galaxy, and LAFC looking as possible contenders. Miami is dominating without Lionel Messi and expectations are that with him they should be able to go all the way and win the MLS Cup.
Messi is nearing a return to the pitch for the Herons. In the long stretch of games that Lionel has missed Inter Miami has shown that they can win without him. Once he returns, the squad should be that much stronger.
Ian Fray got a golden opportunity to start at center-back for Miami versus Chicago, and he demonstrated that he is up to the task of being a starter for this team. Tata has the wonderful option of choosing between two young gems for the position.
September 14, 2024, should be the return of the GOAT to the pitch at home versus Philadelphia. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Messi should play against Philly, Miami is the prohibited favorite for MLS Cup, will Messi add another trophy to his mantle?
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