Soldier Field—Lionel Messi’s first MLS match in Chicago ended in a 0-0 shutout draw. In a gritty, grind-it-out game, neither team could capitalize on the numerous chances they created. In the end, the Chicago Fire record crowd of 62,358 did not get to see the best version of Messi.
New attendance record for Chicago Fire 🔥 The #Messi Effect… The huge crowd came to see the GOAT 🐐 but they didn’t get his best version this afternoon…#InterMiamiCF #MLS https://t.co/TR9mLMkBsG
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 13, 2025
Starting XI
The Herons continue to ride their Barca legends early on in the season, and through eight weeks of the MLS schedule, rest has been minimal for the veteran players. Oscar Ustari started in goal for Miami, with Noah Allen, Maxi Falcon, Toto Aviles, and Gonzalo Lujan in defense. Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo, and Telasco Segovia manned the midfield. Benjamin Cremaschi, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi formed the attacking front trio.
Lionel #Messi will play for the 1st time in the Windy City…Strong lineup for #InterMiamiCF with little rotation for the ex Barca boys…Jordi Alba will on the Miami bench…Bright who is a little dinged up will also come of the bench for the Herons….#MLS pic.twitter.com/WnZWib3qDh
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 13, 2025
Match Action
The Chicago Fire’s game plan was to congest the middle of the pitch and make it difficult for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to maneuver, and they did a good job of that for most of the game. Messi had difficulties finding spaces to receive the ball cleanly and create for the Herons as the Fire clamped down on Miami’s superstar. The Goat was still dangerous for Miami, nearly scoring on setpieces on a couple of occasions.
Even when he’s not playing a great match, #Messi is always dangerous…#MLS #InterMiamiCF
pic.twitter.com/EKgwIAlhai— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 13, 2025
Chicago used Miami’s lack of defensive structure to fabricate dangerous counterattacks that they could not turn into goals.
The Herons look a little fatigued early on in Chicago… #InterMiamiCF has been caught badly positioned in several dangerous counterattacks…#Messi hasn’t seen the ball ⚽️ much so far.. #MLS
pic.twitter.com/q8uJpRdCKK— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 13, 2025
Miami goalie Oscar Ustari made several game-saving blocks to help Inter Miami CF preserve the shutout and fly home with a point on the road.
Clutch save from Oscar Ustari at the end to keep Chicago off the board. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/ZcYmSid1Mn
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 13, 2025
Postgame
During the postgame press conference, Javier Mascherano was asked if he believes that Inter Miami’s “project,” and Lionel Messi’s presence in MLS have changed people’s perception of the league.
Asked if #Messi and #InterMiamiCF 's project has changed people's perception of #MLS. " Anywhere he has been, there has been a before and after."
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 13, 2025
There will be a before and an after in MLS when Messi is gone as a player. Undoubtedly, the Messi fans will not watch the league or Inter Miami games with the same fervor, but the brand is already out there. Messi will also continue as an owner of the team, and this will help keep some interest in MLS.
Mascherano was also asked if he believes Messi will be fit enough to make it to the 2026 World Cup.
Asked if he thinks that #Messi can hold up physically to reach the 2026 World Cup, "I have no doubt he can physically, the question is if he decides to take part, and only he can decide that." #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 13, 2025
Mascherano, who sees Messi day in and day out, feels Lionel still has enough in the tank to make it to the World Cup with Argentina. I hope he is right, it would be our last chance to see the Goat in a World Cup.
Final Thoughts
Inter Miami looked like a tired team on Sunday afternoon versus Chicago. The Fire shut Miami out and created many scoring chances on counterattacks, which they luckily could not finish. Javier Mascherano has done minimal rotations with Miami when it comes to the Barca legends. It seems that they have the same passion and desire to play every minute of every game. Ideally, the coach would overrule his players and rest them for their own good. The aging veterans seem to have forgotten that their bodies are no longer those of men in their twenties, but of men nearing their forties.
Rotations are also necessary for the younger players who have played extensive minutes. Telasco Segovia looked tired against Chicago and was substituted early in the second half. This was the right move by Mascherano. Now he should be enboldened enough to do the same with Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suarez.
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