Inter Miami picked up three points in Major League Soccer action as Luiz Suarez scored to propel the south Florida side to a 4-1 win over the Chicago Fire.
Both teams in the Eastern Conference found themselves on top of each other in the most open spaces during the transition period. However, the visiting Herons would score the first 25 minutes of the first half with an own goal.
Diego Gomez found himself in space down the right and hooked Luis Suarez with a low cross into the center of the Chicago penalty area. Suarez's shot was met by Chris Brady, but the goalie's save beat defender Tobias Salquist and his net to give the Herons the lead.
Suarez was denied again moments later after a powerful header hit the crossbar and out of danger for the Fire – but Suarez would go on to score at the start of the 45 second half.
El Pistolero was played through by Gomez again, and the former Gremio striker easily finished with his weak left foot to double Miami's lead. It was a brilliant pass to set up Gomez's Uruguayan with a superb finish to silence the home fans at Soldier Field.
However, the Herons weren't done scoring. Suarez held on to score his 16th MLS goal of 2024 after going down in the Fire's penalty area from former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba. Suarez made no mistake from a few yards out as Alba grabbed his eighth assist of the campaign.
As the Herons posted their sixth clean sheet of the season, Chicago pulled one back with less than 10 minutes to go. Former LAFC midfielder Kellyn Acosta sent an inviting cross into the Miami penalty area that Georgios Koutsias headed home from close range.
Miami will restore their three-goal record in regulation as Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's two players combined to score 4-1 in favor of the visitors. Leo Campana was alone down the right side of the field to play a simple ball into the Chicago penalty area for Robert Taylor to fire into the back of the net past Brady.
Even though the legendary Lionel Messi has not yet returned from his long-awaited ankle injury, the Herons showed no signs of slowing down. The win over Chicago was Miami's 18th MLS win of the season as Martino's side sit in first place in the Supporters' Shield with 59 points from 27 games played while the Fire's struggle continues for 14th place in the Eastern Conference table.
GK: Drake Callender – 6/10 – Almost a bystander in the first half it was a similar story in the second half until Koutsias scored from close range — not much he could do there.
CB: Ian Fray – 7/10 – He stepped up to play a different role at linebacker and was solid.
CB: Sergio Busquets – 7/10 – He continues to fill in as a center back and doesn't look out of place. He came up with a big block in the opening minutes to deny Hug Cuypers a goal through the middle against Maren Haile-Selassie.
CB: Hector Martinez – 7/10 – He started off on the wrong foot when he struggled with Haile-Selassie. However, he improved as the game progressed.
RWB: Marcelo Weigandt – 6/10 – He didn't really have the desired impact in terms of attack but his consistent pressure put the Fire under pressure at times.
CM: Federico Redondo – 6/10 – Quiet performance from Redondo who stepped in and did the dirty work needed while also stepping in to cut and recover.
CM: Yannick Bright – 7/10 – Tidy in charge as he continues his development in his first season with the club. Bright has shown that he is a solid team player who should keep him around for a long time with a lot of potential.
LWB: Jordi Alba – 7/10 – The defender was quiet but picked up the pace in the second half to grab Suarez's assist.
RW: Julian Gressel – 7/10 – The former Columbus Crew player's movement was impressive down the right as he connected well with his teammates in difficult situations.
ST: Luis Suarez – 9/10 – It's great to lead the line for the Herons. His defensive play was top notch and his header led to the first goal before he got on the scoresheet with a cool finish in the second half. He closed his brace with a tap-later.
LW: Diego Gomez – 8/10 – Add another change to the wing by setting up both goals for Miami. His ability to take on his defender and play teammates through the goal makes him a versatile player on the Miami team.
What you are holding
SUB: David Ruiz (72' for Redondo) – 6/10 – He came to strengthen the middle of the park in the latter stages of the game.
SUB: Benjamin Cremaschi (72' for Gressel) – 6/10 – He helped ease the pressure in the final third to slow things down.
SUB: Leo Campana (80' for Suarez) – 7/10 – He grabbed the assist with the ball into Taylor's path.
SUB: Robert Taylor (90' for Gomez) – 7/10 – He reminded Miami fans that he is still a valuable player on the team with a limited strike time.
The manager
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino – 9/10 – Martino's decision to stick with a 3-4-3 setup looks like a masterstroke for the second week in a row. Miami didn't give up many clear-cut chances — which hasn't happened for much of the season — while also being ruthless in their transitions to start attacks.
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