Major League Soccer,
Round 24
Chicago Fire
CHI
09/10/2026
01:30
Inter Miami
-
place
- Camp of Soldiers
Chicago Fire v Inter Miami preview
Lionel Messi headlines a star-studded cast as Inter Miami assume the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on Wednesday night.
Messi was yesterday included in the list of 30 hopefuls to win the Ballon d’Or 2026 in recognition of his outstanding year with Miami and Argentina.
The 39-year-old was a key contributor as the Florida club claimed their first MLS Cup crown in December – winning the Golden Boot with 29 goals and 48 total contributions, as well as the MVP award – and followed that up with a string of stellar displays as Argentina reached the World Cup final before losing to Spain.
However, it’s not just Messi that fans can get excited about, and there is a certain Barcelona flavor to the game.
Messi will obviously have Miami team-mate Luis Suarez by his side and will meet another ex-Blaugrana hero in Chicago striker Robert Lewandowski.
The Pole has made an excellent start to his career in the United States with five goals and two assists in his first eight MLS appearances.
Neither team is in great form, with Chicago struggling defensively after drawing their previous three MLS games, including a 4-4 thriller with Toronto FC last time out.
“The feeling in the locker room was one of disappointment, and I think that’s a good thing, because we expected to win and we didn’t,” head coach Gregg Berhalter said of their draw with the Canadians.
“So what we talked about was the approach at the end of the game. We got back into it, we got ahead, and it was really about how do we stop the attack that they had at the end? And we didn’t do that well, and they ended up getting the tie.”
“For us, we have to be better defensively, we have to be more compact. Offensively, we are creating enough. We are doing enough to score goals.”
Berhalter is excited, however, about the game with Messi’s Miami.
He added in statements reported by the Miami Herald: “That’s what Major League Soccer is all about, playing games like this in front of sold-out stadiums with outstanding players. We always talk about Major League Soccer being a league option for the best players, and this game is an example of that. You can see a lot of outstanding players in this game.”
Miami, who will be managed again by Guillermo Hoyos while new boss Kily Gonzalez awaits his work visa, have won just one of their last five in MLS.
Major League Soccer Table
Conference of the East
-
position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: Round of 16)
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position 8, 9: Promotion – MLS (Play Off: 1/16 final)
Chicago Fire v Inter Miami Team News
Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Andre Franco are out of the fire.
Defensemen Micael and Gonzalo Lujan are doubtful for Miami and Mateo Silvetti is out after re-injuring his shoulder against Atlanta. Sergio Reguilon has a hamstring strain and could be missed.
Expected lineups for Chicago Fire – Inter Miami
Chicago Fire: Brady; Dean, Rogers, Elliott, Gutman; Saletros, D’Aville, Haile Selassie; Zinckernagel, Lewandowski
Inter Miami: St Clair; Fra, Casemiro, Falcon, Caicedo; De Paul, Bright, Segovia; Messi, Suarez, Taylor
Statistics of Chicago Fire – Inter Miami
- Inter Miami is aiming to become the first MLS Cup champion to defend its title since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011-12.
- Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski have scored almost 1,700 goals in their careers between club and country.
- Inter Miami won the last game 3-2 in July
- No MLS team has scored more goals this season than Miami’s 58
- Chicago can claim an eighth home win of the regular season on Wednesday, the club’s most in a single MLS campaign since 2019.
Where to watch Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami: Streaming TV & Online
Kick-off is at 19:30 CT on Wednesday, which is 1:30 BST early Thursday morning for those watching in the UK.
The game is available live on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass.
Chicago Fire – Inter Miami Prediction
There should be goals with two of the most attacking teams in MLS facing off. We believe that the spoils can be shared, which would not be a bad outcome for either side.
He also expects Messi and Lewandowski to be featured.
Chicago Fire
2-2
Inter Miami
