Miami Grind Out a Scrappy Win at Home To Chicago

Inter Miami 2-1 Chicago Fire

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Inter Miami secured the points in an absorbing encounter at Chase Stadium as the home side overcame a stubborn Chicago side that enjoyed more of the possession.

The return of the injured Lionel Messi was the sideshow before the game kicked off, but they didn’t wait long to create their own spectacle.

With little more than five minutes on the clock, the Herons struck. A long cross-field ball from Tomas Aviles switched the play and found Robert Taylor.

The winger skinned Arnaud Souquet with ease, hitting the touchline before cutting the ball back for Matias Rojas, whose fine strike beat the keeper inside the far post.

With Miami almost back to full strength, the Copa America stars returning, and Sergio Busquets back in the side after his one-match suspension, you felt like the Herons might take control of the game and extend their lead. But despite having a number of chances, that never quite happened, and Chicago started to grow in confidence.

It’s been a common theme for Inter Miami in recent weeks. Unless they concede the first goal, which has often been the case, they fail to kill off teams when they are ahead.

They create chances and have the firepower to win games more comfortably, but they don’t make the most of their possession and often give their opponent hope.

Lois Suarez was back in the starting eleven after his exploits at Copa America, and despite his lack of speed, Miami looked better for it. He has a great football brain and hasn’t lost his touch on the ball.

Neither side could find the final ball to unlock the opposition’s defence, although Miami were by far the better team. In the first period, The Fire looked disorganized and lacked the quality in the final third to make Miami work, leaving the home side free to dictate the play.

They were simply unable to cope with Miami’s attacking threat, and it was thanks to Chris Brady between the sticks who kept the score down after he made a number of good stops for Chicago to deny the Inter front line.

Suarez had a great chance early in the second half and maybe should have done better, but Brady was quick off his line and made it difficult for the striker. But it was the Chicago Fire that seemed to settle more on the ball and clearly improved their game, finally giving the Miami backline something to think about.

Drake Callender was in good form, making a number of fine stops, including a double save after a long-range effort from Brian Gutierrez was spilled by the keeper. He recovered quickly to kick the ball clear and protect the lead, at least for now.

Minutes later, he was beaten at his near post as Rafael Czichos ran into space and past the defenders before firing low into the net. Callender will be disappointed to concede like that, but he was left exposed by a static defence that seemed to watch as the central defender ran through.

The goal came after a sustained period of pressure from the Fire, and they deserved to get something for their efforts, but moments later, they gifted Miami the winner.

A communication breakdown at the back for Chicago left Brady stranded and an empty net for Jordi Alba to chip into. This summed up the Fire’s performance: They showed some good signs during the game but were their own worst enemy with a schoolboy error that ultimately lost them the match.

It was certainly a scrappy win for Miami, who were fortunate to get the result but they’ll be pleased to get back-to-back wins after that heavy defeat to Cincinnati.