Fire and Inter Miami draw before record Soldier Field crowd

Photo: Leslie Smith

Chicago Fire 0-0 Inter Miami

CHICAGO, IL—Before a record crowd of 62,358, Chicago Fire and Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi playing the full 90 minutes, played to a goalless draw. It was the first time either side had been kept off the scoresheet in league play.

Messi had the first great chance of the day in the fourth minute after a giveaway by the Fire, but his shot was parried over by Chris Brady. The Fire’s best chance in the first half came in the 26th minute as Mauricio Pineda came up on a loose ball near the area, but was denied by Oscar Ustari.

The opportunities continued to come for both teams in the second half. However, neither would be able to take advantage of them. Messi had a free kick in the 64th minute just outside the area that was tipped by Brady onto the bar. A second free kick would just go over the bar.

Photo: Leslie Smith

“First [free kick], I want on the record that I touched that. I’m confused as to why people don’t think I did,” said Brady. “The second one, I mean, like I said, he’s dangerous wherever he’s taking a free kick. It’s definitely something we worked on in training. Like I said, referring back to that preparation, but I felt prepared. The guys on the wall felt prepared, and you got to be ready for anything.”

Jonathan Bamba had to great chances at the other end, but Ustari was up for the task. Maren Haile Selassie had a rebound attempt in the 88th minute, but pushed that wide.

Ustari would make seven saves on the day while Brady was credited with three. While there was no score, there was no shortage of excitement. Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter thought it was a great advertisement for the city and the Fire.

“I think it shows the potential of this city. We all know that Chicago is a soccer city,” said Berhalter. “It’s really up to us to put a product on the field that they want to come enjoy. And I think a game like today, when both teams are really going for it, really trying to get the three points, trying to entertain the fans – I think that will give them an experience to hopefully come back.

“But again, I think it’s about us trying to build a winner for the city of Chicago. And if we start winning games, we’re pretty confident that people will come back to the stadium.”

Herons coach Javier Mascherano was satisfied with a point and looks forward to a full week of training as there is no midweek match this coming week.

“It was a tough match against a rival who has had a very good start to the season.” said Mascherano through translation. “The team leaves everything on the field, and honestly, beyond always wanting to win, I leave with the feeling that the team tried everything until the end to win. Now, fortunately, we have a long week of training ahead, which gives us a bit of breathing room after the intense start to the season we’ve had.”

Inter Miami next play at Columbus Crew on Saturday (7:30pm ET, Apple TV) while the Fire stay home next Saturday to host FC Cincinnati (7:30pm CT, Apple TV).

For more of Leslie Smith’s photos, please click on the link to her gallery.

SCORING SUMMARY:
None

BOOKING SUMMARY:
CHI-Mauricio Pineda (caution, tactical foul) 3
MIA-Federico Redondo (caution, reckless foul) 19
MIA-Luiz Suarez (caution, reckless foul) 23
CHI-Brian Gutierrez (caution, reckless tackle) 36
MIA-Benjamin Cremaschi (caution, tactical foul) 38
CHI-Jack Elliott (caution, tactical foul) 62
CHI-Sergio Oregel Jr. (caution, tactical foul) 76
CHI-Carlos Teran (caution, tactical foul) 84

CHICAGO FIRE (4-3-3): #1-Chris Brady; #15-Andrew Gutman, #4-Carlos Teran, #3-Jack Elliott, #26-Omari Glasgow; #17-Brian Gutierrez (#7-Maren Haile-Selassie 71), #35-Sergio Oregel Jr. (#23-Kelyn Acosta 85), #22-Mauricio Pineda (#42-Dje D’Avilla 80); #19-Jonathan Bamba, #9-Hugo Cuypers (#12-Tom Barlow 85), #11-Phillip Zinckernagel (#6-Rominigue Kouame 80)

Subs not used: #25-Jonathan Gal, #34-Omar Gonzalez, #36-Justin Reynolds, #38-Chris Cupps

INTER MIAMI CF (4-3-3): #19-Oscar Ustari; #32-Noah Allen, #37-Maximiliano Falcon, #6-Tomas Aviles (#18-Jordi Alba 60), #2-Gonzalo Lujan; #55-Federico Redondo (#42-Yannick Bright 71), #5-Sergio Busquets, #30-Benjamin Cremaschi; #8-Telasco Segovia (#21-Taedo Allende 60), #9-Luis Suarez, #10-Lionel Messi

Subs not used: #1-Drake Callender, #7-Fafa Picault, #17-Ian Fray, #57-Marcel Weigandt, #14-David Martinez, #29-Allen Obando

EXPECTED GOALS: CHI 1.7-1.0 MIA
TOTAL SHOTS: CHI 16-9 MIA
SHOTS ON GOAL: CHI 7-3 MIA
FOULS: CHI 12-11 MIA
OFFSIDES: CHI 3-2 MIA
CORNER KICKS: CHI 4-5 MIA
SAVES: CHI 3-7 MIA

Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Ian McKayl
Fourth Official: Gerald Flores
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
AVAR: Fabio Tovar
Weather: Cloudy and 59º
Attendance: 62,358
Man of the Match: Carlos Teran (CHI)