Chicago Fire beat Inter Miami to secure their playoff spot

Inter Miami 3 – 5 Chicago Fire

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–It was a night of ups and downs for Inter Miami as they were downed in front of their own fans by Chicago Fire in a pulsating goal fest.

Miami never had the lead in this game, but they did show the spirit to fight back twice and draw level, only to undone by their own poor defending.

The game was slow to start as neither side showed any real threats, and it had a chess like feel about things.

And it was the visitors that had the first sight at goal when a slick move down the left saw a shot from Johnathan Bamba sting the hands of Oscar Ustari.

From the resulting corner, Miami seemed to switch off when the corner found the head of Dje D’Avilla, whose soft header found the net to stun the home fans. It was a poor goal to concede, but that became the theme as the evening unfolded.

Jonathan Dean soon made it a two-goal lead when he was released down the right and ran at goal to score. It was shocking defending by Miami who seemed to be sliced open with ease with nobody seemingly able to provide cover or get back to defend.

The game was being played at walking pace, which wasn’t suiting Miami’s situation. They needed to up the tempo to force the Fire onto the back foot and create chances, but they lacked any urgency.

They finally got s break close to half time when a goal mouth scramble saw the ball fall for Tomas Aviles whose shot deflected in past Chris Brady to provide a lifeline.

But no sooner had they got their foot back in the door when Chicago slammed it shut with another goal as Miami were again left wanting defensively.

The Fire swarmed forward and left Miami in their wake as Rominigue Kouame found himself in front of goal and found the corner of the net past a static Ustari to restore the two-goal advantage.

Miami came out swinging in the second half and almost pulled a goal back when Messi hit the post and Allende latched on to the rebound only to hit the bar. It was a sign of the intent and maybe some clear direction from the coach.

Ian Fray stung the hands of Brady with a rasping shot as Miami continued to dominate the early possession in the second half.

And it was no surprise when they got a goal back. Substitute Baltasar Rodriguez played a reverse pass for Suarez who did well to keep his footing as he stumbled his way to scoring and pull his side back into the game.

Chicago consistently kept giving up possession cheaply in dangerous areas, and it simply served to provide Miami with more openings and encouraged them forward.

Which is what they did. And soon after the comeback was complete. Jordi Alba played the ball to Surez inside the area, and the striker curled the ball beautifully into the net for his second of the match.

But they couldn’t take advantage and pull ahead and Chicago attacked with numbers through a ragged Miami defence. Justin Reynolds latched onto a cross and was able to pass the ball into the net as defenders looked on.

And to add insult to injury, Brian Gutierrez added the cherry on top with a thunderbolt strike that gave Ustari no chance and may have been the goal of the game.

It was a tired looking performance from Miami who have had a heavy schedule in recent weeks and look like they could do with a rest.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano will be delighted to see the spirit and the fight that his players displayed in this game, but the ease in which they conceded goals will be a serious concern.

I’ve said before that Miami look best when they’re playing attacking football and scoring goals, which they do well. Unfortunately, this season they lack the same quality defensively, and that needs to change, or their season could suffer.

Photos by Edwin Gomez

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