By Miguel Rapetti
04 Oct 2023, 11:46 PM EDT
The absence of Lionel Messi in Inter Miami for the fourth consecutive game was once again transcendental for those from Florida to accumulate a new defeat in the MLS, this time being the Chicago Fire who gave them a 4-1 win at Soldier Field.
In the midst of a record attendance of 62,124 spectators who were waiting to see Messi in the stadium, the fans could not count on the presence of the Argentine but they could count on a Chicago Fire that overwhelmed at all times thanks to the double of the Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri and Maren Haile Selassie.
For its part, Inter Miami had to console itself with a solitary goal scored by Venezuelan Josef Martínez from the penalty spot, in charge of replacing the number 10.
Messi did not travel to Chicago while waiting to complete his recovery process due to a muscle problem suffered on September 20. They had already been out in the Cup final, lost against the Houston Dynamo and with this fall Inter Miami dropped to the penultimate place in the East of the MLS, with 33 points, five from the playoff spots and three to go. days to go.
The team led by Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has one game less than New York City and Montreal, but its chances of a comeback were significantly reduced in Chicago, where the Fire exposed its defensive limits.
Miami’s schedule includes a home duel against Cincinnati, the best team in the MLS and already winner of the Supporters Shield, and a double crossing with Charlotte, a team that is also fighting for a place in the postseason.
One of the two events will be held during the FIFA date, in which Inter Miami will lose twelve players, including, in all likelihood, Messi.
The Fire, a team that up to this point had experienced a season marked by more disappointments than joys, took a big step towards the playoffs and now occupies eighth position, with 40 points.
Keep reading:
- Lionel Messi Effect: The price of Chicago Fire vs. tickets drops more than $140 dollars. Inter Miami due to the possible absence of number 10
- Chicago Fire will offer financial compensation to fans who go to the stadium in case Lionel Messi does not play
- Chicago Fire coach compared Lionel Messi to Michael Jordan: “With one play, he can change the result”