Fire withstand Suárez-led comeback and beat Inter Miami 5-3 to clinch 1st playoff berth since 2017

By: Andres Jaime-mendez, The Associated Press Posted: 9:22 PM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025 Last Modified: 9:46 PM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Advertise with us

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Chicago Fire jumped out to an early two-goal lead and withstood a furious second-half comeback try led by Luis Suárez in a 5-3 win over Inter Miami on Tuesday night.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/09/2025 (363 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With the victory, Chicago (15-6-11) secured its first playoff berth since 2017 and improved to eighth in the Eastern Conference MLS standings.

Lionel Messi was held scoreless for the second straight game as Inter Miami, which has already clinched a playoff spot, slipped to 16-8-7. The loss hurt Inter Miami’s hopes of winning the Supporters’ Shield. The Philadelphia Union can secure the regular-season title with a win over New York City FC.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) attempts to score past Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady (1) and defender Joel Waterman (16) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

“This defeat is exclusively my responsibility. It wasn’t the names (the players), it was the strategy I chose,” Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said after the game.

The Fire seized the lead early as Dje D’Avilla opened the scoring with a header in the 11th minute and Jonathan Dean scored on a breakaway in the 31st.

Miami cut the deficit to 2-1 when Tomás Avilés scored at the 39-minute mark, but Chicago’s Romingue Kouamé restored the two-goal advantage just before halftime.

Suárez pulled Inter Miami within one with a goal in the 57th minute and the Uruguayan tied the game 3-all when he scored off an assist from Jordi Alba in the 74th.

Justin Reynolds’ tap in at the back post in the 80th minute put Chicago back in front 4-3, and Brian Gutierrez added an insurance goal on a hard shot from just outside the box in the 83rd.

The game was originally scheduled for August 30, but was postponed when Inter made the Leagues Cup Final, where they lost to Seattle 3-0.

Miami made five changes to the lineup used in a 1-1 tie with Toronto on Saturday, including replacing all defenders, except Jordi Alba. Inter Miami had its three-game MLS winning streak halted with the tie against Toronto.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer