Miami 3-2 Chicago (Jul 22, 2026) Game Analysis
MIAMI — Preston Plambeck scored his first profession objective in MLS within the 87th minute, Luis Suarez scored twice, and Inter Miami CF beat Chicago 3-2 on Wednesday evening to spoil Robert Lewandowski‘s debut for the Fire.
Miami (10-2-4) has gained 5 straight, with the streak beginning earlier than MLS took a six-week hiatus through the FIFA World Cup. Miami was enjoying with out Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, who’re each taking day off after a run to the World Cup last with Argentina.
“I want to congratulate the entire squad, a group that has worked incredibly hard during this period,” Miami supervisor Guillermo Hoyos stated after the sport. “We’ve been doing things right. I also want to congratulate the whole club. There are so many people working behind the scenes who make this great happiness possible. It’s truly moving, because that’s what football is all about: emotions, achievements, and feelings.”
Suárez scored three targets, his first hat trick in MLS since 2024, in Miami’s final recreation earlier than the break, a 6-4 win over Philadelphia.
Suárez had his shot from the middle of the world parried by goalkeeper Chris Brady however Plambeck slammed residence the rebound to offer Miami the win late within the recreation.
The Fire took a 1-0 lead on an personal objective by goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo within the 18th minute. Miami defender Ian Fray performed gradual, rolling ball to Ríos Novo, however the ball slipped by the goalkeeper’s legs as he whiffed on an tried first-touch move.
Suárez transformed from the spot within the twenty seventh to make it 1-1.
Dithejane put subbed on for Philip Zinckernagel within the 62nd minute and scored his first profession objective in MLS on a first-touch shot from simply contained in the penalty space to tie it at 2-2 within the 67th, earlier than Plambeck scored in second-half stoppage time to offer Miami the win.
Hoyos addressed the absence of Messi and De Paul after the match.
“I believe, and I’ve said this several times, that rest is vital. It’s part of an individual’s growth and development,” Hoyos stated. “They need this time, and we are completely open to giving them whatever time they require. There is no set return date. We trust and care for them so much, and we want them back only when they are truly ready, fully recovered in every aspect. It has been an incredibly grueling stretch, 50 days of intense pressure and World Cup matches.
“It’s immense, and the bodily and psychological toll is actual. They really deserve this day off, and we’ll be ready for them to return every time they’re ready and in the precise situation to take action.”
The 37-year-old Lewandowski signed with the Fire on June 29 and his first MLS appearance was delayed. The Fire had their game against Vancouver, which had originally been scheduled for Thursday, postponed until Oct. 6 due to air quality conditions in the Chicago area.
Lewandowski, a seven-time Bundesliga Golden Boot winner, scored a league-record 41 goals in the 2020-21 campaign with Bayern Munich.
Chicago (8-5-2) had its three-game win streak snapped.
Hugo Cuyperswho currently leads MLS with 13 goals this season, will reportedly be leaving the Fire to join CF Monterrey of Liga MX.
Information from The Associated Press was used on this recap.
