Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami live score, result, updates, highlights from Lionel Messi in MLS match

October 4, 2023 Admin

With Lionel Messi injured, Inter Miami have struggled to gain ground in their hunt for an MLS playoff spot, but they also have managed to hold their position, seeing the race come down to the final matches of the year.

As Messi’s level of fitness remains unclear, Inter Miami meet another direct playoff rival as they visit the Chicago Fire in a midweek match.

Inter Miami sit in 13th on 33 points, four back of the final playoff spot. The hosts are just two places above them, on 37 points, and only outside the postseason spots on the victories tiebreaker.

A potential winner here would likely jump into a playoff position, depending on outside results, while defeat would leave the victim needing a miracle to reach the postseason.

The Sporting News is following the Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami live score

	Score	Goal scorers
Chicago Fire	—	—
Inter Miami	—	—

Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT
Location: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)
Referee: Joe Dickerson

Predicted lineups:

Chicago Fire (4-2-3-1, right to left): Brady (GK) — Dean, Omsberg, Teran, Navarro — Doumbia, G. Gimenez — B. Gutierrez, Shaqiri, J. Torres — Kamara.

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Allen — Ruiz, Busquets, Cremaschi — Farias, Martinez, Taylor.

Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami live updates, highlights, commentary

1 hour 30 mins to kick: A lot of teams have indicated that their preparation for Inter Miami varies wildly depending on whether Lionel Messi will play, but Chicago Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri played his own cards close to his chest when asked if they are waiting for news on Messi’s availability.

“The preparation is not going to change, we’re going to prepare as normal as always,” Shaqiri said in his pre-match availability Monday. “Everybody is excited to play against Inter Miami. If Messi is injured or not, personally I am not thinking too much about this. Of course Inter Miami is a different team when Messi is playing or not playing, you see that in the last games when Messi is in the team they are better, but we prepare like normal for every game.”

Xherdan Shaqiri: “For me it’s clear, Messi and Ronaldo are the best players in the world… these guys are among the best athletes in the history of sport, along with Michael Jordan and Tom Brady.”#cf97 #vamosfire pic.twitter.com/puTvUqC0a1

— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) October 2, 2023

1 hour 45 mins to kick: The status of Lionel Messi is unclear, but Chicago is still feeling Messi fever!

Hi from Chicago! Not sure if Messi is here (my hunch is no), but I am here to cover the Inter Miami v Fire game, and the Messi shirt ???? ⚽️ vendors are here, too! @MiamiHerald @HeraldSports @InterMiamiCF #InterMiamiCF #Messi???? #cf97 #MLS pic.twitter.com/hp8KHzkwNB

— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) October 4, 2023

2 hours to kickoff: Tata Martino has played his cards extremely close to his chest when it comes to the fitness of Lionel Messi. Each week we see how tight-lipped the Inter Miami boss has been regarding Messi’s injury.

Prior to tonight’s match against the Chicago Fire, Martino was asked about the return of Jordi Alba, and he stated that there is a timeline in place for Alba’s return. When asked if there’s a timeline for Messi’s return, Martino refused to acknowledge if there is.

Tata Martino when I asked about Lionel Messi’s return timeline:

“I understand your desire to know the exact timelines, but if I had the exact timelines I would share them.

“I just don’t have them.”

????????????#InterMiamiCF #Messi???? pic.twitter.com/U7doZYX491

— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) October 4, 2023

Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami lineups & team news

Frank Klopas has rotated his two young attackers, Brian Gutierrez and Jairo Torres along with famed Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri in the attack. He has also done his best to keep his striker stop rolling along with Kei Kamara and Georgios Koutsias alternating up front and MLS veteran Kacper Przybylko coming off the bench.

Injuries to defenders Mauricio Pineda and Miguel Navarro, plus striker Victor Bezerra, will keep them out for today’s match, while Chris Mueller is done for the year with a hip problem.

Chicago Fire projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Brady (GK) — Dean, Omsberg, Teran, Navarro — Doumbia, G. Gimenez — B. Gutierrez, Shaqiri, J. Torres — Kamara.

Chicago Fire subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

The status of Lionel Messi is uncertain, but it feels unlikely that he will be involved given recent matches. He could, however, be more ready for action over the weekend when Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati.

Inter Miami will definitely be without the services of both Jordi Alba and Leonardo Campana who are both out with muscle injuries. Midfielder Gregore has returned to training after months on the sideline with a foot injury, and could be involved in the coming matches as he ramps up his fitness.

Tomas Aviles is suspended for yellow card accumulation, while Ian Fray and Corentin Jean are both out for the season with ACL injuries.

Inter Miami projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Callender (GK) — Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Miller, Allen — Ruiz, Busquets, Cremaschi — Farias, Martinez, Taylor.

Inter Miami subs (12): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)

How to watch Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami

Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami betting odds & lines

Inter Miami have been mired in a slump without Lionel Messi, and with the Argentine likely to miss out again today, the Herons are heavy underdogs on the road at Chicago.

Goals are expected in this match as both sides have conceded in bunches for the most part this year.