Inter Miami defeated Chicago Fire 3-2 in Major League Soccer. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 18 stage in the 2026 season. The match was played at Nu Stadium in Miami. Rubiel Vazquez, USA officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Inter Miami vs Chicago Fire meeting in Major League Soccer with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Inter Miami and Chicago Fire. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Major League SoccerRecorded meetings: 10 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Amid Inter Miami's ongoing investigations over tampering, LA Galaxy GM Will Kuntz stated that "Casemiro 'only wanted to play for the Galaxy." Casemiro’s signing with Inter Miami generated as much controversy as it did headline buzz, with MLS opening a formal investigation into the player’s Discovery Rights following tampering allegations against the Florida club. LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz has now broken the silence, revealing that before the midfielder expressed a desire to join the Herons, “Casemiro only wanted to play for the Galaxy.“ When Casemiro was unveiled as Inter Miami‘s newest addition, MLS released a statement confirming a tampering investigation into the South Florida club. ESPN confirmed that the Galaxy filed the grievance because the Western Conference club held Casemiro’s Discovery Rights, alleging that Miami initiated unauthorized contract talks with the Brazilian star anyway. During Casemiro’s introductory press conference, Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas addressed the allegations and denied any rule violations: “In this case, the executives at Inter Miami, especially Alberto Marrero, respected the letter of the MLS law regarding the Discovery List. We did not enter talks until we settled with the LA Galaxy. We abided; we did not enter negotiations with Casemiro or his reps without talking to the Galaxy and the league until given the green light“. While emphasizing that the Discovery List remains confidential (making it impossible to know beforehand if the Galaxy held his rights), Mas defended his front office’s actions. “If the Galaxy made a bona fide offer, that team retained the rights to Casemiro. In that case, there is a negotiation between clubs where the league gets involved…Supposedly, we violated the rule while we were negotiating with the Galaxy. There was an accusation made, which we did not tamper whatsoever,” Mas added. Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami CF, and Casemiro speak to the media. Casemiro also acknowledged speaking directly with the Galaxy, stating he made his preference for Miami clear due to personal ties to the city. “When I spoke to them (the Galaxy), I made it very clear which team I wanted to join in MLS, and that is Inter Miami because of the project, the ambition, and of course to play alongside the greatest player of all time,” the midfielder noted. LA Galaxy disputes timeline of Casemiro’s stance Left without the star midfielder, the Galaxy front office pushed back publicly regarding the timeline of events. On Saturday, following a scoreless draw against FC Dallas, General Manager Will Kuntz met with media members to address ongoing club business, with the Inter Miami tampering dispute taking center stage. In comments captured by The Galactic Tribune’s Alex Ruiz, Kuntz offered a pointed rebuttal: “Look, I know there’s been a few things said. The league is going to release their findings. It’s true that Casemiro called and said that he always wanted to play at Inter Miami. It’s also true that came two months after he told us that he only wanted to play for the Galaxy. So I think, do with that what you will.” What lies ahead in the MLS tampering investigation? Two weeks have passed since MLS launched its probe into Casemiro’s transfer to Inter Miami, though the league has yet to release its official findings or ruling. “The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,” MLS stated in its initial release. In the meantime, Casemiro has featured in Inter Miami’s last two fixtures against CF Montreal and the Columbus Crew, starting both matches (and accidentally scoring an own goal in the latter). He is expected to remain in the starting XI for upcoming Leagues Cup matches while the league’s review, along with any potential sanctions against Inter Miami or the player, remains pending.
Inter Miami are reportedly looking to pair up Kevin De Bruyne with Lionel Messi, while some other MLS clubs are also monitoring the Belgian's potential signing. Lionel Messi received a massive boost during the 2026 summer transfer window when Brazilian powerhouse Casemiro signed on to anchor Inter Miami‘s midfield. Now, a marquee target has resurfaced, with reports indicating the South Florida franchise wants to pair Kevin De Bruyne alongside Messi despite growing competition across Major League Soccer. According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, De Bruyne could be granted an exit route from Napoli during the current transfer window. Following a Scudetto-winning campaign in his debut season, the 2025-26 stretch proved challenging for the Belgian playmaker, who missed significant time between late October and late February due to a leg flexor injury. A transfer during the current window represents Napoli’s cleanest path to securing a return on investment for De Bruyne, whose deal with the Italian side runs through June 2027. Under those terms, Mundo Deportivo reports that Inter Miami remains eager to pair the midfield maestro with Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul. Back in June 2025, both Inter Miami and expansion side San Diego FC submitted inquiries regarding a potential move to MLS, a destination that remains attractive to the player. While De Bruyne chose to remain in Europe at the time, the 35-year-old coming off his final World Cup run in 2026 is increasingly open to a North American transition. Kevin De Bruyne #7 of Belgium applauds fans after the elimination from the 2026 World Cup. Inter Miami faces domestic competition for De Bruyne Sharing the pitch with Messi has emerged as Inter Miami’s ultimate recruitment tool, appealing to former Barcelona teammates like Suarez, international colleagues like De Paul, and former rivals like Sergio Reguilón and Casemiro. However, with all Designated Player spots currently occupied and General Allocation Money (GAM) capped, rival clubs are positioning themselves to swoop in. Mundo Deportivo reports that the Chicago Fire and San Diego FC are actively monitoring De Bruyne’s availability. Chicago holds an open Designated Player slot following the departure of leading scorer Hugo Cuypers, while San Diego could open a slot through a potential departure of Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, giving both clubs a roster flexibility advantage over Miami. Inter Miami holds crucial regulatory edge Speculation surrounding De Bruyne intensified following reports from The Athletic that MLS owners are pushing for roster rule modifications, specifically moving toward a more flexible salary structure. While structural rule changes won’t offer immediate relief, the Herons still possess a major leverage point over their domestic rivals. Inter Miami currently controls De Bruyne’s MLS Discovery Rights, positioning the club to lead any negotiations should the Belgian decide to make the move stateside. Miami filed for those rights following his departure from Manchester City, meaning both Chicago and San Diego would have to trade for those rights with South Florida before making a formal contract offer to the player.
Inter Miami head coach Guillermo Hoyos explained how Lionel Messi was able to return to the MLS in less than two weeks from the 2026 World Cup final. Lionel Messi has officially returned to the pitch for Inter Miami following Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final. Less than two weeks after squaring off against Spain, head coach Guillermo Hoyos shed light on the driving forces behind the superstar’s MLS rapid turn-around. Following the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, Messi took a brief vacation before reporting back to Inter Miami’s Fort Lauderdale training facility on Wednesday. With only a couple of team sessions under his belt, the legendary forward suited up to aid the Herons in their ongoing quest for MLS hardware. On Saturday, Aug. 1, Inter Miami hosted the Columbus Crew. Rather than watching from a luxury box as originally expected, Messi was named to the matchday squad as a substitute. The captain entered in the 53rd minute and made an immediate impact, firing four shots (one on target), though the Herons ultimately settled for a 2-2 draw after Columbus midfielder Brais Mendez scored an 84th-minute equalizer. In his postgame press conference, Hoyos praised the dedication of his squad, singling out international stars Messi and Rodrigo De Paul: “I want to thank all the players for the effort they put in. I especially want to thank Leo and Rodri for traveling and showing up so soon after the World Cup. That was very important. This is a difficult, competitive league. We were winning in the 86th minute and wanted three points, but ended up with one. The game escaped us in the final minutes.“ Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball against the Columbus Crew. Hoyos on what drove Messi’s accelerated return Despite turning 39 during the 2026 World Cup, Messi defied expectations by making his return to competitive play in less than a fortnight. Instead of waiting for the club’s upcoming Leagues Cup debut, the Argentine legend insisted on getting match minutes under his belt against Columbus. When asked how Messi managed to stay fit and return so quickly, Hoyos offered a simple explanation: “Love for the game. The feeling towards a team as well. He is a football player, and when we are football players, we never leave football behind. Today I am a manager, but I will never stop being a football player. It is a very strong feeling.“ Hoyos’ sentiment aligns with Messi’s actions during his abbreviated time off. While resting in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, the star was spotted supporting Leones FC (the fourth-division club presided over by his brother, Matias) proving that even during his downtime, soccer remains front and center. Inter Miami now shifts its focus to the 2026 Leagues Cup, opening tournament play against Mexican side Atletico San Luis on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Nu Stadium. Following his cameo against the Crew, Messi’s participation is all but guaranteed.
Poland striker scores double on his home MLS debutMessi returns as Inter Miami draw 2-2 with ColumbusRobert Lewandowski scored two goals on his home debut as the Chicago Fire eked out a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday. The win is Chicago’s first in Major League Soccer since the end of the international break.Lewandowski, signed in late June as a free agent, produced a vintage performance to help the Fire (9-6-2, 29 points) close an ever-narrowing gap with the Eastern Conference’s top three clubs. Charlotte (7-7-4, 25pts) has now lost four of its last five road matches. Continue reading...
All eyes are locked on Lionel Messi as Inter Miami gears up for a high-stakes MLS heavyweight clash against the Columbus Crew. With the squad fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the Argentine icon's potential return to the pitch has completely taken over the pre-match hype. Dive in to see if the legendary playmaker is finally ready to lace up his boots for one of the biggest showdowns of the weekend. All eyes are locked on Lionel Messi as Inter Miami gears up for a high-stakes MLS heavyweight clash against the Columbus Crew. With the squad fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the Argentine icon’s potential return to the pitch has completely taken over the pre-match hype. Dive in to see if the legendary playmaker is finally ready to lace up his boots for one of the biggest showdowns of the weekend. Inter Miami enters the contest in excellent form after winning six consecutive league matches, while Columbus Crew arrives hoping to pull off an upset and revive its playoff ambitions. The encounter also comes just days before the Leagues Cup begins, making every selection decision even more significant for both clubs. The Herons have shown impressive resilience despite missing their biggest star since the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. The club currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with 37 points, just two behind conference leader Nashville, after collecting victories over opponents including CF Montréal. Luis Suarez has led the attack during Messi’s absence, scoring six goals across the club’s last three MLS matches, including the winner against Montreal. New signing Casemiro also made his debut in that victory and is expected to play his first home match against Columbus Crew. The winning streak has given head coach Guillermo Hoyos the luxury of managing Messi’s return carefully rather than rushing him back into action. Is Messi available for selection? After days of speculation, Lionel Messi is available for Inter Miami’s match against Columbus Crew after returning to full training following his post-World Cup break. However, uncertainty remains over whether the Argentine captain will start the match or make his return from the bench. The World Cup final only recently concluded, and Messi had been enjoying an optional recovery period before reporting back to the club. FIFA and FIFPRO guidelines recommend players receive time off following major international tournaments, although the rest period is not compulsory. Speaking ahead of the match, Hoyos confirmed that discussions were still taking place regarding the forward’s role. “[Messi] got here a little bit ago so we haven’t had a chance yet to properly talk about it. But we’re happy (he and De Paul) are back.” “Debemos agradecer la implicación que tienen Leo Messi y Rodrigo De Paul, son fundamentales a nivel futbolístico y humano”.🎙️ Guillermo Hoyospic.twitter.com/VMu9eY7ng2— Marirró Varela ⭐️🌟⭐️ (@marirrovarela) July 31, 2026 The coach later added: “We are talking in that regard. He just arrived recently, so we still haven’t had the chance to really talk things through, but we are very happy that he has returned.” Those comments suggest the coaching staff will make a final decision closer to kickoff after evaluating the veteran’s physical condition. Why Inter Miami is being cautious The timing of Messi’s return is particularly delicate because Inter Miami faces several crucial fixtures over the coming weeks, including MLS matches against Nashville, Philadelphia Union, Toronto, and Montreal, alongside the Leagues Cup campaign. Reports indicate the medical and coaching staff prefer to prioritize the long-term fitness of their biggest stars rather than rushing them back immediately after the World Cup. Lionel Messi #10 and Rodrigo de Paul #7 of Inter Miami CF. Should Hoyos decide against giving Messi heavy minutes against Columbus Crew, the Argentine could instead be preserved for Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup opener against Atlético de S
Lionel Messi could get a new teammate after rumors linking Juan Fernando Quintero to Inter Miami. Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami have emerged as one of the clubs monitoring Juan Fernando Quintero’s situation after Colombia’s 2026 World Cup playmaker became a free agent following his exit from River Plate. According to Diario AS Colombia, the Herons are among the options being considered for the 33-year-old, though there’s no confirmation yet of direct talks between the two parties. If it materializes, the move would put Quintero in a locker room already stacked with Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez, Sergio Reguilón and new arrival Casemiro. Quintero’s departure from River came after a turbulent final stretch of his third spell at the club, marked by open friction with head coach Eduardo Coudet. The midfielder didn’t hide his frustration before the split. Juan Quintero #20 of Colombia during the 2026 World Cup. (Getty Images) “I’m not a priority for Coudet. As a person, I have the utmost respect for him, but footballing-wise we think differently. I didn’t get much continuity under him; I played five minutes in the final,” Quintero told ESPN’s Equipo F. Both sides ultimately agreed to terminate his contract following Colombia’s run at the 2026 World Cup, where the Tricolor were eliminated in the round of 16 on penalties to Switzerland in Vancouver. What could Quintero bring to Miami Quintero’s arrival would make sense from a pure squad-management standpoint. Inter Miami are juggling three competitions simultaneously this season: the MLS regular season, the Leagues Cup, and the Concacaf Champions Cup, where they enter directly in the Round of 16 after clinching their first-ever MLS Cup title last year. With that packed calendar and Messi, De Paul and others needing careful rotation after their World Cup runs, adding a proven creative midfielder like Quintero would give Hoyos real depth to manage fixture congestion without leaning too heavily on his older stars.
Inter Miami face Columbus Crew, and many are wondering whether Lionel Messi will return to action for the Herons. Lionel Messi’s status for Inter Miami’s home clash with the Columbus Crew remains unresolved hours before kickoff. While Guillermo Hoyos stopped short of confirming his presence in Friday’s press conference, the Argentine could still be present at Nu Stadium regardless. Messi added a new layer of intrigue Saturday morning by posting an Instagram story referencing tonight’s match, fueling speculation that he could be involved in some capacity, even if only off the bench. The same situation applies to Rodrigo De Paul, who rejoined the squad alongside Messi and could see some action tonight. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET at Inter Miami‘s home stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with the stakes raised by the fact that a win would send the Herons to the top of the Eastern Conference. If Messi and De Paul don’t feature tonight, both are expected to be available for Wednesday’s Leagues Cup opener against Atletico San Luis, which lines up with the end of their mandated post-World Cup rest period. Fútbol at home under the lights 💫 #MIAvCLB pic.twitter.com/wx8D52D3R2— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 1, 2026 Inter Miami projected lineup German Berterame won’t be available for this match due to concussion protocol, sustained during the win over CF Montreal. This would be the projected starting XI if Messi and De Paul begin the match on the bench: Ríos Novo; Reguilón, Micael, Fray, Mura; Ruiz, Casemiro, Bright, Silvetti; Plambeck, Suárez. Columbus Crew projected lineup For this match, Laurent Courtois is expected to send out the following side at Nu Stadium: Schulte; Zawadzki, Camacho, Moreira; Arfsten, Bangoura, Chambost; Farsi; Gazdag, Habroune; Thiaré.
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