The Chicago Fire frustrated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in a 0-0 draw on Sunday, the first time the Florida team has failed to score in this Major League Soccer season.
A record crowd of 62,358 turned out at Soldier Field—the largest ever for a Chicago Fire home game—to witness Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez in action.
But the fans saw a resilient performance from the hosts, who stood firm against the high-profile visitors.
Chicago, managed by ex-USA boss Gregg Berhalter, gave little away and restricted Miami’s attacking duo to few clear-cut chances.
Messi, who played the full 90 minutes, had his best opportunity early in the match with a powerful shot from outside the area in the third minute, but goalkeeper Chris Brady produced a stunning diving save to deny him.
Undeterred by the occasion, the Fire pushed forward themselves. Mauricio Pineda forced a fine stop from Miami keeper Oscar Ustari, and Philip Zinckernagel went close with a shot that hit the outside of the post in a confident first-half showing.
Suárez had a golden chance to open the scoring just before the break when Noah Allen floated in a cross, but the Uruguayan’s effort flew over the bar.
After the interval, Chicago continued to press, with much of their threat coming from former Lille winger Jonathan Bamba.
The hosts should have taken the lead late on when Bamba’s shot was parried by Ustari, only for Maren Haile-Selassie to miss the rebound. Moments later, Bamba again tested Ustari, who stood firm.
In a tense finale, Inter Miami could have stolen all three points, but substitute Tadeo Allende dragged his shot wide from a promising position.
Having played midweek against LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Miami looked leggy, and head coach Javier Mascherano admitted the draw was a hard-fought result.
“We arrived with a heavy load physically and mentally,” said Mascherano. “So not losing is important, too. The positive is we didn’t concede today—we’d let in goals in our last three games. Now we have a full week to rest and prepare, which is a much-needed break after the hectic start of the season.”
Former Inter Miami coach Phil Neville continued his turnaround at the Portland Timbers, guiding them to a 4-2 away win over Sporting Kansas City.
Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy netted twice, with Portland extending their unbeaten run to five matches and moving up to fourth in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew came from behind to defeat St. Louis City 2-1. Brazilian striker João Klauss opened the scoring for the hosts, but Steven Moreira equalised for the Crew with a well-taken side-footed volley.
Uruguayan Diego Rossi sealed the victory in the 55th minute with a low drive from outside the box.
