Inter Miami Secures Victory Despite Own Goal and Messi's Absence
WHO:
MARCA - Head coach Ángel Guillermo Hoyos stated that Messi and De Paul are on vacation following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yahoo Sports - Rocco Ríos Novo started in goal for Inter Miami, marking his first playing time since March 14.
WPLG Local 10 - Luis Suárez celebrated his 100th appearance for Inter Miami during the match.
Daily Mail Sports - Robert Lewandowski signed for the Chicago Fire on June 29.
Daily Mail Sports - Guillermo Hoyos is the manager of Inter Miami.
Yahoo Sports - Inter Miami CF, Chicago Fire, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suárez, Ian Fray, Rocco Ríos Novo, Dayne St. Clair, Puso Dithejane, Preston Plambeck, David Ruiz, Jack Elliott, Chris Brady, Germán Berterame.
WHAT:
Yahoo Sports - Rocco Ríos Novo's own goal occurred in the 18th minute of the match.
MARCA - Luis Suárez scored a brace, contributing to Inter Miami's 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire.
Yahoo Sports - Preston Plambeck scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, marking his first MLS goal.
WPLG Local 10 - Chicago Fire's Puso Dithejane scored his first MLS goal during the match.
Yahoo Sports - Inter Miami's victory over Chicago Fire was their sixth consecutive win.
Daily Mail Sports - Inter Miami has won five straight matches, a streak that began before the six-week hiatus.
Daily Mail Sports - The MLS regular season runs from February 21 to November 7.
Yahoo Sports - Rocco Ríos Novo's own goal occurred 17 and a half minutes into the match.
WPLG Local 10 - Luis Suárez scored his first goal in the 27th minute and his second goal in the 51st minute.
WPLG Local 10 - Chicago's Puso Dithejane scored to equalize the match at 2-2.
WPLG Local 10 - Preston Plambeck scored the game-winning goal in the 87th minute, marking his first MLS goal.
Yahoo Sports - Inter Miami's victory keeps them second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 10-4-2, totaling 34 points.
WPLG Local 10 - The match was a matchup between the second and third place teams in the Eastern Conference.
WPLG Local 10 - Preston Plambeck scored his first MLS goal for Inter Miami during the match.
Yahoo Sports - Inter Miami defeated Chicago Fire 3-2.
WPLG Local 10 - The match featured an own goal by Rocco Ríos Novo, resulting from a pass back from Ian Fray.
WPLG Local 10 - Luis Suárez scored two goals for Inter Miami, one from a penalty kick and another from a backheel assist by Germán Berterame.
WPLG Local 10 - Puso Dithejane scored for Chicago Fire to equalize the match at 2-2.
WPLG Local 10 - Preston Plambeck scored the game-winning goal for Inter Miami in the 87th minute.
WHERE:
Yahoo Sports - The match took place at the home venue of Inter Miami CF.
WHEN:
MARCA - Messi is expected to rejoin training around August 1.
MARCA - Inter Miami will face Atlético San Luis on August 5 in the Leagues Cup.
Yahoo Sports - The match was Inter Miami's first since May 24.
WPLG Local 10 - Robert Lewandowski made his Major League Soccer debut during this match.
WHY:
MARCA - Hoyos emphasized the physical and mental toll of the World Cup on Messi and De Paul, stating they "deserve this time off."
Daily Mail Sports - Guillermo Hoyos emphasized the importance of rest for players like Messi and De Paul, stating, "It's part of an individual's growth and development."
Daily Mail Sports - Hoyos stated that rest is vital for players like Messi and De Paul after their intense World Cup run, emphasizing the need for recovery without a set return date.
WPLG Local 10 - Inter Miami was without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who were given time off after Argentina reached the FIFA World Cup final against Spain.
HOW:
WPLG Local 10 - The match included a hydration break with 15 minutes remaining in the second half.
WPLG Local 10 - The match included a hydration break in the second half due to weather conditions.
WPLG Local 10 - Inter Miami made no substitutions to start the second half due to injuries to key players Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Luján, and Maximiliano Falcón.
Yahoo Sports - Rocco Ríos Novo started in goal for Inter Miami over usual starter Dayne St. Clair due to previous rough performances by St. Clair.
WPLG Local 10 - The match included a hydration break in the second half due to weather conditions.
Inter Miami's head coach Ángel Guillermo Hoyos announced that Messi and De Paul are currently on vacation after the demanding 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing that they "deserve this time off." In a thrilling match, Luis Suárez scored two goals, leading Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire, while Preston Plambeck netted the game-winner in the 87th minute for his first MLS goal. Looking ahead, Messi is expected to rejoin training around August 1, and Inter Miami will take on Atlético San Luis in the Leagues Cup on August 5.