Chicago Fire - Inter Miami live: Luis Suarez goal, stats, updates | MLS
Chicago Fire - Inter Miami: Live!
The game's halted momentarily so Suarez can receive medical assistance. The referee's not convinced by his claims of a foul.
And another switch for the hosts. Ariel Lassiter comes on for his Chicago debut, replacing Andrew Gutman.
First changes of the night for Miami.
Gressel and Redondo come off. Cremaschi and Ruiz come on.
Watch: Busquets and Alba combine for Suarez goal
Here it is, Luis Suarez's 16th goal of a brilliant debut campaign in MLS.
Chicago hurl a long throw-in into the box but Drake Callender comes out to claim it well.
He's had very little to do tonight, Callender.
That third goal has extinguished any hope of a comeback and the home crowd are well aware of that fact.
With that goal, Luis Suarez equals the single-season scoring record for Inter Miami. He goes level with a very well-known star who also enjoyed a celebrated career in Europe...
That's the 16th MLS goal of the season for Suarez. Just one goal off the Golden Boot front-runners, Arango and Benteke.
The three ex-Barcelona stars combine for that goal. Busquets clips the ball out to Alba on the left. He cushions a perfect pass across the face of goal and Suarez is on hand to tap the ball home.
As easy as that.
GOOOOAAAAAAL! Luis Suarez
He's done it again. Luis Suarez has his second of the night and Inter Miami have a three-goal lead.
Rafael Czichos
The Chicago defender is booked for that challenge on Redondo.
Superb play from Redondo, spinning on the ball in the midfield and surging towards goal. He tries to slide the ball through to Suarez but is flattened by Rafael Czichos. Free kick Inter Miami.
It's a triple change for Chicago with Koustias, Teran and Acosta all entering.
Navarro, Mueller and Souquet are coming off.
Frank Klopas is readying some substitutions as the hour-mark approaches. Chicago have lost a little momentum.
Federico Redondo
The Miami midfielder is booked for a late challenge on Gutierrez in the midfield.
Sergio Busquets in there in the middle to head the corner kick clear. More good work from the Spaniard.
Chicago aren't given up and come forward down the right with Mueller. He tries to deliver but it's blocked by Busquets.
Corner kick to the hosts...
Watch: Luis Suarez goal doubles Inter Miami lead.
Here it is, Luis Suarez's 15th MLS goal of the season. Question marks over the Chicago defender but nothing questionable about the finish. Ruthless from the Uruguayan.
Good defending from Busquets to block two attempts from Cuypers. Chicago Fire win a corner kick.
The corner falls to the feet of Gutman on the edge of the box but his tame effort bounces wide.
Inter Miami play direct up to Suarez, running into the box again. This time he cuts inside and tries to roll the ball to Gomez but it's intercepted.
Chicago clear an Inter Miami corner kick and have the chance to break. Gutman brings it up-field but he's quickly swamped by Miami defenders and loses the ball.
That goal, so early in the second half, has really punctured the atmosphere at Soldier Field. The Fire had acquitted themselves well in the first half but it's a long way back now.
That's 15 goals for the season for Luis Suarez!
Just two behind Chicho Arango and Christian Benteke in the Golden Boot standings.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL! Luis Suarez
A simple ball forward from Busquets finds Luis Suarez running in behind. The Miami striker runs in on goal and finishing unerringly past Brady!
No changes for either team at the break. Inter Miami start the second half with the ball, playing along the backline.
And we're back.
Inter Miami get the second 45 underway...
Watch: Luis Suarez involved in Inter Miami goal
He's not on the scoresheet, but Luis Suarez had a hand in the opening goal at Soldier Field. The Uruguayan's shot was saved but Brady before being turned into his own net by the unfortunate Arnaud Souquet.
Watch: Sergio Busquets impresses in defence
He looked a little shaky during his first outings in this position, but Sergio Busquets has looked good in the heart of defence this evening. His on-ball qualities are not in doubt but he's done very well defensively, too.
Halftime.
And the hosts run out of time. It's halftime in Chicago, Inter Miami lead 1-0.
Chicago come forward in the final moment of the first half. Inter Miami sit back in a defensive shape.
We're going to have two minutes of added time at Soldier Field.
Ian Fray
The Miami defender is booked for a clumsy challenge on Gutierrez on the halfway line.
Neat touch from Gomez gets Inter Miami streaming forward on the right. Redondo tries to spread the play out to Jordi Alba on the left but his pass is overhit and the ball skips out of play.
A wasted opportunity there for the Herons.
Luis Suarez thinks he's in on goal but he's penalised for a late challenge on Gaston Gimenez. The Fire captain gets gingerly back to his feet to take the free kick on the halfway line.
Elsewhere in MLS, Cincinnati are currently 4-0 up against CF Montreal. Inter Miami will need to win this to retain their cushion at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Chicago play it short to Gutierrez but he can't make space for a shot. The ball drops to Suarez and he plays a nonchalant nutmeg on the edge of his own box. He wins a free kick.
Pure class from Suarez.
Mueller is felled by Bright on the right flank, winning a free kick for his team. A chance for Chicago to deliver from out wide...
Chicago Fire may be behind but they're continuing to cause Miami problems. Mueller is a constant threat down the right with his running, and Cuypers is a real handful in the middle.
This game is far from over.
Neat interplay from Inter Miami on the edge of the box, culminating with a Suarez dummy and a Gomez strike.
The young midfielder hits it well but his effort rises over the bar.
Watch: Inter Miami lead through own goal after Luis Suarez strike
Here it is, the goal that gives Inter Miami a narrow lead at Soldier Field. There wasn't much that poor Arnuad Souquet could do in this position, but it goes down as an own goal.
Brilliantly defended from Busquets to close down Gutierrez on the edge of the box and stop him shooting.
It's been an assured start from Busi in the heart of defence.
Marcelo Weigandt flies up the wing for Miami and stands up a cross to the back post. Jordi Alba connects on the volley but his effort bounces just wide of the post.
Inter Miami getting into their grove now.
Hugo Cuypers
The Fire forward is booked for a late challenge. A bit of frustration there.
Luis Suarez header hits the crossbar.
Nearly a second for Miami. Brilliant corner kick from Gressel and Suarez connects brilliantly in the air but sees his header cannon off the bar
Inter Miami worked the ball to Suarez on the penalty spot and the Uruguayan forced a sharp save from Brady. The keeper parried the ball out but it struck Arnaud Souquet in the six-yard box and cannoned back into his own goal.
Desperately unlucky for the Fire, who have held their own in the opening stages.
GOOOOOAAAAAAL! Inter Miami
The visitors lead in bizarre circumstance!
It'll go down as an own goal after an effort from Luis Suarez. Inter Miami lead!
Great noise from the Chicago Fire support
The home crowd are making themselves heard at Soldier Field and it's translating onto the field. Chicago Fire are looking dangerous still.
Late challenge from Martinez on the halfway line, hauling down Souquet. The Miami man is lucky to avoid a booking.
Chicago looked to be losing their grip on this game but they've battled back admirably. They are posing a real threat on the counter-attack.
More good play from Muller to beat Alba on the right and stand up a cross to the back post. Cuypers can't quite connect and Miami clear.
Hugo Cuypers can't finish from close range.
Dangerous ball from the right from Mueller. He whips it in towards Cuypers but the Chicago forward can't find the target. A big chance missed by the hosts!
There are times when this Inter Miami formation looks a bit stretched. In midfield both Gomez and Redondo like to burst forward, leaving Yannick Bright in an ocean of space in the middle.
If Chicago move swiftly, they can definitely take advantage of that disconnect.
Back to the action, Chicago Fire come forward with Gutman on the left but he's called for an offside.
The Fire fullback has been very willing to get forward in the opening stages. Taking the game to Miami.
Inter Miami are looking to build on an impressive recent run. In their last 11 MLS games, Inter Miami have won nine and lost just one. All without a certain Lionel Messi.
Not too bad...
Clever ball from Busquets up to Suarez but the striker can't control it.
The Herons are starting to take control of possession now, Diego Gomez doing well to link the defence and midfield. Inter Miami come to life.
Gressel misses one-on-one!
Jordi Alba picks up the ball and clips a ball over the top of the Chicago defence for Julian Gressel.
The Miami man latches onto the ball but can't poke his effort past Christopher Brady in goal. Big chance for Gressel!
Inter Miami are struggling to get a hold of the ball in the opening stages, a real rarity for this team.
Sharp interplay from Inter Miami makes space for Luis Suarez in the box but his shot is blocked.
It's Haile-Selassie who takes the corner kick but it's overhit.
The Fire quickly regain possession and Gutman tries to make space for a shot. Good defending from Miami to block the effort.
Another good break finds Haile-Selassie on the right and he wins his team a corner kick.
Inter Miami are under a little pressure from the off here, Chicago pushing high and looking to deliver early to unsettle the visitors. Interesting start here.
Hugo Cuypers does brilliantly to skip clear of Weigandt on the left. He curls in a cross but Martinez flicks it clear.
Good delivery from Chris Mueller from the right for Chicago, looking for Haile-Selassie in the middle. The Fire forward is penalised for a high boot.
And we're off!
Chicago get things underway at Soldier Field...
The players are out!
The two teams are out at Solider Field for this Eastern Conference clash. Can Chicago Fire spring a surprise, or will it be a fourth consecutive MLS win for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami put through their paces
Just minutes to go before kick-off at Soldier Field. Inter Miami are looking to reiterate their status of Supporters' Shield favourites and they come into tonight's game in a real run of form. They will take some stopping.
The Inter Miami captain will not be involved this evening but Lionel Messi is making good progress as he continues his rehabilitation. Footage shows Messi back in practice with teammates this week...
Can Luis Suarez add to incredible 2024 record?
Last time out Luis Suarez made history for Inter Miami, scoring the fastest goal in club history against reigning Supporters' Shield champions FC Cincinnati. Suarez is also closing in on another club record, the single-season goal scoring record.
Suarez has already scored 14 goals and needs just two more to equal Gonzalo Higuain's record.
Kick-off at Soldier Field is drawing closer. As we wait for the players to emerge, here's a look back at what Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham had to say about Lionel Messi earlier this week...
Chicago battered Inter Miami last season
It may seem like a long time ago, but Chicago Fire got the better of this fixture in 2023. With Lionel Messi absent due to injury, Chicago romped to a 4-1 victory over the out-of-form Herons.
Former Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri scored this long-range strike to finish the game off.
Inter Miami is 'like a family', says Weigandt
“I feel very fortunate to be part of this wonderful club. We have an incredible group, which is the most important thing because it feels like a family."
"We live together every day, and our strong bond makes everything easier. On the field, we communicate well and understand each other’s movements intuitively.
Barbecue weather in Chicago
The scene is set at Soldier Field and local fans are preparing themselves for this MLS clash between Chicago Fire and Inter Miami. The Fire managed a dramatic late leveller last weekend, can they pull off a shock tonight?
Inter Miami arrive at Soldier Field
Herons in the house. Inter Miami's team arrive in Chicago ahead of tonight's game, looking to continue their incredible recent form.
Anyone who watched a barely-fit Luis Suarez hobble through Inter Miami's pre-season friendlies would have had serious doubts about the Uruguayan's prospects for 2024. And yet class, it seems, is permanent.
Suarez has been a star for Miami, shouldering the goal-scoring burden while Lionel Messi has been sidelined. Suarez may be playing the final season of his career but he could be in the record books once again.
And here's a look at the Inter Miami team news
No major surprises for the Herons, although head coach Tata Martino does welcome back Julian Gressel in the starting XI. Still no Lionel Messi, due to injury.
Starting XI for Chicago Fire against Miami
Here's the team named by Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas as his side look to pull off a shock against in-form Inter Miami.
The Inter Miami captain returned to team practice this week and is now training alongside his teammates. However, Lionel Messi will not be rushed back and he misses out this evening.
Inter Miami look to strengthen Supporters' Shield lead
The Herons have already booked their place in the post-season but there's still plenty to play for. Securing No. 1 seed would give them a real advantage in the post-season, and they are still looking to wrap up the Supporters' Shield.
We'll bring you confirmed team news very shortly. One thing we do know, however, is that Lionel Messi will be playing no part against Chicago. Here's what head coach Gerardo Martino had to say about Messi's recovery...
Busy evening of MLS fixtures
Inter Miami's trip to Chicago Fire will be our main focus here, but it's just one of many games taking place in MLS this evening.
Elsewhere, Charlotte FC host Atlanta United in a burgeoning southern rivalry, while Columbus Crew look to follow up their Leagues Cup triumph against NYC FC.
Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we'll be bringing you full live coverage of Chicago Fire - Inter Miami in MLS.
I'm Will Gittins, and I'll be bringing you all of this evening's action. Away we go!