When people talk about MLS rivalries, they usually point to Portland-Seattle or the Hudson River Derby. But honestly? If you want pure, unadulterated chaos on a Tuesday night in Fort Lauderdale, you look at Chicago Fire FC vs Inter Miami matches. There is something about these two teams hitting the pitch together that makes tactics go right out the window. It's beautiful and stressful all at once.
Take the game on September 30, 2025. Miami was supposed to be the powerhouse, right? They had Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in the starting XI. They were pushing for the top of the table. Then the Chicago Fire showed up and put five goals past them in their own house. I’m not kidding—a 5-3 scoreline at Chase Stadium. It was the kind of game where you couldn't look away for a second because you’d probably miss a goal or a yellow card.
That wild 5-3 night at Chase Stadium
The most recent showdown between Chicago Fire FC and Inter Miami was basically a fever dream for fans of the "Men in Red." Heading into that match, Chicago hadn't seen the postseason since 2017. The drought was getting painful. But under Gregg Berhalter, who had recently taken the reins, the Fire looked like a different beast.
They started fast. Dje D’Avilla headed home a Maren Haile-Selassie corner in the 11th minute. Most people figured Miami would wake up and crush them, but instead, Jonathan Dean doubled the lead about twenty minutes later. The stadium went quiet.
Then the Suárez show started. He’s a machine, even now. He bagged two goals in the second half, clawing Miami back to a 3-3 tie. You could feel the momentum shifting; it felt like Chicago was going to choke. But then Justin Reynolds, a Homegrown kid from Chicago, pops up in the 80th minute to score his first-ever professional goal. It was a tap-in, but it was the most important tap-in of his life. Brian Gutiérrez added another three minutes later just to put the nail in the coffin.
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- Final Score: 5-3 Chicago.
- The Stakes: Chicago clinched their first playoff berth in eight years.
- The Records: It was Chicago’s ninth road win of the season, a new club record.
The head-to-head history is weirdly lopsided
You'd think a team with Messi, Busquets, and Alba would dominate a club that has struggled for years. But if you look at the Chicago Fire FC vs Inter Miami matches historically, Chicago actually has a slight edge. Since Miami joined the league, the Fire has managed to pull off some massive upsets.
Back in October 2023, they played at Soldier Field in front of over 62,000 people. Messi didn't even play that night, and Chicago absolutely dismantled them 4-1. Xherdan Shaqiri (remember him?) and Maren Haile-Selassie both scored braces.
Then 2024 happened, and Miami got their revenge. They beat Chicago twice that year—once 2-1 and once 4-1. It's like the two teams take turns beating the breaks off each other. There is very little "playing it safe" when these two meet. In April 2025, they did manage a 0-0 draw at Soldier Field, which felt like an anomaly. It was a gritty, defensive slog that frustrated everyone in the 62,358-person crowd.
Key players who always seem to show up
You can't talk about this matchup without mentioning Maren Haile-Selassie. The guy loves playing against Miami. He’s got multiple goals and assists across their last few meetings. He seems to find the gaps in Miami’s backline that nobody else can see.
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On the other side, Luis Suárez is the perennial villain for Chicago fans. He’s recorded multiple braces against them. His positioning is still elite, and he exploits the Fire’s tendency to fall asleep on set pieces.
And then there's Chris Brady, the Fire's young goalkeeper. In that 5-3 win, Miami had 24 shots. 24! Brady had to make 7 saves to keep Chicago in it. He’s 21 years old and playing like he’s been in the league for a decade. Statsbomb actually has him ranked as one of the best in the league for "positional error" metrics, meaning he’s almost always where he needs to be.
What this means for the 2026 season
As we move deeper into 2026, the dynamic is shifting. Inter Miami is coming off an MLS Cup win in 2025, while Chicago is finally proving they can hang with the big boys. The "Berhalter era" in Chicago has brought a level of road-warrior grit that the club hasn't had since the late 90s.
When you look at the Eastern Conference standings from last year, Miami finished 3rd and Chicago squeezed into 8th. The gap is closing. These aren't just "schedule filler" games anymore. They are legitimate clashes of styles: Miami’s star-studded possession game versus Chicago’s high-octane counter-attacking transition.
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Why you should care about the next match
Basically, if you see Chicago Fire FC vs Inter Miami on the calendar, buy the ticket or turn on the TV. It's rarely a boring game. You’re either going to see a masterclass from the greatest players to ever play the game, or you’re going to see a bunch of hungry kids from Chicago pull off a massive upset.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Wings: Most of the goals in this series come from wide areas. Keep an eye on Haile-Selassie and whoever is overlapping for Miami.
- Expect Goals: The average scoreline in their last five meetings is well over 3.5 goals. If you're a betting person, the "Over" is usually a safe-ish bet.
- Check the Lineups: Miami rotates heavily during midweek games. If Messi isn't starting, Chicago's odds of a blowout win skyrocket.
- Follow the Homegrowns: Chicago is leaning hard on local talent like Gutiérrez and Reynolds. Their energy often outlasts Miami's veteran legs in the final 20 minutes.
The rivalry is still young, but the bad blood is starting to simmer. Every time Chicago ruins a Miami trophy run or Miami silences a record crowd at Soldier Field, the stakes for the next meeting get higher. Keep an eye on the July 22, 2026 fixture—it’s shaping up to be another classic.