Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami: Match Preview and Prediction

April 13, 2025. 23:30. Chicago.
MLS

Chicago Fire - Inter Miami (Miami, USA)

On Sunday, windy Chicago will host sunny Inter Miami in a match that promises to be not just hot, but a true football barbecue. Both teams are accustomed to playing openly, without unnecessary caution, and it seems that defense is more of a suggestion than an obligation for them. On the pitch will be young talents as well as world stars, and Leo Messi is, as always, ready to work his magic even in the heart of the metropolis.

Chicago Fire

If anyone hasn't noticed yet, there's a new sheriff in Chicago, and his name is Gregg Berhalter. The former US national team coach has decided that it’s better to lose beautifully than to win boringly, so the Fire now plays in a true "attack mode," even if the defense sometimes looks leaky after a visit to a grandmother’s house for dumplings. But the results didn’t take long to appear—after seven rounds, the team is already in the playoff zone, albeit occupying a modest last position among the fortunate ones in the East.

Chicago now resembles a film with an unexpected ending: they have scored 14 goals but conceded 12, giving fans moments of both anxiety and joy. At home, at Soldier Field, they have yet to taste victory—just two hard-fought draws against DC United and CF Montreal. Especially painful is the memory of points lost after taking the lead: the Fire have opened the scoring three times but managed not to win, leaving seven precious points on the pitch. Last season, they also struggled against Florida teams— their only stalemate with Orlando City was, perhaps, a ray of sunshine in the rainy state. However, with this style, Chicago is on the verge of becoming the most entertaining show in MLS.

Inter Miami

In 2025, Inter Miami continues to delight fans not only with their eye-catching play but also with their ability to come back in matches when even commentators start to count them out. Javier Mascherano's team has made comebacks their trademark—true experts at "rewinding" the game. In the last round, they once again conceded first but still managed to secure a draw. Already four points this season have come after the opponents opened the scoring. Even in the opening round against New York City, they managed to save face, clinching a 2:2 after a faltering second half. The same situation played out against Toronto.

A fresh example of their character is the victory over Los Angeles in the CONCACAF Champions League. After trailing from the first leg, they calmly turned it around and even more—scoring three in response (3:1) and confidently advancing to the semifinals, where they will face Canadian opponents.

In MLS, the situation is even more intriguing: the average points per game stand at 2.33, better than last year's record campaign. Away from home, the Herons currently play like they’re at home: four consecutive victories, including impressive wins in Houston (4:1) and Atlanta (2:1). Moreover, historically, Inter Miami has beaten Chicago in both past encounters. All signs point to success for Mascherano and Messi's crew.

Chicago Fire - Inter Miami: Predicted Line-ups

At Chicago Fire, it’s not just a fire in attack; there’s also a mini medical unit on the bench. A total of six players may miss the upcoming match: Sam Rogers, Jack Elliott, David Poreba, Brian Gutierrez, Chase Gasper, and Leonardo Barroso—all with lower body complaints. It seems that training in Chicago involves either weights or skating. Additionally, Jonathan Dean has torso issues (yes, torso—this is the official version), and Chris Mueller is still on parental leave after welcoming a new family member. It’s said that the only thing he’s pressing right now is diapers.

Despite all this, the Fire do have some bright spots: Jonathan Bamba finally opened his scoring account for the club in the last round, and Rominig Kuame received his first starting chance—his third consecutive appearance. Some might say it’s not a breakthrough, but we’d argue that in 2025, even a starting appearance is a step forward for Chicago.

On the other hand, Inter Miami has its own concerns: in the match against Toronto, David Martinez (groin issues), David Ruiz (hamstring pain), and Tadeo Aliende (calf troubles) didn’t play. However, goalkeeper Drake Callender made his first start of the season after a long layoff. Meanwhile, in the midweek CONCACAF Cup match, veteran Oscar Ustari was in goal—a rotation not inferior to your average highway car wash.

And of course, the main star of the show—Leo Messi. Three goals in the last two matches: he equalized against Toronto and scored the decisive goal in the Champions League, where Federico Redondo also shone. And if you think that the name Redondo sounds familiar—you’re right. It’s the son of the same Fernando who, back in the '90s, was turning defensive midfielders like croissants at a café. And now the son is in the game. And not just in the game—alongside Messi is fate, football irony, and a bit of magic.

Chicago Fire - Inter Miami: Author's Prediction

A true football saga in MLS style is expected: Chicago Fire host Inter Miami, and it’s Hollywood all over again—lots of stars, drama, goals, and of course, injuries. The Fire love to attack but also don’t mind giving their opponents a chance: they have scored 14 goals but conceded nearly as many—12. Their philosophy is simple: “As long as it’s fun.” At home, they’ve yet to secure a win, but they’re certainly scoring.

Meanwhile, the guests from Miami boast a chief conductor of the orchestra—Leo Messi, who either scores or assists in every match. Inter regularly concedes but almost always replies with more. They are gaining momentum, remaining unbeaten, and taking shots from all positions. Both teams struggle to play "to nil" but certainly know how to entertain the spectators. Prediction: both teams will score, and the total will be over 2.5—like a good cup of coffee in the morning, it’s almost guaranteed.