63,094
That was the number of the night. Sixty-three thousand, ninety-four fans were announced at Soldier Field, a Chicago Fire attendance record.
They came to see Lionel Messi. They saw Casemiro.
In the 48th minute, the Argentine swung in a corner, the Brazilian met it with his head, and it was 1-1. It was the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder’s third straight game with a goal since arriving in Florida this summer, and he has quickly become a constant threat from set pieces.
A minute earlier, Noah Allen had cleared German Berterame’s effort off the line. A tasty little twist: Allen had played 90 league matches in Inter Miami colors before being loaned to the Fire last week.
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Lewandowski keeps rolling
Chicago had struck first as early as the 10th minute. Andrew Gutman shifted his feet to shake off Ian Fray, picked out the back post, and Robert Lewandowski lifted his right leg to finish.
Thirty-eight years old. Six goals in nine MLS appearances. A goal in each of his last three matches. The Pole isn’t slowing down.
Robin Lod provided the other assist of the night. Chris Brady, in the Fire goal, made six saves.
Messi denied by Brady
Messi had his moments. Two of them, mainly.
In the 23rd minute, he tried his luck from distance, but Brady had no trouble with it. In the 41st, he skipped past D’Avilla Dje Tah and let fly from the edge of the box. The keeper kept it out. That was the toughest stop of his evening.
Dayne St. Clair, at the other end, had only two shots to deal with.
The draw leaves Inter Miami on 44 points, with 12 wins, 4 defeats and 8 draws. But the club has just one win in its last seven. Chicago, on 39 points with 11 wins, 6 losses and 6 draws, have now strung together four straight stalemates and stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches.
Two sides heading in different directions, with still five points between them.
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