Overview
- Inter Miami beat Chicago Fire 3-2 on Thursday, recovering from an 18th-minute own goal when goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo misplayed a backpass that rolled into the net.
- Luis Suárez captained the side in Messi's absence and scored twice, netting in the 27th minute from a penalty and again in the 51st to put Miami ahead.
- Twenty-year-old academy midfielder Preston Plambeck came off the bench to score the 87th-minute winner, his first MLS goal that completed the comeback.
- Robert Lewandowski made his Chicago Fire debut and played about 62 minutes before being substituted, with the club's staff saying he will need time to integrate into the team.
- The result keeps Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Nashville SC, and highlights how veteran leaders and academy talent are shouldering minutes while Messi rests and injuries persist.