FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Defender Jordi Alba scored two minutes after Chicago tied the game in the second half to lift Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over the Fire on Saturday night.
Rookie Matias Rojas scored for the fourth time this season to give Inter Miami (16-4-5) a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute. Robert Taylor picked up his fourth assist and 20-year-old defender Tomas Aviles got his first of the season and second of his two-year career. It was Rojas' seventh start and 10th appearance of the campaign.
Miami was again without Lionel Messi, who suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during Argentina's win over Colombia in the Copa America final. However, Messi, wearing a boot on his right foot, was in attendance at Chase Stadium and was honored on the field before the game after winning the 45th title of his career.
“Tonight we celebrate something we've never seen before and possibly will never see again,” Miami owner and general manager Jorge Mas said, addressing the crowd. “Tonight we celebrate a great milestone for our captain Leo Messi as he becomes the footballer who has lifted the most trophies in the history of the sport.
“And I'm sure he won't stop at 45; we hope he can raise many more in the future.
“What Lionel Messi has as a leader is that he elevates everyone around him and is an example for the young players in the Inter Miami youth academy and an example for the future, of leadership and of a man who can continue to open new chapters in football.”
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Chicago (6-12-7) trailed until defender Rafael Czichos capitalized on Gaston Gimenez's third assist of the season in the 75th minute to score his first goal of the season and sixth in his three years in the league.
The tie lasted until Alba scored an unassisted left-footed shot from the left side of the box in the 77th minute. It was Alba's fourth goal this season and his fifth in 22 starts and 27 appearances in his two seasons with the club.
Drake Callender finished with four saves in goal for Inter Miami. Chris Brady stopped seven shots for the Fire. Callender needed to make just one save to keep the Fire off the scoreboard in the first half. Brady had four saves before halftime to keep Chicago close.
Chicago knocked FC Cincinnati out of first place in the Supporters' Shield race with a 1-0 road win on Wednesday.
Inter Miami has a 2-4-1 record against the Fire.
The league will take a one-month break for the Leagues Cup. Inter Miami, which leads the league with 53 points at the break, will host FC Cincinnati on Aug. 24 when competition resumes. The Fire will travel to play New York City FC on Aug. 24.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
