Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Chicago Fire: No Great Messi Magic, Sad Fans 2025

Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Chicago Fire, Inter Miami CF faced Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field in a Major League Soccer (MLS) matchup that ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw. Lionel Messi, despite striking the woodwork twice with pinpoint free-kicks, couldn’t break the deadlock, and Gregg Berhalter’s Chicago side held firm. The result saw Inter Miami cede their lead in the Eastern Conference, falling four points behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. For fans searching for Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire, this article dives into individual performances, key moments, and what the stalemate means for Miami’s season.

Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Chicago Fire: Messi Hits Woodwork Twice in Scoreless Draw as Herons Slip in East

The Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire tell the story of a match where opportunities went begging. Miami, unbeaten through seven MLS games in 2025, controlled 58% of possession but managed only two shots on target. Messi’s free-kicks in the 62nd and 75th minutes rattled the crossbar, while Luis Suárez saw a late goal disallowed for offside. Chicago Fire, led by Berhalter’s disciplined tactics, threatened through Hugo Cuypers, Jonathan Bamba, and Philip Zinckernagel, but Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari’s seven saves ensured a clean sheet. Chris Brady matched him with three saves for Chicago, keeping Messi at bay early.

This was Miami’s first shutout of the season, following a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC the previous week. The Herons’ early-season momentum has slowed, making this a critical moment to assess their form.

Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Chicago Fire: Breaking Down the Performances

Here’s how Inter Miami’s players fared in this scoreless clash:

Goalkeeper & Defense

Oscar Ustari (9/10)
Ustari tops the Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire with a commanding display. His seven saves, including a late stop on Bamba, preserved the point. A veteran presence Miami leaned on heavily.
Noah Allen (7/10)
Stepping in for Jordi Alba, Allen was defensively solid, winning 3/4 tackles. He didn’t push forward much, but his reliability earned praise.
Tomas Aviles (7/10)
Aviles anchored the backline with composure, completing 89% of his passes. His game-reading ability stood out.
Maxi Falcon (5/10)
Falcon’s positioning faltered, exposing Miami at times. He recovered well in duels but needs sharper awareness.
Gonzalo Lujan (6/10)
Lujan won 5/7 duels and held his flank defensively, though his attacking output was limited.

Midfield

Benjamin Cremaschi (5/10)
A subpar night for Cremaschi, who completed just 78% of his passes and struggled with the final ball. He faded in midfield battles.
Federico Redondo (6/10)
Redondo excelled defensively alongside Busquets, winning 4/5 tackles, but lacked influence going forward.
Sergio Busquets (7/10)
Busquets dictated play with 92% pass accuracy, offering calm amid the storm. A linchpin in Miami’s setup.

Attack

Telasco Segovia (4/10)
Segovia was ineffective, losing possession 12 times and offering little in his 60 minutes. A low mark in the Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire.
Luis Suárez (5/10)
Suárez’s hold-up play was strong, but an early yellow card and a missed chance hurt his rating. His disallowed goal was a near-miss.
Lionel Messi (6/10)
Messi dazzled with 5/7 dribbles and two woodwork-hitting free-kicks, yet couldn’t convert. His creativity kept Miami alive.

Key Moments That Shaped the Draw

The Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire hinge on these pivotal moments:

Messi’s Early Test (4th Minute)
Messi forced a sharp save from Brady, hinting at his intent.
Free-Kick Drama (62nd Minute)
Messi’s curling free-kick struck the crossbar, leaving fans stunned.
Second Woodwork Hit (75th Minute)
Another Messi set-piece hit the bar, amplifying Miami’s frustration.
Suárez Denied (85th Minute)
VAR ruled out Suárez’s goal for offside, a tight call that cost Miami.
Ustari’s Heroics (88th Minute)
A reflex save on Bamba sealed Ustari’s standout night.

Tactical Takeaways: Where Miami Fell Short

Javier Mascherano’s 4-3-3 aimed for control, but Miami’s attack lacked punch. Busquets and Redondo dominated midfield possession, yet Cremaschi’s struggles and Segovia’s invisibility stifled progression. Messi dropped deep to create, but Chicago’s compact 4-4-2, led by Jack Elliott and Carlos Teran, neutralized open-play threats. Miami’s reliance on Messi’s set-pieces—while nearly effective—exposed a need for alternative scoring routes.

What Fans Are Saying

Post-match reactions flooded social media. “Messi was so unlucky—those free-kicks deserved better,” one fan posted. Another noted, “Ustari saved us, but our attack needs work.” The Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire fueled debate, with Ustari hailed and Segovia critiqued. Despite the draw, Miami’s unbeaten run offers optimism.

Impact on Inter Miami’s Season

This result drops Miami to second in the Eastern Conference, trailing Vancouver by four points. With two draws in a row, their Supporters’ Shield chase has hit a bump. The upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal against Vancouver on April 23 looms, and the MLS clash with Columbus Crew SC on April 20 will test their bounce-back ability. Miami’s depth and adaptability will be key.

Conclusion

The Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire highlight a team of contrasts—defensive resilience from Ustari and flashes of brilliance from Messi, offset by attacking woes. This scoreless draw on April 13, 2025, underscores the need for sharper finishing and tactical flexibility. As Miami navigates a busy schedule, fans will hope this is a blip, not a trend. What’s your take on the Herons’ performance? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned for more MLS coverage!

Lionel Messi hits the crossbar off the free kick for Inter Miami! pic.twitter.com/D3Nnc3O8EA

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) April 13, 2025

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Why didn’t Messi score against Chicago Fire?
Messi hit the woodwork twice from free-kicks and was denied by Brady early, with Chicago’s defense limiting his open-play impact.
Who was Miami’s standout player?
Oscar Ustari’s 9/10 rating in the Inter Miami player ratings vs Chicago Fire reflects his seven saves and match-saving heroics.
How did Suárez perform?
Suárez earned a 5/10, impactful in hold-up play but hindered by a yellow card and an offside call on his late goal.
What’s next for Inter Miami?
They face Columbus Crew SC on April 20, then Vancouver in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal on April 23.
Is Miami still in contention for the Supporters’ Shield?
Yes, their unbeaten streak keeps them in the hunt, though they trail Vancouver by four points.