Chicago Fire drop heartbreaker to Inter Miami 3-2

A late winner by Rodolfo Pizarro powered Inter Miami to a 3-2 win over the Chicago Fire Wednesday night at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

It was a tight, back-and-forth game that might have gone either way. The difference? Miami’s designated players delivered, and Chicago’s did not.

“At the end of the day, we beat ourselves,” Fire coach Raphael Wicky said.

Miami went up 1-0 off a goal by Indiana Vassilev in the 34th minute. The Fire responded six minutes later off a corner kick, with Francisco Calvo heading in a ball by Luka Stojanović to make it 1-1.

Stojanović gave Chicago a 2-1 lead early in the second half with his seventh goal of the season—a nice one touch blast off a pass from Stanislav Ivanov, who got the start alongside Robert Berić up top. Berić was back in the starting lineup for the first time in several matches, but was subbed off midway through the second half after another quiet performance.

Miami equalized in the 62nd minute, when Robbie Robinson slotted home a sensational assist from Miami designated player Gonzalo Higuain. Then it was heartbreak for the Fire in the 93rd minute. Gastón Giménez, who was otherwise solid on the night, failed to clear a ball, letting it go out for a throw in.

After the throw, Higuain dribbled into Chicago’s defense, opening up space for his teammates. He played Victor Ulloa, who sent the ball over to Pizarro for the late winner, beating Bobby Shuttleworth.

“We gave three goals away, and I don’t think we gave up that many chances,” Wicky said, clearly bothered his team failed to close out the game. “It’s those moments where we have to make better decisions.”

The Fire will fly to Orlando tonight in preparation for a match with Orlando City this Saturday.

Chicago Fire FC: GK Shuttleworth, D Terán (Omsberg 90’+1’), D Pineda, D Calvo ©, M Espinoza, M Herbers, M Giménez, M Stojanović (Medrán 90’+1’), M Bornstein (Navarro 75’), F Berić (Offor 68’), F Ivanov (Collier 68’)

Subs not used: GK G. Slonina, D Sekulić, D Kappelhof, M Gutiérrez

Inter Miami CF: GK Marsman, D Gibbs (Shea 64’), D Makoun, D Figal, D Gonzalez Pirez, M Morgan, M Matuidi (Ulloa 77’) , M Silva ©, F G. Higuain, F Robinson (Carranza 77’), F Vassilev (Pizarro 63’)

Subs not used: GK McCarthy, D Leerdam, D Guediri, M Chapman, M F. Higuain

Stats Summary: IMCF / CHI

Shots: 12 / 8

Shots on Goal: 4 / 3

Passing Accuracy: 84.3% / 81.7%

Saves: 1 / 1

Corners: 6 / 2

Fouls: 17 / 16

Offsides: 1 / 1

Possession: 54% / 46%