Inter Miami Clash with Chicago Fire: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Inter Miami faces a packed schedule as the 2025 Major League Soccer regular season enters its final phase.
Following their 1–1 away tie with Toronto FC just three days prior, the Herons are back in action Tuesday evening when they welcome Chicago Fire for a crucial encounter that holds significant implications for both teams as the MLS Cup Playoffs draw near.
Miami needs nothing less than a victory to keep their Supporters' Shield hopes alive, while Chicago continues their quest for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot and could climb as high as fifth place with a triumph in Fort Lauderdale plus another three points against Toronto FC this weekend.
Below is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive match preview.
What Time Does Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire Kick-Off?
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire Head-to-Head Record
Current Form (All Competitions)
Chicago Fire | Inter Miami |
|---|---|
Chicago Fire 2–0 Columbus Crew - 9/27/25 | Toronto FC 0–0 Inter Miami - 9/27/25 |
Minnesota United 0–3 Chicago Fire - 9/20/27 | New York City FC 0–4 Inter Miami - 9/24/25 |
Chicago Fire FC 1–3 New York City - 9/13/25 | Inter Miami 3–2 D.C. United - 9/20/25 |
Chicago Fire 3–2 New England Revolution - 9/6/23 | Inter Miami 3–1 Seattle Sounders - 9/16/25 |
Philadelphia Union 4–0 Chicago Fire - 8/23/25 | Charlotte FC 3–0 Inter Miami - 9/13/25 |
How to Watch Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire on TV
Country | Channel |
|---|---|
United States and Rest of World | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV |
Inter Miami Team News
Inter Miami finds themselves navigating an intense period that will ultimately see them contest nine matches across 21 days. Despite this demanding fixture list, the Herons have maintained their upward trajectory in the table, securing three consecutive victories before Saturday's 1–1 stalemate with Toronto FC.
Manager Javier Mascherano has consistently turned to his experienced star performers and appears set to maintain this approach, having declared it "essential" for the club to secure the best possible seeding for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Though exhaustion and fitness concerns loom for veteran stars Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, who recently revealed his retirement plans, it's clear the Herons have limited alternatives.
Simultaneously, the former FC Barcelona foursome undoubtedly desires maximum playing time together as their illustrious careers approach their conclusion.
For Messi specifically, Tuesday's fixture carries additional importance. He currently leads the MLS Golden Boot standings by a single goal ahead of LAFC's Denis Bouanga, who has been impressive alongside summer acquisition Son Heung-min.
Additionally, the 38-year-old Argentine aims to register his ninth multi-goal performance of the campaign, which would establish a new MLS record, eclipsing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 2019 LA Galaxy season, along with Mamadou Diallo in 2000 and Stern John in 1998.
Victory could elevate Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference, while defeat might drop their points-per-game standing below the top four seeds, which earn home field advantage in the opening round best-of-three series.
Regarding player availability, Miami maintains a largely healthy squad, with only Allen Obando and David Ruiz sidelined through injury, and Mateo Silvetti absent on international duty with Argentina at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. Chicago Fire
Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. Chicago Fire (4-2-3-1): Ustari; Weigandt, Luján, Falcón, Alba; De Paul, Busquets; Segovia, Messi, Rodríguez; Suarez
Chicago Fire FC Team News
Chicago has challenged some of MLS's elite teams throughout the season and will aim to continue this trend during their visit to Miami on Tuesday.
Following their 2–0 triumph over Columbus Crew at the weekend, manager Gregg Berhalter's squad emerged as the probable favorite to host the Eastern Conference Wild Card fixture. However, should they claim victory in this match-in-hand against the Herons, they could even aspire to bypass the Wild Card round entirely.
Chicago's seasonal success has centered around Hugo Cuypers and Philip Zinckernagel, and this duo will likely be pivotal once more against Miami. Cuypers netted his 17th goal of the campaign in the Columbus victory, while Zinckernagel boasts 10 goals and 14 assists in what ranks among the finest offensive campaigns in Fire franchise history.
A victory would also guarantee their first MLS Cup Playoff appearance since 2017 and officially eliminate the New York Red Bulls, ending their remarkable 15-year postseason qualification streak.
Concerning injuries, the Fire will be without Chris Mueller due to cardiac concerns and Viktor Radojević because of a muscular problem.
Chicago Fire FC Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Miami
Chicago Fire FC Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Miami (3-4-3): Brady; Waterman, Elliott, Dean; Barroso, Franco, D'Avilla, Gutman; Bamba, Cuypers, Zinckernagel
Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire Score Prediction
Inter Miami may begin to experience weariness in this encounter, and possess considerably less motivation compared to the Fire.
The fixture will probably feature goals, as neither team has excelled defensively and both possess tremendous attacking quality. Nevertheless, considering the rapid turnaround and the match's significance for both clubs, Chicago might hold a slight advantage.
Score Prediction: Chicago Fire FC 3–2 Inter Miami