ESPN News Services have confirmed that Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi rallied from a goal down at Soldier Field in Chicago for a 1-1 draw against Robert Lewandowski and the Fire in front of 63,094 fans, besting the club's home attendance record set last season in the same matchup. The draw was a result of a trademark acrobatic goal in the 10th minute by Ex- Bayern Munich and Barcelona star Lewandowski, giving the Fire an early lead.
However, Inter Miami drew level shortly after halftime when Casemiro headed home a Messi cross from a corner kick to make it 1-1. The assist was Messi's league-leading 13th of the season, and he also has 18 goals and is the first player in MLS history with 30-plus goal contributions in three separate seasons. With league-leaders Nashville SC losing to Toronto FC earlier in the day, the chance was there for either Miami or Chicago to cut into the lead at the top of the table, but some stellar goalkeeping from home goalkeeper Chris Brady down the stretch saw the game end in a draw. The Fire have the chance to leapfrog the New England Revolution from fourth into third in their head-to-head matchup this weekend.