FORT LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami CF carries a 43-point season into Soldier Field on Wednesday night to face a Chicago Fire FC squad bolstered by summer signing Robert Lewandowski, with both clubs jockeying for position near the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami (12W-4L-7D) sits second in the Eastern Conference with 42 points after a 2-2 draw at home against Atlanta United FC on Saturday night at Nu Stadium. Midfielder Casemiro and forward Luis Suárez scored the goals in that match. Chicago Fire FC (11W-6L-5D, 38 points) holds third place and enters on a six-match unbeaten run.
The headline matchup pits Messi, the reigning MLS Landon Donovan MVP Award and Golden Boot winner, against Lewandowski, who has tallied five goals and two assists in his first eight MLS appearances since arriving as a summer signing. Messi leads Inter Miami with 18 goals and 12 assists this regular season and is tied for the lead among the league’s top scorers.
Midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Telasco Segovia have each contributed 10 assists for Inter Miami this season. Chicago’s attack has been led by forward Maren Haile-Selassie, who has recorded seven goals and eight assists.
Wednesday’s contest will be the 12th meeting between the clubs in their history. Inter Miami holds a 4-5-2 record in the series but secured a 3-2 win at home in July in the first 2026 regular season matchup. Chicago played out a 4-4 draw on the road against Toronto FC in its most recent outing.
Kickoff at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.