Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski both made their mark as Inter Miami were held to a 1-1 draw by Chicago Fire in front of a record crowd of 63,094 at Soldier Field on Thursday.
The attendance surpassed the previous record for a meeting between the two sides last season, with fans turning out in large numbers to watch two of the biggest stars of the modern game go head-to-head in Major League Soccer.
Lewandowski gave Chicago the lead in the 10th minute, putting the hosts in front early and ensuring Fire went into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Inter Miami responded after the break and eventually found the equalizer through Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder headed home from a well-delivered corner by Messi to bring the visitors level.
The assist took Messi's season tally to 13, while the Argentine has also scored 18 goals. He became the first player in MLS history to register more than 30 goal contributions in three separate seasons.
Miami pushed for a winner in the closing stages and created several opportunities, but Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady kept the hosts in the game with an outstanding display. Brady made six saves, denying Miami on multiple occasions.
Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos praised Brady after the match.
"There were no issues with our attack. For me, their goalkeeper was the man of the match."
Hoyos felt his side had created enough chances to claim all three points.
"We created chances from various positions, but their goalkeeper did his job exceptionally well."
"The boys played very well—I’d say they played extraordinarily well. We just didn't get the result we deserved," he added.
The draw leaves Miami nine points behind Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC, who have 53 points from 24 matches. Miami have collected 44 points.
The result was particularly frustrating for Miami because Nashville had lost to Toronto FC earlier in the day, giving Messi and his teammates an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the standings.
Miami will face Nashville on September 13 in what could be an important fixture in the race for the top positions.
The Herons, however, enter that match in poor form. Since the beginning of August, they have managed just one win in seven matches, alongside two draws and four defeats.
