Lionel Messi collected his league-leading 13th assist when he set up Carlos Casemiro for the equalizer early in the second half, and Inter Miami tied the Chicago Fire 1-1 on Wednesday night at Soldier Field.
Miami (12-4-8) evened the score three minutes into the second half when Messi sent the ball Casemiro’s way off a free kick for his third goal in his eighth MLS appearance. Casemiro’s goals have come on headers in three straight matches.
The Fire (11-6-6) jumped in front in the 10th minute on a goal by Robert Lewandowski — his sixth in his first nine MLS matches. Defender Andrew Gutman picked up his sixth assist and Robin Lod notched his fourth as the Fire took the lead into halftime.
Chris Brady had six saves for the Fire. Brady made a diving save on a shot by Germán Berterame in the 16th minute — one of three first-half saves to keep the Fire in front.
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Dayne St. Claire saved two shots for Miami, which has gone 1-2-4 since the start of August.
It was a fourth straight draw for the Fire during a seven-match unbeaten streak. They are 7-3-1 at home.
Messi also has 18 goals and is the first player in league history with 30-plus goal contributions in three separate seasons.
Miami started the day in second place in the Eastern Conference, 10 points behind Nashville. Messi and company are trying to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the 2011-12 Los Angeles Galaxy.
Up next
Miami hosts Nashville on Saturday.
The Fire host the New England Revolution on Sunday.