Chicago Fire secured a playoff berth on Tuesday after defeating Inter Miami 5-3 in a match that saw six goals scored after halftime. Luis Suarez netted twice for Miami to tie the game at 3-3, but the hosts could not hold off Chicago's late surge in their sixth match across 17 days. The victory marks Chicago's first postseason appearance since 2017 and validates the hiring of Gregg Berhalter, who lost his position as United States national team coach last year.
Chicago built a 3-1 halftime advantage through goals from Dje D'Avilla, Jonathan Dean, and Rominingue Kouame despite Tomas Aviles pulling one back for Miami. Suarez appeared to rescue a point with strikes in the 57th and 74th minutes, but Justin Pledger Reynolds restored Chicago's lead in the 80th minute. Brian Gutierrez sealed the result three minutes later with a long-range strike that flew into the top corner from 25 yards.
Chicago built a 3-1 halftime advantage through goals from Dje D'Avilla, Jonathan Dean, and Rominingue Kouame despite Tomas Aviles pulling one back for Miami. Suarez appeared to rescue a point with strikes in the 57th and 74th minutes, but Justin Pledger Reynolds restored Chicago's lead in the 80th minute. Brian Gutierrez sealed the result three minutes later with a long-range strike that flew into the top corner from 25 yards.
