Aleksei Miranchuk's stunning late goal salvaged a 2-2 draw for Atlanta United, ending Inter Miami's winning streak.

The visitors brought Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez off the bench in the second half but were unable to make it six wins on the bounce.

Miami had the better of the first half, with Julian Gressel forcing Brad Guzan into an acrobatic save before David Ruiz snuck in behind the hosts' defence to slot a lovely low shot into the bottom-right corner.

In the 56th minute, Saba Lobjanidze met Pedro Amador's whipped cross with a thumping header, nodding it through Drake Callender's legs, and the keeper arguably should have done better.

But just three minutes later, Miami were back in front – Leonardo Campana's free-kick from just outside the box took a huge deflection off the wall, giving the keeper no chance.

Messi led the search for a late third, with his low shot palmed away by Guzan straight into Suarez's path, but Amador was perfectly placed on the line to block it.

Atlanta then went straight up the other end, with Miranchuk floating a wonderful shot into the top-left corner after cutting inside from the right before Lobjanidze's late effort deflected off Ian Fray onto the post.

Miami are now eight points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference, while Atlanta sit in 11th. 

Data Debrief: Campana makes Miami history

Campana may have got a bit of luck with his goal due to a wicked deflection, but he will not care one bit, as that strike was his 30th goal for Miami.

He now becomes the outright all-time leading scorer for the club, overtaking Gonzalo Higuain, though Messi is just three behind him.

Lionel Messi is confident that Inter Miami can clinch the title, with a trip to Atlanta United next up for the Eastern Conference leaders.

The Argentine made his long-awaited return from injury in their 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union, having a hand in all three goals as they opened up a 10-point lead over FC Cincinnati in the table.

It was their fifth consecutive win following their heavy 6-1 loss to Cincinnati, and Messi acknowledged how well the team had performed amid some injury troubles this season.

"As we said at the beginning, we know the squad we have, and the title is our goal," he told Apple TV. "We're realistic and take responsibility for it.

"Unfortunately, we've had a lot of bad luck with injuries this year and were never at full strength for one reason or another. We were always missing players, but the team always managed to push through."

On his own return from an ankle problem he sustained playing in the Copa America final, he said: "It was a lot of time off the field. Little by little, I found myself with the group. I felt good, and that's why we decided that I would start. I am very happy."

Meanwhile, Atlanta are down in 10th on 31 points, half of Miami's own points tally, though they did shock the Herons in their last meeting, beating them 3-1 on the road.

They have won just once since the return of MLS action following the Leagues Cup break though – a narrow 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC – and lost last time out at home to Nashville SC.

The Five Stripes were outplayed on Saturday, and midfielder Ajani Fortune has urged his team-mates to show more of a fight when they meet Miami on Wednesday.

"We will change the little things, like the work rate and stuff like that, but we look to keep fighting," he said.

"I think that's the biggest thing we were missing [against Nashville], so once we have that, we'll be in a better spot to perform."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze  

Saba Lobjanidze had recorded at least one assist in three consecutive home appearances, but that run came to an end against Nashville.

Indeed, nine of his 12 goal contributions this season have come at home, including all six assists.

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi was straight back into the action for Miami after an eight-game absence, scoring twice and assisting one against Philadelphia last time out.

He has now netted 27 goals for the Herons, and another brace against Atlanta would draw him level with their all-time leading goalscorers, Gonzalo Higuain and Leonardo Campana.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami are currently on a five-match winning streak in MLS, scoring 14 goals in that run. They have actually netted in each of their last 14 matches; however, they have struggled for clean sheets, only keeping one in their last 13 games in the competition.

Atlanta have proven a thorn in Miami's side over the years and have won their last two matches against the Herons, including that 3-1 victory at Chase Stadium in May. Indeed, they have only failed to beat Miami in four of their previous meetings (W5 D3).

Atlanta have won only two of their last 11 regular season home matches (D3 L5) dating back to the beginning of April, while they have won just two of their last eight outings in MLS (D1 L5). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 28.6%

Draw – 24.4%

Inter Miami – 47%

Lionel Messi led Inter Miami's comeback, getting a brace and an assist on his return from injury in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union.

The Argentine had been out with an ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America final, but he slotted straight back into the line-up after an eight-match absence.

Philadelphia made a dream start against the Eastern Conference leaders, with Mikael Uhre latching onto a loose clearance from Tomas Aviles before coolly slotting in from the edge of the D after just 58 seconds.

Messi got his first goal in the 26th minute, with Luis Suarez cushioning the ball to him before he rounded the defender to level the score.

He then gave Miami the lead just four minutes later – Alba, in acres of space down the left, squared it to Messi for a first-time finish through Jack Elliott's legs.

Suarez thought he had scored a third just after the break with a lovely bending effort into the near post, only to be denied by a tight offside in the build-up.

But he would get his goal in the 98th minute, with Messi unselfishly setting him up instead of going for a hat-trick, and the Uruguayan swept it into the back of the net.

Miami now have a 10-point lead over FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia sit in 11th place.

Data Debrief: Back with a bang

Miami have not exactly been missing Messi during his injury absence, with Suarez, who netted his 17th goal of the season this game, picking up the goalscoring mantle in the meantime, but it was a welcome return nonetheless. 

The 37-year-old became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 15 goals and 15 assists, doing so in 19 games. Sebastian Giovinco previously held the record (29 matches).

Miami head coach Gerardo Martino is hoping Luis Suarez's influence can inspire the team to victory once again when they welcome Philadelphia Union to Chase Stadium.

The Herons have already clinched an MLS playoff place and recorded an impressive 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire last time out.

Suarez scored twice in his last two matches, propelling Miami to 59 points on top of the Eastern Conference, and Martino has been impressed with how the Uruguayan has led the line.

"Luis was probably the best player on the field [against Chicago], but I don't want to focus only on the goals because that is normal for him," he said.

"I prefer to focus on his game as a whole, the ball circulation and all the passes to midfielders and, because of that, we can play in other parts of the field. He did that very well."

Miami have been without talisman Lionel Messi since MLS action returned due to an ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America final, but Julian Gressel believes he could be back soon.

"It's nice to see [Messi] back out there," Gressel told the Player/Manager podcast. "If you can add a guy like that after what we've done over the past two months, it's certainly going to be an interesting kind of finish to the end here."

Meanwhile, Philadelphia are 11th in the standings but got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over New York Red Bulls last time out.

Head coach Jim Curtin was pleased to grind out the win but believes there are still improvements to be made.

"We were all disappointed with losing to a very strong Columbus team, but I had a good response [against New York RB]," Curtin said.

"I think big picture wise, if you look at the first 15 minutes of [the New York] game, that's us at our best. We have it in us, and now the challenge is to sustain it for all 90."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Luis Suarez

Since the return of MLS action following the Leagues Cup break, Suarez has been running defences riot, scoring braces against both Cincinnati and Chicago Fire.

Against the Fire last weekend, he had the most shots (nine), shots on target (five), big chances (three) and touches in the opposition box (10), proving a constant threat in just under 80 minutes.

Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre

Mikael Uhre returned to the scoresheet against the New York Red Bulls last time out, netting his seventh goal of the season, the joint-second-highest tally in the team this season.

He is also known for his creative ability though, as his assist for Tai Baribo was his fifth of the campaign, with only Kai Wagner playing on more.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami have recorded wins in each of their last two matches against the Union in all competitions. The Herons had won just two of their first eight all-time matches against Philadelphia (D2 L4).

Miami are just the second team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to record 15 wins in a span of 19 matches in a single regular season (after Seattle Sounders in 2018). No team in the post-shootout era has won 16 times in a span of 20 matches within a single regular season.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia snapped a four-match regular-season road losing streak with a 2-0 win at the Red Bulls on August 31. Those four losses are the Union's only road defeats of the regular season in 2024 (W4 D5).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 51.8%

Draw – 24.6%

Philadelphia Union – 23.6%

Luis Suarez has announced he will retire from international football after Uruguay's World Cup qualifier versus Paraguay on Friday.

Suarez is Uruguay's all-time leading goalscorer, having netted 69 times in 142 appearances, with only Diego Godin (161) winning more caps for La Celeste.

The striker helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and win their 15th Copa America title in 2011, being named Player of the Tournament as he scored four goals including the opener in the final – a 3-0 victory over Paraguay.

Suarez will face the same opponents in his final international match on Saturday as Marcelo Bielsa's team look to build on a return of 13 points from their first six games in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification process.

"I've been thinking about this and analysing this. I believe this is the right time," a tearful Suarez told reporters on Monday.

"I want to be relaxed when I play my last game with the national team. I'll be just as excited to play as I was in 2007 when I played for my national team for the first time.

"That 19-year old kid is now a veteran player, an older player, however you want to call it, with an incredible history with the national team, that will give his life for the team."

Suarez was memorably sent off for a handball on the goal line to deny Ghana a winning goal as La Celeste won the teams' 2010 World Cup quarter-final on penalties, while he missed the 2015 Copa America after receiving a nine-match ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

"We did go through difficult moments. There were many," he added. "Personally, it was worse for me after my massive mistake in 2014.

"But there's nothing that I would reproach."

The 37-year-old played a limited role as Uruguay took the bronze medal at this year's Copa, making four substitute appearances with Darwin Nunez predominantly leading the line.

Suarez did, however, net a stoppage-time equaliser to take the third-place play-off versus Canada to penalties, also converting from the spot as Uruguay triumphed 4-3 in the subsequent shoot-out.

He has 16 goals in 20 MLS outings for Inter Miami this year, with only Christian Benteke and Cristian Arango (17 each) ahead of him in the Golden Boot race.

Luis Suarez scored two and orchestrated another as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-1 win over Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on Saturday.

His shot led to the opening own goal before his second-half double put the game out of reach as Miami stretched their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to nine points. 

Suarez played a neat one-two with Diego Gomez to set up a strike from the edge of the box, and though Chris Brady did well to save it, he pushed it straight against Tobias Salquist, who chested it over the line 25 minutes in.

The Uruguayan thumped a free header against the bar minutes later, but finally got his reward just after the break – he raced in behind before slotting a neat shot in at the near post.

Alba then picked him out for his second in the 65th minute, fizzing a low cross into the six-yard box for him to guide past Brady.

Gomez was unlucky from distance as his drilled shot hit the inside of the post before Georgios Koutsias' instinctive close-range finish beat Drake Callender.

Substitute Robert Taylor then rounded off the scoring with a lovely first-time finish in stoppage time.

Data Debrief: Suarez continues to step up in Messi's absence

Miami have now been without their talisman Lionel Messi for three months due to the Copa America and an ankle injury, but Suarez has proven once again that they still pose a threat without him.

He has scored four times from a total of 12 shots since MLS resumed, with nine of those coming in this game. 

The 37-year-old ran the show, leading the team in expected goals (1.4), shots on target (five), touches in the box (eight) and big chances (four).

The target is clear for Inter Miami this season, and that is to win MLS Cup, so says goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Miami clinched their place in the playoffs thanks to a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati, with Luis Suarez on target.

The Herons have taken 56 points in MLS this season, and are eight points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.

And with Lionel Messi still yet to return to full fitness, Miami are setting their sights on MLS Cup glory.

Callender said: "Of course, our goals are set super high and our standards are set super high.

"We want to win – we want to win the Eastern Conference, we want to win MLS Cup."

The Chicago Fire are next up for Miami, and Gerardo Martino wants to see his team replicate the level they displayed against Cincinnati.

"What we have to do is continue to maintain our performance," Martino said.

"We don't want to try to modify the way in which the team is facing each of the matches because we're at the final stretch, and then have to review how to play the last few games before the playoffs because they're completely different situations."

Midfielder Diego Gomez said: "We achieved our first objective, which is to make it to the playoffs. We have to keep going, we still have to keep training, we have to keep improving."

When asked about Messi's comeback, Martino explained: "Leo, like I said the other day, I can't tell you exactly what time, but he's already on the field. He is working with his physical therapist, he's out of the medical ward, he is training with a ball.

"So he has to get back in shape or recover most of his fitness that any player loses when they are out for five or six weeks and to feel confident that his injury is behind him. But it is something that I believe is not very far from happening."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire - Brian Gutierrez 

Gutierrez scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time in Chicago's draw with New York City FC last time out.

It was the Fire's first result-changing penalty in stoppage time of an MLS match in club history.

Inter Miami - Luis Suarez

Suarez's two goals came in the opening six minutes against Cincinnati, which is the fastest from kick-off any player has scored twice in an MLS match since Ross Paule (also two goals in the first six minutes) for the Colorado Rapids in 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami have won 14 of their last 18 regular season matches (D2 L2), including the last three in a row. The Seattle Sounders, in July-October 2018, are the only team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win 15 times in a span of 19 matches in a single regular season.

The Fire scored in the 78th minute and in second-half stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw with NYCFC, the third time this season Chicago have avoided defeat in a match in which they trailed by multiple goals in the final 15 minutes.

The home side have won five of the seven all-time meetings between the Fire and Miami, including Chicago winning all three of their home matches against the Herons by a combined score of 8-2. 

However, Miami are firm favourites according to Opta's model.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire - 24.6%

Inter Miami - 52.4%

Draw - 23%

Luis Suarez scored the fastest goal in Inter Miami's history as his brace secured a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati on Saturday.

Though their task was made slightly harder by Tomas Aviles' first-half red card, the hosts cruised to a comfortable victory despite Lionel Messi's continued absence.

It took just 31 seconds for Suarez to get Miami up and running, meeting Marcelo Weigandt's cross with a first-time volley to send it into the bottom-left corner.

And he had his second just five minutes later after a wonderful link-up with Matias Rojas set him up to fire in at the near post.

Aviles received his first booking 11 minutes in and was punished for a needless, clumsy challenge after 42 minutes, resulting in him receiving his marching orders.

Cincinnati tried to use their man advantage to push for a goal in the second half, with Yuya Kubo having the best chance only to be thwarted by David Martinez's block.

By holding out for the win, Miami clinched the team's MLS Cup playoff berth with eight games remaining.

Data Debrief: Records topple for Suarez

Miami came back from the Leagues Cup break in fine form, and now have security after becoming the third-fastest team in MLS history to secure a playoff place.

And it is all down to Suarez's lightning-quick start. As well as scoring the fastest goal in the club's history, he has also netted the most goals in a single season for the Herons (18), overtaking Gonzalo Higuain's tally of 16 in 2022. 

Inter Miami forward Matias Rojas says Lionel Messi continues to have an influence on the side even while out injured, as they prepare for Saturday's huge top-of-the-table tussle with FC Cincinnati.

Having gone out of the Leagues Cup at the last-16 stage, Eastern Conference leaders Miami return to MLS action against a team currently one place and five points behind them.

They will be without Messi for the match, however, with next week's clash with the Chicago Fire seen as his earliest possible return date after he was injured in Argentina's Copa America final victory.

Rojas, who was brought in ahead of the 2024 season and has four league goals for Miami to date, says Messi does not switch off when out of action, however.

"Leo is always there. He watches everything and he talks to us before games," the Paraguayan said.

"He communicates more with those who can speak Spanish, he pays attention to what is happening, and he gives his opinion. 

"We are proud to be there, enjoying these moments with him. Sometimes I talk to my family to realise what is happening, but as I always say, I will not get tired of saying that we share our days with the best player in the history of football. 

"There are no words to describe what I feel every day."

With Cincinnati playing catch-up in the bid to be top seeds, coach Pat Noonan knows they cannot afford to be beaten at Chase Stadium.

"As far as the importance of it goes, with us being behind Miami, the significance of a result is certainly important for the end of the season," Noonan said.

"We're trying to be at home in the playoffs. Right now we're five points behind and trying to close that gap. It'll certainly be challenging to catch them if we don't get a result."

Cincinnati trounced Miami 6-1 on home soil when the teams last met in July, though Gerardo Martino's men were without several key players for that game, and Noonan expects a very different challenge this time around.

"It'll be completely different to our last matchup," Noonan said. "There's six different guys that could be on the field that weren't out there."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Luis Suarez

Miami have averaged 2.8 goals per regular-season game in 2024 when Messi has appeared, compared to 1.7 without the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Suarez's 12 goals in MLS this year are as many as Messi has managed, and he also scored twice in four Leagues Cup matches during the mid-season break. He will carry the Herons' foremost threat.

FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta 

In Messi's absence, perhaps another Argentine can take centre-stage.

Acosta has a league-high 29 goal contributions this season (11 goals, 18 assists) after posting 31 last season en route to the MVP award. 

He is one goal contribution away from becoming the fourth player in MLS history to record multiple seasons with 30 or more goal contributions.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Inter Miami won their first four matches against Cincinnati between 2020 and 2021, only to lose four of five against them in MLS since the start of the 2022 season (one draw), including the last three in a row.

However, the Herons have won five straight home matches in all competitions, scoring multiple goals in each of those victories.

This is their joint longest home winning streak in all competitions in club history, having also won five in a row between July and September 2021.

Miami have also scored 56 goals in 25 regular-season matches this term, and have won as many games without Messi appearing as they have with him (eight).

Cincinnati lost their last away match to the New York Red Bulls on July 20 by a 3-1 scoreline. They have not lost back-to-back road games in all competitions in over two years, since an eight-match losing streak that spanned the end of 2021 and the start of 2022.

However, they enter Saturday's match as outsiders, with Miami doing a decent job of coping without Messi this term.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 48.7%

FC Cincinnati – 25.5%

Draw – 25.7%

The Columbus Crew came from two goals down to put an end to Inter Miami's Leagues Cup defence, winning 3-2 at the Lower.com Field on Wednesday. 

Matias Rojas and Diego Gomez had given the visitors a comfortable lead just beyond the hour-mark, only for Christian Ramirez's strike to spark an unlikely turnaround. 

Diego Rossi netted twice in 11 second half minutes to confirm the win as Wilfried Nancy's side advanced to the quarter-finals where they will face New York City FC. 

Despite still being without Lionel Messi, Miami started brightly and were rewarded for their fast start when Rojas headed past Nicholas Hagen in the 10th minute. 

Columbus finished the opening 45 the better side, but found themselves two goals down after the break as Gomez curled home their second following Luis Suarez's pass. 

But Nancy's side would respond five minutes later as Max Arfsten's teasing delivery was powerfully headed home by Ramirez inside the penalty area.

The hosts found themselves level moments later when Cucho Hernandez's cross to the back post picked out Rossi to finish beyond Drake Callender. 

Rossi grabbed his 15th goal of the season 10 minutes from time, finishing from a tight angle following a clever pass by Mohamed Farsi to confirm the triumph. 

"Today, even after a defeat, we will continue trying to achieve some title in the local league, which is what remains," Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said. 

"But I cannot accept that all this is measured based on whether you won or lost, I accept it because they are the rules of the game."

Data Debrief: Rossi brace continues Crew's sensational home form

Columbus continued their fine home form under Nancy and are now unbeaten in their last seven games on home soil in all competitions (W6 D1). 

Rossi was the standout for the Crew, contributing 0.88 expected goals (xG) to Columbus' 1.79 total at the conclusion of the thrilling encounter. 

Miami failed to make their opportunities in front of goal count, only managing three shots on target from the 12 they attempted while also missing five big chances. 

Lionel Messi will miss the annual MLS All-Star game in Columbus on Wednesday due to his ongoing ankle injury, MLS has confirmed.

The Argentina captain sustained the injury during his nation's Copa America final victory over Colombia on July 14.

Messi subsequently left the pitch in tears, and watched from the dugout as substitute Lautaro Martinez struck an extra-time winner in Miami.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was expected to be part of the annual clash between an MLS XI and Liga MX XI.

However, he was listed as unavailable on the MLS website along with fellow Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez, though their team-mates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are both included.

The likes of Hugo Lloris, Christian Benteke and Federico Bernadeschi also feature in the MLS roster, while Andre-Pierre Gignac and Salomon Rondon will feature for the Liga MX All-Stars.

Jordi Alba scored the winner for Inter Miami in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire as they moved five points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Matias Rojas had given the Herons an early lead before being pegged back by Rafael Czichos, but Alba's winner ensured Miami made it back-to-back wins.

FC Cincinnati's third defeat in a row, a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls, means Miami now have some breathing space at the summit of the table.

The hosts were still without Lionel Messi, who watched on from the sidelines with an ankle injury, but made a quick start without their talisman.

Robert Taylor's bursting run opened up the space in behind Chicago for him to pull it back into the middle, and Rojas fired his shot across goal to pick out the bottom-right corner.

Moments later, Hugo Cuypers almost pegged them back when he benefitted from Drake Callendar's spill, but the goalkeeper recovered well to deny him.

Julian Gressel then fired a brilliant chance wide, not realising he had more time, but almost made up for it on the stroke of half-time, only to fire a powerful shot against the crossbar.

The Fire improved after the break and got their reward in the 73rd minute, with Czichos pushing out from defence before nestling a shot into the bottom-left corner.

Their joy was short-lived though, as just two minutes later, Alba made the most of a mix-up at the back and slotted into an empty net to seal the three points.

Data Debrief: Miami on target once more

Miami have scored in each of their last 11 games in MLS, their longest streak this season. In fact, they have only failed to score in two of their 25 matches in the league so far.

Alba's last strike here ensured they ended a four-match winless streak against the Fire (drawing one, losing three), having failed to beat them since August 2021. 

Inter Miami will again be without injured superstar Lionel Messi as they look to continue on their course for the Supporters' Shield on Saturday.

Miami will host Chicago Fire with Messi absent, just as he was for the midweek home win over Toronto FC.

"Leo will continue to be evaluated by our medical staff week to week," coach Tata Martino said.

"We will see how he recuperates without taking any type of risk."

Messi suffered an ankle injury while on Copa America duty with Argentina, winning that competition but appearing to hamper Inter's title hopes in the process.

But Martino's men are still well placed to achieve their goals, starting with the regular-season championship.

With victory over Toronto, in which Federico Redondo took centre stage with two goals, Miami became the first team to reach 50 points this season.

They have achieved that feat within 24 games, joining esteemed company. The only six teams to previously tally 50 points inside 24 games have gone on to win the Supporters' Shield.

Next opponents Chicago at least head into this encounter off the back of a win of their own, beating FC Cincinnati on the road on Wednesday.

"When you come on the road and get a result like this, it's a great team effort," said Fire coach Frank Klopas.

"Certain guys are playing really well at the moment, but I still feel that everyone can give more. There's a lot more potential in there with the group.

"That's why this game on Saturday is so massive for us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Federico Redondo

Miami may be missing Messi, but the supporting cast has consistently stepped up this season. They have had four different players score two or more goals in a match, tied for the most in MLS.

The latest of those was Redondo, scoring his first goals in MLS against Toronto. With an assist in that game, too, he will hope that is the start of a strong run of game.

Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez

The Fire have had just three goals from substitutes in 2024, yet two of those have been among their past three goals. The latest, their winner against Cincy, saw Gutierrez emerge from the bench to score.

The midfielder will not want that to develop into a consistent theme, however, surely preferring to play from the start. He had done so in each prior game going back to April.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Chicago have actually won four of their six games against Miami, including the past three in a row.

But New York City FC are the only team to further extend such a streak against Miami, and their run of five straight victories ended back in 2022. Miami are a very different prospect in 2024.

Their stretch of scoring in 10 consecutive MLS matches is a club record, with their tally of 19 goals across those games showing the task that lies before Chicago – with or without Messi.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 64.2%
Chicago Fire – 16.7%
Draw – 19.1%

Inter Miami returned to the summit of the Eastern Conference following their 3-1 win over Toronto FC at the Chase Stadium. 

Federico Redondo scored twice in the second half to add to Diego Gomez's opener, with Derrick Etienne netting a late consolation for the visitors. 

FC Cincinnati's 1-0 loss to Chicago Fire ensured the Herons returned to top spot, bouncing back from their 6-1 defeat to their Queen City rivals last time out. 

Lionel Messi, who is recovering from an ankle injury following Argentina's Copa America success, watched on as his side almost fell behind only for Deandre Kerr to fluff his lines inside the area. 

That opportunity would be capitalised on three minutes before the break, with Gomez firing the ball beyond Sean Johnson for the first real moment of magic in the contest.

Toronto continued to create chances, with Federico Bernardeschi almost providing an instant response only to see his curling effort saved brilliantly by Drake Callender. 

But Inter Miami would increase their advantage shortly after the interval, with Redondo heading in at the back post following Julian Gressel's teasing delivery. 

The Argentine would double his tally for the evening, and the season six minutes later, rounding off a superb team goal with a neat finish inside the area. 

John Herdman's side would get themselves on the scoresheet heading into the final 10 minutes with Etienne placing the ball into the far left corner. 

But Inter Miami would hold on to secure a 15th triumph of the season, ahead of their final fixture before the Leagues Cup against Chicago Fire this weekend. 

John Herdman hopes Toronto FC's bad run is behind them and a playoff push on the horizon as they prepare to meet Inter Miami, who are still bristling at suffering their joint-record defeat last time out in MLS.

Toronto staged a second-half comeback to beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 on Saturday, snapping a seven-match losing streak across all competitions.

The Reds had been winless in nine ahead of their victory over the Union, which dragged them up to eighth in the Eastern Conference, three points adrift of the top seven. 

With a number of players returning from injury and confidence restored, Herdman hopes that result can be something of a turning point.

"We can go into that match now against Miami with one of my best starting XIs for the first time since the beginning of the season," Herdman said. 

"We're never too high and never too low, and we just keep our feet on the ground, stay focused. 

"It's one win – and I thank the fans, they have been brilliant with us, they kept us going – but it's just the start, the start of a playoff push."

Miami, meanwhile, have been knocked off the top of the Eastern Conference, losing 6-1 to FC Cincinnati on their last outing on July 7.

Cincinnati then won their subsequent match to leapfrog Miami, who have been without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez due to the Copa America, at the summit.

Boss Gerardo Martino highlighted the Herons' defensive issues after their last match, saying: "We had a period early in the season where we were vulnerable at the back.

"We started to fix that, the previous five or six games we did a solid job defending, but then we reverted defensively to how we played early in the season. 

"We are still not there despite our good results and performances. We have to keep working and hoping in the final part of the season we can improve with our full roster."

However, Miami may have to wait to reintroduce Messi after he exited Argentina's Copa America final victory over Colombia with an ankle injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Julian Gressel 

Gressel has eight assists in MLS this season, a tally only bettered by Messi (nine) among Miami players.

His tally of 4.19 expected assists (xA), meanwhile, is better than Messi's 3.59. With the Herons still missing some of their key men, they may need Gressel to supply the chances.

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi

Only nine players have bettered Bernardeschi's tally of 53 chances created in MLS this year, while he also has 12 goal involvements (eight goals, four assists).

Ranking fourth for shots attempted (79) but just 34th for expected goals (6.5 xG), the Italian is not afraid to try his luck from any position.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Toronto halted a nine-game winless streak by beating Philadelphia last time out, but their last pair of back-to-back victories in MLS came in late April and early May.

They are winless in their last seven away games, losing their last four in a row and conceding multiple goals in six of their last seven.

Miami, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last eight home matches in MLS, winning four of their last six. Despite their absences, they approach the game as favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 72.4%

Toronto FC – 11.7%

Draw – 15.9%