The Chicago Fire triumphed 4-1 over Inter Miami in front of a sold-out crowd at Soldier Field, as goals from Maren Haile-Selassie and Xherdan Shaqiri propelled the team to eighth place on the Eastern Conference table.
Inter Miami struggled from the beginning, as sloppy turnovers and wasted possession enabled the home side to take advantage.
Chicago opened up the score in the second half, as Fabian Herbers raced to the box on the right to find Shaqiri perfectly positioned in front of the goal. Defender DeAndre Yedlin left the striker unmarked, inspiring Shaqiri’s right-footed shot into the net.
But before Chicago could enjoy the lead, defender Jonathan Dean committed a handball inside the box to award the visitors a penalty. Martinez stepped up and rocketed the ball past goalkeeper Chris Brady to reach the left side of the net for the equalizer.
Despite efforts to capitalize on the momentum, Miami struggled to hold the Fire back.
Herbers continued to weave through defenders to inspire goal-scoring opportunities, this time supplying Haile-Selassie with the pass on the left for the 2-1 advantage. And just three minutes later, Haile-Selassie found the back of the net again when rocketing the ball past Yedlin and into the goal.
Finally, Shaqiri sealed the victory for Chicago when scoring his second of the night. Gastón Giménez initiated the play, stealing the ball from Facundo Farias in the midfield before Shaqiri up top to enable the left-footed shot into the goal.
The defeat leaves Miami in 14th place on the Eastern Conference table with 33 points in 31 games. The Herons now need to win their last three Major League Soccer games to remain in the race for a postseason slot.
Inter Miami player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Drake Callender - 5/10 - Appeared defeated after the second goal. Could've done more.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin - 3/10 - Failed to defend in all four goals. Despite being rested last match, the defender looked fatigued after 30' mark. Constantly late and lackluster.
CB: Serhiy Kryvtsov - 5/10 - At fault for the fourth goal after disappearing on the first three.
CB: Kamal Miller - 6/10 - Not directly responsible for any goal, and yet still disappointed.
LB: Noah Allen - 6/10 - Once again proved he cannot fill Alba's boots but no other option at this point.
CM: Dixon Arroyo - 6/10 - Absent.
CM: Sergio Busquets - 5/10 - Another disappointing night from the Spaniard. Attempted to defend that first goal but constantly outpaced and outplayed.
CM: Benjamin Cremaschi - 7/10 - Missed a golden opportunity in front of the goal, but at least tried to get back into the game.
RW: Facundo Farias - 6/10 - Lost the ball in the midfield to inspire the fourth goal. Otherwise lacking on creativity and offense.
ST: Josef Martinez - 7/10 - Scored the penalty and managed one shot on goal, nothing special from the player.
LW: Robert Taylor - 6/10 - His mistake in the midfield cost Miami the first goal, before contributing the minimum on the attack.
Substitutes
CM: Jean Mota (67' for Arroyo) - 6/10 - Did nothing to improve the match.
LW: Nicolás Marcelo Stefanelli (68' for Taylor) - N/A
Manager
Gerardo 'Tata' Martino - 6/10 - Struggled to find replacements with the limited roster, explaining the two subs.
Player of the match - Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire)
This article was originally published on 90min as Chicago Fire 4-1 Inter Miami: Player ratings as Herons fall to 14th place ahead of Decision Day .
