It was all-honors even in front of a Chicago Fire franchise-record single-game crowd of 63,094 under the lights at Soldier Field on Wednesday as the Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls drew 1-1 with reigning MLS Cup champions Inter Miami .
A star-studded game with Miami's Lionel Messi , Rodrigo De Paul , and Casemiro all named to the starting lineup by interim boss Guillermo Hoyos, and Robert Lewandowski leading the line for the Fire, the somewhat underwhelming scoreline doesn't tell the whole story.
Lewandowski opened the scoring early on, with an outstretched leg beating Maxi Falcón to the ball at the back post in the 10th minute off a pinpoint cross from Andrew Gutman , thundering his shot past a statuesque Dayne St. Clair in the Miami goal.
Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 10th minute for Chicago -Credit:Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images
Despite plenty of opportunities going their way, Miami were unable to find the back of the net until the 48th minute when Casemiro showed exactly why the Herons worked so hard to bring him in this summer, heading home a Messi corner, rescuing his side just as he had done so many times during the latter stages of his Manchester United career.
U.S. Men's National Team and Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady was definitely the busier of the two shot-stoppers on the night, producing six saves in total to deny the reigning MLS Cup champions, while St. Clair produced two saves on the night.
Both sides showed defensive frailties on numerous occasions, with attackers throwing away more than enough clear-cut opportunities to seal all three points and close the gap to the summit of the Eastern Conference after Nashville SC lost 2-1 on the road at Toronto SC.
However, none of the above is what this game will be remembered for. Instead, the moment that will stick in the memories of fans in attendance will be the tense exchange between Lewandowski and several Miami players in the 89th minute.
The Polish striker appeared to push Ian Fray to the ground, and while the defender was initially slow to get back to his feet, he suddenly jumped back up to shove Lewandowski to the turf.
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Lewandowski quickly followed him back into the penalty area in preparation for a set piece, with Miami's Yannick Bright somewhat keeping the forward away from his teammate as he continued to share his thoughts with Fray.
Then, De Paul intervened, pushing Lewandowski aside and giving his rival a piece of his mind as other teammates from both sides then rushed over. Not willing to let the situation go, shortly after, the Argentina international then appeared to ask Lewandowski, as per Marca , "Who the hell are you, you fool? I won two Copa Américas and a World Cup, you?" all while the forward smiled and laughed.
Lewandowski, clearly bemused by the interaction, failed to mention his 10 Bundesligas, three La Ligas, and UEFA Champions League title, among numerous others, in his burgeoning trophy cabinet during the exchange.
This was eerily reminiscent of an exchange between Messi and Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst following Argentina's win in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal when, during a post-match interview, the now-Miami star asked the Dutchman, "What are you looking at, dummy? What are you looking at, dummy? Get out of here, dummy."
Wednesday's draw leaves Miami second on 44 points, nine behind Nashville, while Chicago sits in fourth on 39 points with a game in hand.
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"I don't think there was any issue [with the attack] at all. For me, their goalkeeper was the standout player of the match," Hoyos said post-game, via ESPN .
"The goalkeeper is part of the game, after all. We created chances from various areas, but the goalkeeper played his part well. The guys performed very well, excellently, I'd say; we just missed out on the result we deserved."
Next up for Miami will be a visit from Nashville on Saturday, while the Fire welcome the third-placed New England Revolution on Sunday.
