Inter Miami will be without Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul for the match against the Chicago Fire, as the two stars take a scheduled break after the recent World Cup. The 21‑day rest period they are enjoying was negotiated by FIFAPro to manage player workload.
The club also confirmed that several other players are unavailable: injured defenders Tadeo Allende, David Ayala, Maxi Falcón and forward Gonzalo Luján, while youngsters Santiago Morales and Alexander Shaw are away with the U‑20 U.S. men’s national team.
Chicago Fire, meanwhile, are set to introduce Robert Lewandowski to MLS, the Polish striker expected to come off the bench for his debut. His arrival follows the sale of Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey, a move that opened a spot in the attacking lineup.
Lewandowski’s first appearance was initially delayed by smoky, hazy conditions in Chicago, but the team remains confident that the former Bayern Munich star will make an impact when the game finally starts.
All‑Star Preparations and Future Implications
Both sides are slated to meet again on Saturday, a fixture that will lead directly into the MLS All‑Star Game in Charlotte. While Cuypers, Messi and De Paul earned All‑Star selections, they are unlikely to feature in the showcase event.
The upcoming clash underscores the growing appeal of MLS, as global superstars continue to reshape the competition while domestic talent fights for minutes on the field.