Fire clinch their first MLS playoff spot since 2017 with victory over Messi, Miami

The Fire clinched their first playoff spot since 2017 with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night against Messi and Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The club sealed a wild-card spot and still has a chance to earn a bye. The Fire are in eighth in the nine-team playoff field in the MLS Eastern Conference with two games left.

“We achieved one objective tonight, and I’m proud of our guys,” said Fire coach Greg Berhalter, whose team made the playoffs in his first season with the club. “But we’ve got two games to go, and we need to be prepared to finish strong.”

Five players scored for the Fire (15-11-6, 51 points), who blew a 3-1 halftime lead before scoring twice in three minutes to seal the victory. Both teams were on short rest after playing Saturday. The game was moved from Aug. 30 because Miami was competing in the Leagues Cup.

Dje D’Avilla scored in the 11th minute and Jonathan Dean in the 31st for the Fire before Tomas Aviles put Miami on the board in the 39th. Rominigue Kouame scored in the 43rd minute to make it 3-1 at the break.

Luis Suarez tied the game for Miami, scoring in the 57th and 74th minutes. But the Fire grabbed back the momentum, with Justin Reynolds scoring in the 80th minute and Brian Gutierrez closing it out in the 83rd.

The playoff berth marks the Fire’s third since 2009.

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