FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Defender Jordi Alba scored two minutes after Chicago pulled even in the second half to rally Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over the Fire on Saturday night.
Rookie Matías Rojas scored for a fourth time this season to give Inter Miami (16-4-5) a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute. Robert Taylor picked up his fourth assist and 20-year-old defender Tomás Avilés snagged his first of the season and the second of his two-year career on the goal. It was the seventh start and 10th appearance of the campaign for Rojas.
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Defender Jordi Alba scored two minutes after Chicago pulled even in the second half to rally Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over the Fire on Saturday night.
Inter Miami defender Ian Fray (17) heads the ball as Chicago Fire forward Georgios Koutsias (19) defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba (18) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba reacts after scoring during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Arnaud Souquet, left, goes for the ball against Inter Miami forward Leo Afonso, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino reacts during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas watches during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Rafael Czichos (5) reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Mauricio Pineda, left, defends against Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady (34) reacts during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez (17) falls as he goes for the ball against Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, waves as he walks off the field with team managing owner Jorge Mas after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, stands with team managing owner Jorge Mas as Messi is awarded for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defends Jordi Alba, right, runs with the ball as Chicago Fire defender Wyatt Omsberg, left, defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Marcelo Weigandt (57) falls as he goes for the ball against Chicago Fire defender Allan Arigoni (27) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, center top, makes a save during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waves as he walks off the field after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Julian Gressel, left, falls after coming into contact with Chicago Fire midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Children hold placards before a ceremony where Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi was honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, right, goes for the ball as Chicago Fire defender Rafael Czichos (5) defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, waves to the crowd as he is awarded for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At right is Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Arnaud Souquet, right, controls the ball as Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor, left, defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami midfielder Matías Rojas, csecond from right, celebrates with forward Luis Suárez (9) and midfielder Federico Redondo (55) after scoring during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago (6-12-7) trailed until defender Rafael Czichos used Gastón Giménez's third assist of the season in the 75th minute to score his first goal this season and the sixth in his three years in the league.
The tie lasted until Alba scored unassisted with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box in the 77th. It was the fourth goal this season for Alba and his fifth in 22 starts and 27 appearances in his two seasons with the club.
Drake Callender finished with four saves in goal for Inter Miami. Chris Brady stopped seven shots for the Fire. Callender needed to make just one save to keep the Fire off the scoreboard in the first half. Brady had four saves by halftime to keep Chicago close.
Chicago knocked FC Cincinnati out of the top spot in the Supporters’ Shield race with a 1-0 road victory on Wednesday.
Inter Miami is 2-4-1 all time versus the Fire.
The league goes on a month-long hiatus for the Leagues Cup. Inter Miami, which leads the league with 53 points at the break, will host FC Cincinnati on Aug. 24 when play resumes. The Fire will travel to play New York City FC on Aug. 24.
AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, second from top right, watches from field-level seats during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Messi did not play due to an injury. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Ian Fray (17) heads the ball as Chicago Fire forward Georgios Koutsias (19) defends during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba (18) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba reacts after scoring during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Arnaud Souquet, left, goes for the ball against Inter Miami forward Leo Afonso, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino reacts during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas watches during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Rafael Czichos (5) reacts after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Mauricio Pineda, left, defends against Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady (34) reacts during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutiérrez (17) falls as he goes for the ball against Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, right, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, waves as he walks off the field with team managing owner Jorge Mas after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, stands with team managing owner Jorge Mas as Messi is awarded for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defends Jordi Alba, right, runs with the ball as Chicago Fire defender Wyatt Omsberg, left, defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Marcelo Weigandt (57) falls as he goes for the ball against Chicago Fire defender Allan Arigoni (27) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, center top, makes a save during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi waves as he walks off the field after being honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami defender Julian Gressel, left, falls after coming into contact with Chicago Fire midfielder Kellyn Acosta (23) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Children hold placards before a ceremony where Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi was honored for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, right, goes for the ball as Chicago Fire defender Rafael Czichos (5) defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, waves to the crowd as he is awarded for his 45 career trophies before an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At right is Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Chicago Fire defender Arnaud Souquet, right, controls the ball as Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor, left, defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Inter Miami midfielder Matías Rojas, csecond from right, celebrates with forward Luis Suárez (9) and midfielder Federico Redondo (55) after scoring during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Chicago Fire, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Cam Rising threw for 92 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game due to an injury to his throwing hand as No. 11 Utah beat Baylor 23-12 on Saturday.
Rising scrambled and released the ball just before being driven out of bounds and was shoved into the water coolers on the Baylor sideline with 1:55 left in the second quarter, and went to the locker room for X-rays. Backup quarterback Isaac Wilson led the Utes’ offense after halftime for a second straight game.
Micah Bernard rushed for 118 yards to lead Utah (2-0).
Dequan Finn threw for 115 yards and a touchdown in his second start for Baylor (1-1). Finn struggled against Utah’s defense, losing a fumble and getting sacked three times.
Utah controlled play on both sides of the ball in the first half.
The Utes got on the board midway through the first quarter when Money Parks caught a short pass and turned it into a 28-yard reverse. Rising faked a handoff to Dijon Stanley before flipping the ball to Parks, who scored untouched.
Utah extended its lead to 14-0 on a 2-yard catch by Micah Bernard 20 seconds later. Connor O’ Toole forced Finn to fumble on a blindside hit and Karene Reid recovered the ball at the Baylor 3, setting up the Utes’ second touchdown.
Baylor had minus-10 yards on 10 plays in the first quarter.
Tao Johnson grabbed the ball on a blocked 50-yard field goal attempt and raced 77 yards down the sideline to extend Utah’s lead to 23-0 with 5:21 left in the second quarter. Johnson was the first Utah player to score a touchdown off a blocked field goal since Jay Hill in 1999 against Wyoming.
THE TAKEAWAY
Baylor: The Bears had a nightmarish start on offense and never fully recovered. Baylor did not gain a first down until midway through the second quarter and totaled 48 yards by halftime.
Utah: Another dominant performance for the Utes came at a price. Rising suffered an apparent injury to his throwing hand and an extended absence could affect the trajectory of Utah’s season.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Utah should move into the top 10 in the next AP Poll on Sunday following the victory.
UP NEXT
Baylor: Hosts Air Force on Saturday.
Utah: At Utah State on Saturday.
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) throws against Baylor in the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) tcarries the ball; against Baylor in the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) runs past Baylor linebacker Keaton Thomas (11) in the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)