Luis Suárez’s Double Secures Inter Miami’s Playoff Spot with 2-0 Win Over Cincinnati

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/25th August 2024

Luis Suárez delivered a standout performance for Inter Miami, scoring twice in the opening minutes of their 2-0 victory over FC Cincinnati. This decisive win not only avenged a previous heavy defeat but also secured Inter Miami’s spot in the playoffs, marking them as the first team this season to achieve this milestone.

The match, held on a Saturday night, saw Suárez open the scoring just 30 seconds in, followed by another goal in the sixth minute. His early goals provided Inter Miami with a solid foundation, allowing goalkeeper Drake Callender to focus on maintaining a clean sheet. Callender played a crucial role, making six key saves throughout the game and securing his fifth shutout of the season. His impressive performance was a significant factor in Inter Miami’s victory, especially since they had to play with a man down after defender Toms Avilés received his second yellow card in the 42nd minute.

The win was particularly sweet for Inter Miami (17-4-5), who had previously suffered a 6-1 defeat to Cincinnati earlier in the season. With this victory, Inter Miami has now moved eight points clear of second-placed Cincinnati (15-8-3) in the Eastern Conference standings and strengthened their position in the race for the Supporters’ Shield.

Rookie defenders Marcelo Weigandt and Yaniick Bright also made notable contributions. Weigandt earned his first career assist, while Bright provided the assist for Suárez’s opening goal just 30 seconds into the match. Suárez’s second goal was facilitated by rookie midfielder Matas Rojas, who registered his third assist of the season. This goal marked Suárez’s 15th strike in his 15th start and 19th appearance for Inter Miami, highlighting his significant impact in his debut season with the club.

The absence of Cincinnati’s head coach, Pat Noonan, who was suspended following a red card before the Leagues Cup break, may have influenced the match’s outcome. Despite having a record-tying seven-game road win streak before the break, Cincinnati’s performance fell short. They have now lost four consecutive games, including this latest defeat.

Inter Miami was also without Jordi Alba and Diego Gómez, who were serving suspensions from the previous encounter between the teams. Despite these absences, Inter Miami managed to secure a critical win. The team continues to be without superstar Lionel Messi, who remains sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final with Argentina.

Looking ahead, Cincinnati will return home to face CF Montreal, while Inter Miami will travel to Chicago to play the Fire. Both teams will be aiming to capitalize on their upcoming fixtures as the season progresses.