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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi stayed at home in South Florida, but fans in the nation’s capital saw another soccer star shine on the pitch Saturday afternoon.
Luis Suárez, the 37-year-old Uruguayan striker who joined his friend Messi in Major League Soccer, scored two goals in 23 minutes to help Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory against DC United at Audi Field.
Suárez entered the game as a substitute in the 62nd minuteNorth Dakota minute, and found the back of the net within 10 minutes. He achieved a double with a goal in the 85th minuteth minute to effectively seal the victory for Inter Miami.
“He had about 30 minutes of the game and defined the game,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said of Suárez, whose MLS streak continues with six goals and five assists in seven games in all competitions.
Update on Messi injury from Inter Miami coach after game against DC United
Messi did not play due to a right hamstring injury, missing his second game of the 2024 MLS season. He has two games with Argentina later this month, and Martino said the priority is for him to also be healthy for Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal match against LIGA MX’s Monterrey early of April.
“We will continually evaluate what he is doing. The goal is for it to arrive so we can play in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup,” Martino said. “We don’t want to take risks.”
Luis Suárez continues his tear in the MLS
Martino said Suarez had been expected to score since joining Inter Miami after winning the Ballon d’Or as the Brazilian league’s best player, scoring 17 goals for league runners-up Gremio last season.
“There was no reason to not be sure how he was going to perform here because two months before he had performed very well,” Martino said of Suárez. “The important thing here is the confidence it generates in the team and the players.”
About his first goal: Suárez allowed a pass from Federico Redondo that reached Leo Campana, who sent a cross to Suárez that ended up in the back of the net.
On his second goal: Suárez received a pass from Diego Gómez and waited patiently for his shot, which went over the DC United goalkeeper.
DC United’s Jared Stroud scored in the 14thth minute, while Campana tied in the 24th minuteth minute to bring about a 1-1 draw at half-time before Suarez took charge.
TRADE: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami kit at the MLS store
Messi’s hamstring injury could affect Argentina’s next matches
Messi is expected to join the Argentine national team for two friendlies that will serve as preparation for this summer’s Copa América. And it is possible that his injury limits him in both games.
Argentina will play El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22 and Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26, during the FIFA international window (MLS still schedules matches during this period).
Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23, when he will be with Argentina; and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest reasons.
Messi will return to the DMV area in June
Although ticket buyers for Inter Miami vs. DC United may be upset by his absence, Messi is scheduled to return with Argentina to the DMV in June.
Messi will join Argentina for the match against Guatemala at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, on June 14, which will serve as a warm-up before this summer’s America’s Cup.
Luis Suárez gets a double with second goal: Inter Miami 3, DC United 1
“El Pistolero” has scored again for Inter Miami.
Luis Suárez scored his second goal of the match in the 85th minute, a double from the Uruguayan striker.
Suárez received a pass from Diego Gómez and waited patiently for his shot, which went over the DC United goalkeeper.
Luis Suárez goal: Inter Miami 2, DC United 1
“El Pistolero” has made his presence felt in the country’s capital: Luis Suárez scored in the 72nd minuteNorth Dakota minute to give Inter Miami a 2-1 lead over DC United.
Suárez allowed a pass from Federico Redondo to reach Leo Campana, who sent a cross back to Suárez, and the Uruguayan striker used his left foot to send the ball into the back of the net.
Suárez continues his streak in Major League Soccer, scoring his fifth goal in seven games in all competitions. He also has five assists.
The score came immediately after a controversial sequence at the other end, when Inter Miami’s Tomás Avilés could have defended a DC United goal attempt with his hand.
Luis Suárez enters in the 62ndNorth Dakota Minute of Inter Miami vs. D.C. United
Luis Suárez of Inter Miami, who has four goals and five assists in six games, entered the game in the 62nd minute.North Dakota minute.
With about 30 minutes left, it’s a good opportunity for the veteran to make an impact after resting in the first half.
Leo Campana goal: DC United 1, Inter Miami 1
Inter Miami’s aggressive persistence paid off 10 minutes after falling behind.
Defender Federico Redondo kept the play alive, even while lying on his back, and Leo Campana’s left boot found the back of the net for Inter Miami in the 24th minute.th minute.
Jared Stroud goal: DC United 1, Inter Miami 0
DC United’s Jared Stroud shot with his right boot and gave his team a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.th minute.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender had no response after making a save on DC United’s Christian Benteke a minute earlier.
Inter Miami is left without Messi, while Suárez and Alba are on the bench.
Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba of Inter Miami will not start against DC United
While Messi is out, Suárez and Alba will start Saturday’s game from the bench. Meanwhile, DC United’s Christian Benteke will return from a groin injury.
Here are the starting lineups for both teams:
Inter Miami vs DC United Prediction
Inter Miami 2, DC United 2: Not Messi, of course. But fellow Barcelona stars Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and U.S. goalkeeper Drake Callender will likely play for Inter Miami. Just keep an eye on DC United’s Christian Benteke, who scored a hat trick in the season opener and could return to play from a groin injury. Both teams will reach a tie if Inter Miami commits enough without Messi. − Safid Deen, Lionel MessI reporter, USA TODAY
Why doesn’t Lionel Messi play against DC United?
Inter Miami released a statement on Friday afternoon regarding Messi’s hamstring injury:
“Messi came off in the 50th minute of Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against Nashville SC due to some discomfort suffered in his right leg during the match. “Upon further medical evaluation, it was determined that the captain suffered a minor right hamstring injury and is expected to miss the March 16 away game against DC United,” the statement said.
“After those games, Messi’s availability will be determined based on daily medical assessments and the development of his recovery in the coming days.”
Messi was seen massaging his hamstring during the first of two Champions Cup matches against Nashville SC. Messi was also kicked in the left leg, causing him to sprain his left ankle during that March 7 match.
MLS MatchDay 5: all free games on Apple TV
With the soccer GOAT out of another Inter Miami match, fans will have to settle for following the other intriguing action taking place in MLS this weekend. To highlight the action: There are currently five teams tied atop the Eastern Conference standings, and all five will be in action on Saturday. As a bonus for soccer fans, every MLS game this weekend are free to look in AppleTV.
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Messi’s rise to 500 million has coincided with the momentum following his thrilling World Cup victory in December 2022 and his successful move to MLS and his media partnership with Apple TV last summer, but it is also inextricably linked to who he is as a person.
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