Lionel Messi's absence at Audi Field on Saturday afternoon, as he recovered from a hamstring strain in South Florida, did not diminish his influence on Inter Miami, which secured a 3-1 win against D.C. United without him.
Suarez led Miami
The crowd, decked out in pink jerseys of Messi's No. 10 and Argentina jerseys, erupted with each of Miami's goals, the first coming courtesy of Leo Campana in the 24th minute.
The goals came in quick succession at the hands of Uruguayan striker Luis "El Pistolero" Suárez, who made a big impact off the bench in the 62nd minute, showing his prowess as one of the most prolific goalscorers of his generation.
Suarez boasts an impressive record of six goals and five assists in his first seven appearances for Miami.
Reflecting on Suarez's contribution, Miami midfielder Julian Gressel highlighted his changing quality of play, emphasizing the energy boost he brings to the team.
Meanwhile, Miami coach Tata Martino praised Suarez's performance, comparing his impact to that of Messi, Busquets and Jordi, highlighting his consistent prowess throughout his career.
Despite Messi's absence in back-to-back league games, Inter Miami maintains its position at the top of the Eastern Conference, with three wins, one draw, and one loss, accumulating 10 points.
In Saturday's matchup, D.C. United took the lead early when Jared Stroud capitalized on a gap between Miami defenders Noah Allen and Nico Freire, unleashing a powerful shot into the top left corner in the 14th minute.
However, Miami responded quickly when Campana evened the score 10 minutes later with a left-footed shot from the heart of the box, sparked by a penetrating run and pass from Fede Redondo.
THE GUNSLINGER 🔫🇺🇾
Inter Miami's Luis Suarez is the MLS Player of Matchday 5! pic.twitter.com/pHijqGONNF
— MLS Español (@MLSes) March 18, 2024
Miami can shine without Messi
Notably absent from Inter Miami's starting lineup were stars like Messi, Suarez and Jordi Alba. Instead, Robert Taylor, Campana and Gressel led the attack, backed by midfielders Diego Gomez, Sergio Busquets and Redondo.
The defensive line was made up of Allen, Freire, Tomas Aviles and David Ruiz, with Drake Callender in goal.
While Messi's availability remains uncertain, coach Martino aims to have him back for the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals on April 3 against Mexican side Monterrey.
Despite Messi's absence, Miami showed its resilience, ending a seven-game winless streak when Messi was absent, since September.
This victory underscores the team's ability to compete effectively without their star player, a crucial factor considering the demanding schedule ahead, which includes 34 MLS, Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and Copa America matches.
Martino's strategy of rotating the squad has proven to be effective, instilling confidence in players to get results even in Messi's absence.
As midfielder Gressel emphasized, the win serves as a testament to Miami's depth and resilience, strengthening their belief that they can excel even when Messi is unavailable.
Campana stressed the importance of taking the initiative in Leo's absence. He acknowledged the value Messi brings to the team and his iconic role, but noted that in certain circumstances, such as against D.C., younger players must take the baton and lead the team.
