Inter Miami booked their place in the MLS play-offs thanks to a Luis Suarez-inspired performance against rivals FC Cincinnati.
Two goals in the first-half were enough for the Herons to secure a 2-0 win against the Ohio franchise as Suarez extended his goalscoring tally for Inter Miami to 18 in all competitions, though the forward was forced off due to a minor injury.
With the play-offs secured, Suarez’s form and fitness will be more important than ever for Inter Miami going into the final regular season matches, with the 37-year-old key to the Florida giants going all the way in MLS Cup.
And manager Tata Martino has shared what he was impressed by with Suarez in last night’s win at Chase Stadium.
Martino in awe of Suarez’s ‘spirit’ in big Inter Miami win
Speaking to the press after Inter Miami’s big result against Cincinnati, Martino lavished Suarez with praise on the striker’s competitiveness and his dedication to the team, with the attacker leaving everything out there for the Herons.
With Suarez filling in the role as talismanic goalscorer with Messi out injured, the Uruguayan’s form is as important as ever leading into the weeks ahead of the MLS play-offs for Inter Miami.
And Martino was certainly impressed with what he saw from Suarez against Cincinnati, with the striker enjoying one of his best performances yet since joining the Florida franchise at the start of the year.
Martino said on Suarez’s performance against Cincinnati: “What Luis gives us, in addition to his goals, which is most important, is his competitive spirit, his effort and dedication to the team, which he displayed once again.”
Suarez needs to maintain this level of form in the coming weeks
Two goals of the highest order for Suarez was enough for Inter Miami to secure a big win against Cincinnati, and the Herons will now need to hope the striker can maintain this level of form.
The former Liverpool marksman is one of the deadliest finishers in MLS when fit and on top of his game, and heading into the play-offs, Inter Miami need to ensure that Suarez can remain as hot as he currently is.
Indeed, Suarez’s form could be the difference between winning MLS Cup and another title lost for Inter Miami, and the striker will be determined to do all he can to win silverware for the Herons in the final stretch of the season.