SUAREZ BRACE EARNS POINTS, MESSI DOESN’T PLAY

INTER MIAMI

WASHINGTON - Suarez scored two late goals coming off the bench for Inter Miami to punctuate a 3-1 victory Saturday over D.C. United at Audi Field. The 19,365 in attendance unfortunately missed Messi as he sat for the second straight regular season game with apparent injury. 

United struck first in the 14’ with a Jared Stroud shot before Leonardo Campana put one in the back of the net for the Herons at 24’. 

Suarez’s goals came in the 72’ and 85’ once he was subbed in for Robert Taylor in the second half. 

Manager Tata Martino informed the media that the plan has been to rest Messi if necessary in hopes of making a deep CONCACAF Champions Cup run. These comments come without prior briefing for the fans, many of which paid exorbitant prices for Inter Miami away tickets.  

Miami proved the more dominant down the stretch, though Callender’s clutch saves were required once D.C. broke the Miami defense. The team is still gelling, and it’s coming up big in points as weekly adjustments fine-tune the field. 

Miami ties Columbus Crew for the lead in the Eastern Conference in points, though they have it with one more game played than the Crew. 

Inter Miami visits New York Red Bulls Saturday.