The Uruguayan Luis Suarez signed this Saturday his second consecutive double in the MLS and prolonged the sweet moment of Inter Miamiwho are awaiting the return of Leo Messi, still out with ankle problems, won 4-1 against the Fire at Soldier Field in Chicago to reinforce their first position in the East.
For the second year in a row, Messi missed Inter Miami’s visit to the Fire due to injury. The Argentine has been nursing a sore ankle and has not competed since July 14, when Argentina won the Copa America final against Colombia. Messi has returned to training with the group this week and is closer to returning, but has not yet been cleared by the doctor. With Inter Miami already mathematically qualified for the playoffs with eight games to spare, Martino has no need to force things.
And his team took to the field at Soldier Field with Sergio Busquets as central defender, in a 3-4-2-1 with Jordi Alba as left winger and Suárez up front. The Pistolero played a spectacular match. He forced the first goal in the 25th minute, with a shot that, saved by goalkeeper Chris Brady, ended with an own goal by Andrew Gutman.
The 37-year-old former Barcelona striker made it 2-0 50 seconds into the second half with a low left-footed shot that beat Brady. Suarez, who had also hit the woodwork in the first half with a header, completed his personal double in the 66th minute by finishing off a low cross from Jordi Alba. The Uruguayan has 16 goals this MLS season.
Greek Giorgios Koutsias scored the Fire’s 1-3 goal in the 82nd minute after finishing off a Kellyn Acosta cross, but Robert Taylor sealed the score in the 93rd with the final score at 4-1.
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Inter Miami is solidly leading the East with 59 points, eight more than Cincinnati, which beat Montreal 4-1 on Saturday. Martino’s team is in the fight to win two trophies this season, the Supporters’ Shield for the best club in the regular season, and the MLS Cup (title awarded to the winner of the playoffs).
