Luis Suarez scored the fastest goal in Inter Miami's history as his brace secured a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
2024 Major League Soccer
2-0
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
0' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
1' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 1-0 Cincinnati (Luis Suárez)
6' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 2-0 Cincinnati (Luis Suárez)
18' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
30' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
42' Red Card! Tomás Avilés sent off
52' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
58' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
66' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
77' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs Cincinnati
Match Report
Though their task was made slightly harder by Tomas Aviles' first-half red card, the hosts cruised to a comfortable victory despite Lionel Messi's continued absence.
It took just 31 seconds for Suarez to get Miami up and running, meeting Marcelo Weigandt's cross with a first-time volley to send it into the bottom-left corner.
And he had his second just five minutes later after a wonderful link-up with Matias Rojas set him up to fire in at the near post.
Aviles received his first booking 11 minutes in and was punished for a needless, clumsy challenge after 42 minutes, resulting in him receiving his marching orders.
Cincinnati tried to use their man advantage to push for a goal in the second half, with Yuya Kubo having the best chance only to be thwarted by David Martinez's block.
By holding out for the win, Miami clinched the team's MLS Cup playoff berth with eight games remaining.
Spot secured @Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs here we come pic.twitter.com/P2UjgsiDFN
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 25, 2024
Data Debrief: Records topple for Suarez
Miami came back from the Leagues Cup break in fine form, and now have security after becoming the third-fastest team in MLS history to secure a playoff place.
And it is all down to Suarez's lightning-quick start. As well as scoring the fastest goal in the club's history, he has also netted the most goals in a single season for the Herons (18), overtaking Gonzalo Higuain's tally of 16 in 2022.
Line-ups
Inter Miami CF XI: Suarez, Alba, Busquets, Matías Rojas, David Martínez, Marcelo Weigandt, Drake Callender, Diego Gómez, Federico Redondo, Tomás Avilés, Yannick Bright
Subs: Sergiy Kryvtsov, Robert Taylor, Franco Negri, CJ dos Santos, Campana, Ian Fray, Noah Allen, David Ruíz, Benja Cremaschi
Cincinnati XI: Yuya Kubo, Yedlin, Awaziem, Miles Robinson, Obinna Nwobodo, Pavel Bucha, Nicholas Gioacchini, Luca Orellano, Roman Celentano, Kevin Kelsy, Gerardo Valenzuela
Subs: Alvas Powell, Corey Baird, Evan Louro, Luciano Acosta, Sergio Santos, Kipp Keller, Bret Halsey, Ian Murphy, Malik Pinto