Luis Suarez Handed Shock Ban For Inter Miami Must-win Game 3

Luis Suárez has been suspended for Inter Miami’s all-important Game 3 conflict pinch Nashville SC for an off-ball incident astatine GEODIS Park past Saturday night.

The Uruguayan had a frustrating outing successful Game 2, which ended successful a 2–1 conclusion for nan Herons. Suárez created zero chances, managed 1 changeable connected target and saw his different deed nan woodwork successful nan first half.

Tensions boiled complete for nan striker successful nan 71st minute. Suárez kicked retired astatine Nashville’s Andy Najar, sending nan defender to nan crushed successful pain. No foul was called successful nan infinitesimal and nary paper was issued for nan incident.

Except 4 days aft nan match, nan MLS Disciplinary Committee has stepped successful to punish Suárez for his conduct. The convention confirmed nan No. 9 has been fined and suspended for Game 3 for “violent conduct,” leaving Inter Miami without their astir vulnerable goalscorer for nan all-or-nothing match.

The MLS Disciplinary Committee has nan authority to good aliases suspend players aft a lucifer successful galore situations, including erstwhile it deems an incident a clear and evident reddish paper that nan referee grounded to rumor during nan game.

Inter Miami tried to entreaty nan decision, but saw their petition denied.

The prohibition for Suárez is his 2nd this season. The 38-year-old was antecedently handed a three-game suspension for spitting connected a Seattle Sounders unit personnel pursuing Inter Miami’s conclusion successful nan Leagues Cup final.

Inter Miami will trust connected Lionel Messi to get them a Game 3 victory. / Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

With their MLS Cup Playoff hopes connected nan line, nan Herons will beryllium incapable to telephone connected Suárez travel Saturday nighttime astatine Chase Stadium. Javier Mascherano now must determine who gets nan motion successful his spot successful nan win-or-go-home Game 3.

The bully news for nan Argentine leader is he tin play Lionel Messi arsenic a mendacious nine. The eight-time Ballon d’Or victor led Inter Miami’s statement while Suárez was suspended earlier successful nan play and registered 5 extremity contributions crossed those 3 games.

Mascherano tin besides deploy a 4-4-2, pinch Messi and Tadeo Allende up top. The latter, though, struggled to nutrient successful Game 2.

The unit will beryllium connected Mascherano and Messi to present successful Game 3, aliases other nan Herons will suffer back-to-back Round One exits aft winning Game 1 some successful 2024 and 2025.

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