Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that the team will suffer a significant loss due to Luis Suárez’s suspension. The Uruguayan striker was sanctioned with three matches by Major League Soccer (MLS), following an incident in the Leagues Cup final against the Seattle Sounders. Suárez initially received a six-match suspension from the Leagues Cup, which would be served in the next edition of the tournament. MLS added an additional three-match sanction. Both Suárez and Inter Miami issued statements apologizing for what happened in the final against the Sounders.
Mascherano added that Suárez has also shown his agreement with the decision. The coach stressed that, although they didn’t like how the match against Seattle ended, they have tried to close the issue.“We accept the MLS decision. The club has already publicly expressed its agreement with that decision,” Mascherano stated.
Javier Mascherano
“Obviously, we lose a starting player, an important player. This gives us the opportunity to look for other options and replace him in the best possible way,” commented Mascherano.
Javier MascheranoMascherano emphasized that the team will seek to compensate for Suárez’s absence as a collective, rather than relying on an individual substitution. The coach revealed that they have already begun to prepare the team for the upcoming matches, with the focus on obtaining the three points in each game. In addition to Suárez, Inter Miami will not have Fafà Picault, David Ruiz, Allen Obando and Baltasar Rodriguez, all of whom are injured. Mascherano also mentioned that Lionel Messi will be available for the match against Charlotte. The coach confirmed that Messi trained with the club all week, after returning early from his international commitment with Argentina. Inter Miami is in sixth position in the Eastern Conference, with 46 points in 25 matches.
