Messi, Suarez Lead Inter Miami to 4-0 Win Over D.C. United
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez each scored twice as Inter Miami cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night, ending a five-match winless streak and strengthening its position in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings.
The victory lifted Inter Miami to second place with a 13-5-10 record and 49 points, putting the club one point ahead of the Chicago Fire. D.C. United, meanwhile, dropped to 6-9-12 with 30 points, leaving the team six points behind FC Cincinnati for the conference’s final postseason play-in spot.
Suarez opened the scoring just three minutes into the match, converting a long delivery from German Berterame with a left-footed finish past D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Sergio Reguilon helped create the opportunity with a forward pass to Berterame, who delivered the ball into the penalty area.
The Uruguayan striker doubled Miami’s advantage in the 39th minute after Messi’s close-range attempt was blocked by Johnson. Berterame recovered the rebound and headed the ball toward Suarez, who finished from directly in front of goal.
Suarez’s two goals brought his season total to 15 before he was substituted in the 61st minute.
Messi extended the lead shortly after halftime, scoring his MLS-leading 22nd goal of the season in the 47th minute. After his initial attempt was deflected, Suarez collected the loose ball and lifted a pass back toward Messi, who finished past Johnson to make it 3-0.
The Argentine completed his brace in the 60th minute following a clever backheel pass from Rodrigo De Paul. Messi moved past D.C. United defender Lucas Bartlett before directing a precise shot inside the far post.
Berterame finished with two assists, while Suarez, Reguilon and De Paul also contributed to Miami’s attacking performance.
The four-goal display increased Inter Miami’s league-leading scoring total to 68 goals this season. The club also recorded its fifth clean sheet of the campaign and its first in 10 matches.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair earned his third shutout of the season as Miami’s defense limited D.C. United to just two shots on target despite the visitors registering 14 attempts overall.
One of D.C. United’s better opportunities came in the second half when Matti Peltola sent a close-range effort narrowly over the crossbar. Johnson finished with five saves but could not prevent Miami’s dominant offensive display.
The result provided a significant boost for Inter Miami after a difficult stretch without a victory. With Messi and Suarez combining for all four goals, the Florida club returned to winning form while maintaining its push near the top of the Eastern Conference.
For D.C. United, the defeat further complicated its playoff ambitions as the team continues to chase the conference’s final postseason position.
