Suarez says Inter Miami are everyone's cup final ahead of Cincinnati clash

Luis Suarez says playing against Inter Miami gives every MLS team "a chance to be in the spotlight", as the striker prepares to return from suspension for the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Miami visit FC Cincinnati on Sunday, having beaten Nashville SC in three games in round one of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Lionel Messi scored twice as the Herons won the deciding contest 4-0 in Fort Lauderdale, with Suarez serving a one-game ban after kicking out at Nashville's Andy Najar in Game 2.

Miami were dumped out of the playoffs by Atlanta United in the first round in 2024, having failed to make the postseason in 2023.

And as they hunt a first MLS Cup since Messi and Suarez joined the club, the Uruguayan says they need to be wary of opponents raising their game.

"For our rivals, playing against us is the match of the year, their day to shine, their chance to be in the spotlight, their big game. That's how they approach it," Suarez said in an interview with SPORT. 

"Last year, we [were eliminated] first in the playoffs and lost to the eighth-placed team. That is clear proof that nothing is easy.

"Sometimes it seems like people underestimate us, but when it comes to competing, the results speak for themselves. 

"Winning matches isn't easy; every match is a challenge for us. We've lost to the bottom team and beaten the top team."

Cincinnati, meanwhile, beat the Columbus Crew in the first round, bouncing back from a 4-0 loss in Game 2 as Brenner's double helped them to a 2-1 triumph in the decider.

Centre-back Miles Robinson says Pat Noonan's squad are aiming high for the remainder of the postseason, with home advantage boosting their hopes of an upset over Miami.

"We've got a lot of spirit, a lot of fight and a lot of confidence heading into this game," Robinson said. "We're definitely on a mission this season. I can't stress that enough. 

"We've got great players; the unity of the group is really strong, so I think when we're at our best, we're not losing."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Brenner 

Brenner scored both goals in Cincinnati's Game 3 win over Columbus in the first round, his eighth multi-goal performance in MLS play (regular season and playoffs) for the Orange and Blue, three more than any other player in the club's history.

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi has appeared in 70 single-leg knockout matches for club and country in his career, totalling 75 goal contributions in those games (44 goals, 31 assists). 

Since the 2022 World Cup knockout stages began, Messi has contributed to at least one goal in 13 of his 15 single-leg knockout matches for club and country (20 total).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Extra time and, potentially, a penalty shoot-out, will be required if this match finishes all square, and the Opta supercomputer forecasts it going the distance.

Cincinnati has won five of their last nine meetings with Inter Miami (D3 L1), including each of the last two matches in which Messi appeared. 

The only two club teams to defeat Messi in three straight meetings are Bayern Munich (four straight from 2015 to 2023) and Real Madrid (2020 to 2021).

Cincinnati have reached the Eastern Conference semifinals for the third time in the last four years, but they have only reached the conference final once, in 2023. 

Each of their previous two conference semifinal matches ended 1-0 to the home team, a loss at the Philadelphia Union in 2022 and a home win over the same opponents in 2023.

Miami's 4-0 win over Nashville in Game 3 of the first round was the ninth time in their last 11 matches where they have scored at least three goals. The only two times Miami failed to hit the three-goal mark in that span came in their four away matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

FC Cincinnati – 38.2%

Inter Miami – 35.3%

Draw – 26.5%