Suárez desperate after Messi magic

On Sunday, Inter Miami played another preseason match as they prepare for what promises to be a demanding 2025 Major League Soccer season along with other competitions. The match against Sporting San Miguelito in Panama was largely positive for Javier Mascherano’s side, but one player who has yet to find the back of the net is Luis Suárez, who remains goalless after three friendlies.

It’s true that El Pistolero set up Tadeo Allende for a temporary 2-1 lead, giving him two assists in preseason – his first coming with a pass to Lionel Messi against Club América in Las Vegas. However, Suárez has yet to find his scoring touch. Wearing his iconic No. 9 jersey, he struggled to convert chances and showed signs of frustration in Panama.

Despite some positive stats—three key passes, an 86% pass accuracy, and winning both of his ground duels—Suárez also missed a clear-cut opportunity in front of goal, sent three shots off target, lost possession four times, and was caught offside twice. According to Sofascore, his performance reflected a mix of quality and missed chances.

A costly miss after Messi magic

One of Suárez’s biggest missed opportunities came after Messi dribbled past two defenders, leaving them on the ground before threading a perfect pass into space for Lucho. The Uruguayan attempted a delicate chip over the keeper but failed, sending the ball straight into the hands of Sporting San Miguelito’s goalkeeper. Later in the match, he struck a right-footed volley that sailed over the bar, capping off a frustrating night in front of goal.

Inter Miami sharing the goals around

One notable takeaway from Inter Miami’s first three preseason matches is that all five goals have been scored by different players. Messi struck first, followed by Tomás Avilés, while Benjamín Cremaschi, Tadeo Allende, and Fafà Picault added their names to the scoresheet on Sunday. This suggests that Mascherano’s team is developing an attacking system that doesn’t rely on a single goalscorer.

Additionally, Inter Miami continues to show resilience, a key trait from their successful 2024 regular season under Gerardo Martino. The team held Universitario de Deportes to a 0-0 draw, but in matches against Club América (2-2) and Sporting San Miguelito (3-1), they came from behind to win, a confidence-boosting sign ahead of the new season.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.