DC United - Inter Miami summary: score, stats and goals | MLS
DC United - Inter Miami: As it happened
Inter Miami had substitute Luis Suarez to thank after a hard-fought road victory over DC United on Saturday.
The Herons were without Lionel Messi for the trip to the capital and started with both Suarez and Jordi Alba on the bench at Audi Field. Things got off to a bad start for Tata Martino's side with a flurry of early chances for DC before Jared Stroud fired the hosts ahead.
Miami drew level midway through the first half when Leonardo Campana pounced on a loose ball in the box and poked home from 12 yards.
The game was tied at the break and DC began the second half as the stronger of the two teams. Things changed, however, with the introduction of Luis Suarez on the hour-mark. The 37-year-old looks painfully immobile at times but he still knows where the back of the net is.
He edged Miami ahead within ten minutes of entering the field, slotting home from close range after a good pass from Campana. Then, ten minutes later, it was Suarez who made the game safe for the Herons with an impudent chip over Alex Bono.
Inter Miami have rare victory without Lionel Messi and they reiterate their credentials as genuine title contenders in MLS this season.
Full time: Big win for Inter Miami on the road
It was not always pretty but the Herons got the job done at Audi Field. Tata Martino's team looked a little over-stretched in the first half but they embraced the chaos in the second and scored twice to edge ahead.
Peeep peeeeep peeeeeeep
Full time in DC and Inter Miami return to winning ways in MLS. A second half brace from Luis Suarez wins the game for the Herons, retaining their place at the top of the table.
The hosts are continuing to push in the final moments here. With ten men it's an impressive effort from DC but they've been beaten by the firepower at Miami's disposal.
Drake Callender looks to claim the ball from the resultant corner but he's clattered by Jacob Murrell. Free kick to Inter Miami.
DC United win a corner kick, delivered by Mateusz Klich. His cross is overhit but fired back in by DC, forcing a sharp stop from Callender.
Hosts win another corner.
Foul called on Aaron Herrera on the halfway line, a clumsy challenge on Borgelin. First sides of frustration there from DC United, who must have been confident of winning this game at half time.
Brilliant work from Diego Gomez to beat McVey by the touchline and find Jordi Alba on the edge of the box. The Spaniard tries to curl one past Bono but the DC United keeper holds it well.
DC United keep pushing forward in search of a way back into the game. Herrera tries to clip a long ball forward but it's overhit and bounces out for a goal kick.
There will be a minimum of eight minutes of added time at the end of an action-packed second half.
Pedro Santos
From bad to worse! Shanyder Borgellin beats Santos to the ball and is hauled down as he heads towards goal.
DC United are down to ten men.
Watch: Luis Suarez chips Bono for second goal
He's not the player he once was, but Luis Suarez remains a game-winning talent. He comes off the bench to bag a brace for Inter Miami and, almost certainly, win them the game.
Inter Miami come forward again with a long ball up to Borgellin. He tries to bring the ball down but his overly-physical approach sees him concede a free kick.
That third Inter Miami goal has quietened the home crowd at Audi Field. Luis Suarez's second half intervention has tipped the game in Inter Miami's favour and looks to have won the game for his team.
Gooooaaaaal! Luis Suarez
The 37-year-old has his second! Brilliant work from Diego Gomez to win the ball back for the Herons and work it to Luis Suarez.
He needed two attempts to find the back of the net, but eventually chips the ball over Alex Bono.
Miami are two goals ahead!
Inter Miami play long to Borgelin, who is muscled out of the ball on the halfway line.
Jordi Alba takes the corner kick. His cross is initially cleared but it drops to the feet of Ruiz on the edge of the box. He lets fly but his deflected effort bounces just wide of the post.
Suarez does well to hold up the ball for Inter Miami and crash through a couple of tired DC challenges. Miami look to force an opening through Redondo but he is dispossessed and the ball goes out for an Inter Miami corner.
Ambitious ball forward from Matti Peltola but it's overhit and gathered easily by Drake Callender.
We're into the final ten minutes of normal time and DC come forward again on the left. The ball is curled into the middle and Benteke clashes with Callender.
Free kick awarded to the Herons.
Inter Miami are continuing to press the DC United backline and make life difficult for the hosts.
Diego Gomez
The Inter Miami midfielder is the latest player to go into the book in this feisty clash.
Watch: Luis Suarez edges Inter Miami ahead
He had only been on the field for a matter of minutes but Luis Suarez has found the back of the net again for the Herons. It was a sharp Inter Miami counter-attack, the Uruguayan was in the right place to poke the ball home.
Brave goalkeeping from Alex Bono who flies out of his goal to intercept a long ball over the top for Inter Miami. You sense that there will be more goals in this game...
Long throw from Herrera for DC United. Miami concede the corner kick.
And the final two Inter Miami changes see Borgelin and Jordi Alba come on to replace Gressel and Campana.
Another change for DC United as Dajome is replaced by Murrell.
Decision - Inter Miami goal!
Yes, it will! VAR is happy with the on-field decision and Luis Suarez' goal will stand.
Wait! VAR is checking the initial DC United claims for a penalty!
Will the goal stand?
Gooooaaaaal! Luis Suarez
Incredible scenes at Audi Field! Miami break with real pace and find Campana on the right of the box, who slips the ball across the face of goal to a gleeful Luis Suarez at the back post.
Inter Miami ahead!
Huge appeals for a DC penalty, waved away. Inter Miami surge up the pitch and look to counter!
Big chance! DC United
DC come forward against with Stroud but he takes a heavy touch.
The ball falls to Aaron Herrera who curls in a brilliant cross towards Christian Benteke. The big Belgian gets his head on the ball on the six-yard box but his effort is over the crossbar!
Brilliant play from Gomez to recover the ball for Miami in midfield and feed the ball forward. There's space for Gressel on the edge of the box but his curled effort is just over the crossbar.
Matti Peltola
The DC United midfielder goes into the book for a late challenge on the edge of the Miami box.
Pedro Santos lifts a delightful ball over the Miami defence for Cristian Dajome. He whips the ball across the face of goal but the visitors clear.
Good early touch for Fletcher who looks to dart through the Miami midfield. He will pose a different threat to Benteke up front and is full of confidence after a goal-scoring performance against Portland Timbers.
And now the first change for DC. Gabriel Pirani is off, replaced by Kristian Fletcher.
It looks like a bit of a reshuffle from Tata Martino, with Campana and Suarez now playing as an offensive duo in a 4-4-2.
Here we go!
First change of the day for Inter Miami as Luis Suarez comes on for Robert Taylor. The Finn can feel a little hard-done-by, he's looked dangerous for Miami.
Clever first-time ball from Redondo to work it forward to Campana. He tries to find Gressel in the box but DC get players back to cut it out.
The hosts come forward again and work the ball to Stroud on the edge of the box. He has plenty of space to shoot but the effort is poor and he drags it wide of the post.
DC United win another corner kick. Klich delivers well but Miami clear it to the edge of the box. Pirani lets fly from distance on the rebound but can't find the target.
Robert Taylor looks to be clear on goal but the assistant halts his progress with the offside flag.
That was close for Taylor, Miami will look to catch DC out with balls over the top like that.
Good footwork from Redondo to draw a foul from Klich, ten yards into the DC half.
The kick is played short to Busquets who tries a big switch out to Gressel. The pass is overhit and bounces out for a DC goal kick.
Inter Miami defend the corner kick well and the ball ends up in Callender's hands.
DC continue to push and win a throw-in on the right, near to the corner flag.
They win a corner chance, another chance to test Miami's vulnerability from set pieces.
Big chance! DC United
Clever from Klich to clip a ball over the Miami defence to Benteke. The Belgian brings the ball down expertly and looks certain to find the back of the net but he can't beat Callender.
Good defending from Noah Allen to put him off.
Inter Miami look so much more difficult to play against out-of-possession with this more energetic frontline. It's forcing mistakes from the DC backline and creating chances for Miami.
Big chance! Inter Miami
Clever play from Redondo on the right to make space for a cross and pick out Campana at the back post. The Miami forward gets a toe on it but can't direct it goalwards.
Should he have gone with his head there?
The free kick is taken by Klich but the former Leeds United man's cross is easily headed clear. DC come straight back at Miami and the ball falls to Stroud in the box.
It's a big chance for the hosts but Stroud's shot is easily saved.
Nice interplay from DC United on the right flank and Stroud draws a foul from Allen.
Free kick to DC on the right, a good chance to deliver with quality.
Inter Miami try a little of the hosts' high-pressing tactics against them and cause panic in the DC backline. They manage to get the ball clear, but it's a frenetic start to the second half.
Another aggressive start from DC United, who almost create an opening for Benteke in the opening 15 seconds. They look to pressure the Miami backline and win the ball up high.
And we're back!
The action resumes at Audi Field...
ICYMI: Sharp turn and finish fires DC ahead
The moment of real quality from the opening 45 minutes was this opening goal from Jared Stroud. What a way to open his account in DC!
Level at the break, it's been an engrossing clash between two teams determined to dominate the game. We had 16 shots in the first half - 7 for DC and 9 for Miami - and four yellow cards.
Both goals were well-taken but the real talking point from the opening 45 minutes at Audi Field was the decision not to award a penalty to DC United. Sergio Busquets appeared to grab at Christian Dajome's shirt in the box to prevent the DC forward connecting with a dangerous cross. The incident was checked by VAR before deciding not to intervene.
The DC United bench was furious with the (lack of) decision; will that come back to haunt them after the break?
Peeep peeeep peeeeeeeeeep
Half time at Audi Field and it's all square.
DC United 1 - 1 Inter Miami
It's a scrappy end to the first half with countless turnovers from both teams.
Benteke shows a bit of quality to hold up the ball and bring Pirani into the game, but he clatters into teammate Stroud and DC lose possession.
The pace has slowed slightly as the break nears. It's been a thrilling first half of action from Audi Field, both teams will feel that they could be ahead.
Strange, slightly mis-hit corner from Taylor finds Gomez but he can't get his shot on target.
Good work from Campana to win a corner kick for his side. The Miami forward can't be faulted for his work effort.
There will be a minimum of six minutes of added time at the end of a stop-start first half.
Big chance! Inter Miami
Sensational long pass from Busquets to send Taylor sprinting through on goal. The Finn takes the ball slightly wide and tries to beat Bono at the near post, but his shot bounces back off the post.
Inter Miami can't make anything from the set piece and it ends in the gloves of Bono.
Can the hosts force one last chance before the break?
Busquets does well to win a clever free kick in the midfield, buckling under a slight touch from Klich. Miami have the chance to deliver into the box now.
DC United win a free kick in the midfield. It's played short to Klich, who clips a long pass forward and out of play for a goal kick.
A wasted opportunity for the hosts.
The DC bench is furious with the decision to deny them a penalty there. The shirt pull was pretty clear on second viewing and Dajome, the player who had his shirt pulled, was just inches away from connecting with the cross.
VAR check complete, referee waves play on.
DC United take the corner kick and Callender comes out well to claim the ball.
Brief pause for a VAR check! It seems they're taking another look at a potential shirt pull from Busquets on Dahome.
Will DC win a penalty here?
Brilliant ball in from Santos bounces all the way across the face of goal and forces a sharp save from Callender at the back post. Brilliant from the USMNT stopper.
Diego Gomez is a little over-eager in his attempts to tackle Klich on the edge of the Miami box. Free kick to the hosts, around 40 yards from goal on the right.
They may not have the individual brilliant of Messi and Suarez, but Inter Miami's front three of Gressel, Taylor and Campana has bags of energy and they are starting to cause DC some problems at the back.
Aaron Herrera
The DC fullback joins McVey and Pirani in the book after a late challenge on Campana on the halfway line.
Corner kick for Miami is whipped in by Gressel. Redondo gets to it first and makes a good connection on the volley, forcing a good save from Bono.
Back to the on-field action, Nicolas Freire is forced off due to injury and Sergii Kryvtsov comes on in his place.
ICYMI: Campana levels for Miami
And here's the second, a cool finish from Leonardo Campana on his return to the starting XI.
ICYMI: Stroud scores first for DC
With Freire down receiving treatment, lets take a quick look at the two goals from Audi Field.
First up, Jared Stroud's opener for DC United.
Nicolas Freire
Concern for Inter Miami now as the central defender goes down, seems to be holding his knee. Medical staff are on to attend to him.
It's Pedro Santos who steps up to take it but his curling effort is comfortably over the crossbar.
Tomas Aviles
The Miami defender is the latest player to receive a booking. Free kick to DC on the edge of the box, right of centre.
Gabriel Pirani
Another booking for DC, their high-pressing tactics are landing them in hot water with the referee.
There's a spring in the step of the Inter Miami players now. Gressel plays another raking cross-field pass out to Taylor on the left and the wideman looks to find Ruiz at the back post.
His cross is overhit and runs out for a goal kick. Good play from Miami though.
Gooooaaaaal! Leonardo Campana
The Inter Miami forward forces a brilliant save from Bono but Inter Miami recover the ball and the ball falls to Campana again inside the box.
The Miami striker fires low past the DC goalkeeper and finds the back of the net!
Gressel whips in the cross but Dajome does well to head the ball away.
Chris McVey
The former Inter Miami defender is booked for another heavy challenge on Leo Campana.
The Herons win a free kick on the right flank, another chance for Gressel to deliver with quality.
Brilliant cross-field pass from Gomez to find Ruiz on the right flank. He pulls the ball back to Gressel in the box but his shot is charged down and cleared by DC defenders.
Another DC foul, this time it's Santos on Ruiz. It's been an aggressive start from the hosts, and it's worked.
Stroud is penalised for a late challenge on Busquets in the Miami half.
Big chance! DC United
Superb counter-attacking move from DC between Klich and Stroud on the right. The ball is played over the top to Benteke who does brilliantly to work a sight of goal, drawing a good save from Drake Callender.
DC United are really up for this one!
Sergio Busquets takes a whack on the head in the midfield, winning a free kick for his team.
Jared Stroud fires DC United ahead
Brilliant goal from the off-season signing. DC worked the ball to Stroud on the right side of the box and he unleashed a fierce strike into the top corner, leaving Callender helpless in the Miami goal.
Gooooaaaaal! Jared Stoud
The hosts are ahead and it's well-deserved! Brilliant strike from Stroud, who finds the back of the net for the first time for DC United.
Big chance! DC United
The DC high press wins the ball in the Miami half and Virani slips the ball through to Benteke. The Belgian is one-on-one with Callender but his weak shot is easily saved.
That was a let-off for Miami.
Good work from Dajome to win the ball off Aviles near the Inter Miami corner flag. DC United look to build from there but Pirani had strayed offside and the assistant's flag is up.
DC United enjoy a bit of possession around the back, looking to play through a compact Miami structure.
Inter Miami free kick on the right, delivered brilliantly to the back post by Julian Gressel. No Herons player can quite get a touch on it and DC clear.
Sensational ball from Gressel.
Good ball from Gressel but it's headed clear by Bartlett. DC United have the chance to break now.
It's worked well up the right with Herrera who curls in a cross. Dajome meets the ball well with his head but the effort flies over the crossbar.
Miami break with Redondo, who feeds the ball to Campana on the left of the DC box. He shoots firmly but the shot is deflected out for a corner kick.
Good footwork from Gabriel Pirani on the right to make space for a cross. Miami manage to clear the ball, but that skill from the DC No. 10 has got the crowd on their feet.
It looks like this one's going to be a physical encounter. Troy Lesesne has brought greater intensity to DC and the Herons look to be playing more direct with Campana up front.
It is a 4-3-3 for Inter Miami, with Campana leading the line and Taylor and Gressel either side of the striker.
Good start for the hosts as Stroud wins an early corner kick for DC. The ball is whipped in towards Benteke but Miami manage to crowd him out.
Callender claims the ball.
And we're off!
Inter Miami get things underway at Audi Field...
The teams are out at Audi Field for this MLS clash and the conditions could not be more perfect. The skies are blue and the stands are packed for DC United against Inter Miami.
With Lionel Messi absent for Miami, goalkeeper Drake Callender wears the captain's armband for the visitors.
DC United welcome back Christian Benteke
The hosts are strengthened by the return from injury of Christian Benteke, the club's DP striker and most celebrated player. He scored a hat trick in the season opener against New England Revolution but missed the following two games due to injury.
Here's a look back at his hat trick goal against the Revs, and a celebratory reference to LeBron James!
Julian Gressel looks sharp for Miami
Without Lionel Messi - and with Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba dropped to the bench - greater emphasis will be placed on Julian Gressel today. The Miami midfielder has significant experience in MLS and has already won the title with Tata Martino, during their time together at Atlanta United.
Many of Inter Miami's other recent signings have been strikingly young and they will need Gressel's experience to carry them through a tricky fixture against an in-form DC United. The Inter Miami team sheet suggests that Gressel will be starting on the right of a front three, but don't be surprised to see the Herons line up in a 5-3-2, with him on the right flank.
Much-improved DC United look to stun Herons
DC United supporters have endured a fairly uninspiring few years, failing to reach the playoffs in any of the past four seasons. You have to go back to 2015 to find the last DC side to progress past Round One in the post-season, a real draught for a team of DC's history.
However there is fresh optimism in the capital as DC United have made a bright start to life under new head coach Troy Lesesne. The 40-year-old has spent the past two years as a coach with NY Red Bulls and has looked to bring that intensity, the high-pressing style, to an underperforming DC United side.
They have begun the season with a win and two draws from the first three games, most recently an impressive draw against Supporters' Shield holders FC Cincinnati.
Catch all the MLS action from across the weekend!
Inter Miami's trip to DC United is just one game from a big weekend of MLS action, all of which is available to watch for free on the Apple TV MLS Season Pass.
Why not watch the game live, and use us as a handy minute-by-minute companion to all the action?
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It's been a busy week for Inter Miami. In the past seven days we've seen a chastening defeat, an invigorating victory and an injury to Lionel Messi. With their opponents in Leagues Cup and the CONCACAF Champions Cup now confirmed Miami fans will be looking forward to some big games in the coming months.
Every week we distil the biggest Inter Miami news and serve it up on Friday in the form of our Miami Missive!
Christian Benteke returns for DC United
And here's the DC United team news, with one very good piece of news for the home support. DP striker Christian Benteke is back in the starting XI after missing the last two games due to injury.
The former Liverpool and Aston Villa forward scored a hat-trick in the opening game of 2024 but has not featured since. Now, reinstated in the team, he will be looking to disrupt a shaky Inter Miami backline.
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So far this season Inter Miami have played five games with Lionel Messi, picking up three wins and two draws in those fixtures. In the one previous game that Messi missed, Inter Miami suffered a home defeat to CF Montreal.
The 36-year-old misses out again today; here's the back-story to his latest fitness issue...
Inter Miami team news confirmed!
Here it is... As expected there's no Lionel Messi in the Herons' matchday squad, but Tata Martino has also opted to drop Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba to the bench against DC United.
The Miami head coach knows that he needs to rotate his aging superstars, but they do look a little light on quality with only Sergio Busquets from the ex-Barcelona quartet starting today.
We will have full live coverage of DC United - Inter Miami right here on AS USA, but you can, of course, also choose to watch or stream the game online. Here's everything that you need to know...
The Herons have landed
Inter Miami arrive at Audi Field looking to reassert their MLS Cup credentials. Head coach Tata Martino has reverted to the 5-3-2 system favoured towards the end of 2023 and it appears to be paying dividends for his team, who now look more solid at the back.
Will Martino stick with this formation for the trip to DC United? We'll find out shortly, team news to follow...
Blue skies in DC
The MLS weekend opens with DC United hosting Inter Miami and the scene could not be more perfect as kick-off approaches. Audi Field is bathed in sunlight and topped with a brilliant blue sky, ideal gameday conditions.
Jordi Alba knows Lionel Messi better than most, having spent more than a decade together for Barcelona. The Spaniard followed Messi to MLS last year and the duo have rekindled their incredible on-field relationship.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's game, Jordi Alba gave his take on Messi's injury situation...
Inter Miami look to return to winning ways
The early season momentum built by Inter Miami after a series of good performances was brought to a halt last weekend. With Lionel Messi rested the Herons fell to a 3-2 home defeat to CF Montreal, who typically struggle on the road.
Miami will be eager to get back to winning ways in the capital as they take on a much-improved DC United side.
The big news for Inter Miami today is that Lionel Messi, who has already scored five goals in five 2024 games, looks unlikely to feature against DC United. Speaking after the midweek game against Nashville Tata Martino explained that Messi was suffering from "an overload on his right hamstring" and was unlikely to play.
It's been a busy week for Inter Miami. Last Sunday's chastening defeat to CF Montreal was followed up by an impressive 3-1 victory over Nashville SC to progress in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Today they travel to DC United looking to bounce back from last weekend's MLS loss. But they are expected to be without Lionel Messi, who was substituted early in the second half against Nashville.
We'll have team news from Audi Field very shortly with confirmed lineups for both teams...