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September 2, 2024

Inter Miami defeats Chicago with two goals from Suarez – Major League Soccer

Luis Suarez continued his prolific season, scoring twice to bring his total to 16 goals in 20 MLS games. Inter Miami secured a 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire on Saturday. Despite the absence of Lionel Messi, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, Miami has already clinched a playoff spot. It leads the race for the Supporters’ Shield.

The 37-year-old former Barcelona star opened the scoring in the 25th minute when his shot was deflected into the net by Chicago defender Tobias Salquist after being parried by goalkeeper Chris Brady. Suarez doubled the lead just a minute into the second half, finishing off a slick exchange with Diego Gomez by firing a low left-footed shot past Brady at the near post. He completed his brace and made it 3-0 with a simple finish from a Jordi Alba cross.

Chicago managed to pull one back in the 82nd minute through Giorgios Koutsias, but Miami sealed their dominant win when Leonardo Campana set up substitute Robert Taylor, who coolly slotted home.

In other action, defending champions Columbus Crew, fresh off their Leagues Cup triumph, secured a dramatic 4-2 win over New York City FC, thanks to two stoppage-time goals. Algerian forward Mounsef Bakrar had equalized for New York in the 86th minute. Still, DeJuan Jones and Jacen Russell-Rowe struck late to keep Columbus in third place in the Eastern Conference.

FC Cincinnati maintained their spot just ahead of Columbus with a 4-1 win over Montreal, highlighted by two goals from Luca Orellano, including a spectacular long-range strike from inside his own half.

In the Western Conference, second-placed Los Angeles FC suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Houston Dynamo. Ezequiel Ponce opened the scoring in the 28th minute, and substitute Lawrence Ennali doubled the lead in the 70th minute with a brilliant solo effort, rounding Hugo Lloris before scoring.

The Portland Timbers won the Pacific Northwest derby against Seattle Sounders 1-0, thanks to a 54th-minute goal from Colombian Juan Mosquera. Portland, Houston, and Seattle are all tied on 40 points, with the Sounders sitting just outside the playoff spots on goal difference.

Dream debut: Marco Reus elevates LA Galaxy to a new level

During the LA Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night, Marco Reus splashed in Major League Soccer by recording a goal and an assist.

“I was really, really excited before the game,” Reus shared afterwards at Dignity Health Sports Park.

“I was really, really excited to come in and get a couple of minutes from the coach with the team. I was really, really happy that we found a way to win the game.”

Puig Association

For the first time in over two months, Reus set up Riqui Puig’s curler in the 76th minute. With a late, close-range strike (84′), the former German international and current Borussia Dortmund player secured the victory.

Puig immediately shared his joy at teaming up with another really skilled attacker on X (Twitter) after the game. He has already successfully accomplished this this season with Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, and Dejan Joveljic.

“I hope that’s a glimpse of what’s to come. I think they can be very compatible because you see what Riqui does, Marco isn’t going to do,” remarked Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney.

“Riqui, who drops low, Marco, who kind of stays high. There’s a good combination there at times. So the question is, in my head, I have a vision. Tonight I saw some of what it can look like and the key now is to continue to grow that relationship and those around them.”

Reus concurs and has already shown interest in the FC Barcelona offering.

“When Riqui and [I are] on the field, you can see that the connection is there. We try to find each other and to help each other in difficult ways,” Reus said. “I gave him an easy assist and I was really, really happy for him and for the team.”

In just 28 minutes, Reus showed that his influence goes beyond helping goals. He generated a match-high three opportunities and two shots on goal, employing deft positioning and passing.

“I thought he came in and he brought class, composure, intelligence obviously, quality — a lot of things. In a way, he made things look a little bit easy at times,” Vanney said of the three-time Bundesliga Player of the Year.

“You see his quality out on the field and the pedigree is there. It’s pretty clear to see, so it’s exciting.”

Ideal Time

LA will gain from Reus’ championship-winning background as the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs draw near.

The regular season has seven games remaining. LA leads the Western Conference standings with 52 points. They are also four points behind leaders Inter Miami CF in the race for the Supporters’ Shield.

“As I said before the game Thursday, [Reus] could be a game-changer. I’m very happy for him. I’m very happy for the team,” added Galaxy captain Maya Yoshida.

“I felt like today, he [lifted] our midfielders or strikers to [another] level because I feel this kind of chemistry. … This could be another level that we needed. We still need to catch up with the other several clubs who we need to fight for the titles.”

As humble as possible, Reus reminded everyone that trophies are his primary concern.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team that we can continue this way,” said Reus, who formally signed 10 days ago. “[We] want to be champions after the season, so we take it game by game.”