Luis Suárez scores two goals in 23 minutes, Inter Miami tops D.C. United 3-1 without Messi

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi stayed home in South Florida, but fans in the nation’s capital saw another soccer star shine on the pitch Saturday afternoon.

Luis Suárez, the 37-year-old Uruguayan striker who joined his friend Messi in Major League Soccer, scored two goals in 23 minutes off the bench to help Inter Miami snag a 3-1 victory against D.C. United at Audi Field.

Suárez entered the match as a substitute in the 62^nd minute, and found the back of the net in 10 minutes. He secured a brace with a goal in the 85^th minute to seal Inter Miami’s victory.

“He had about 30 minutes in the game, and he defined the game,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said of Suárez, whose tear in MLS continues with six goals with five assists in seven games across all competitions.

Messi injury update from Inter Miami coach after D.C. United game

Messi did not play due to a right hamstring injury, missing his second game of the 2024 MLS season. He has two matches with Argentina later this month, and Martino said the priority is for him to also be healthy for Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals matchup against LIGA MX side Monterrey in early April.

“We’ll continuously evaluate what he’s doing. The objective is for him to arrive to be able to play in the quarterfinals of Concacaf Champions Cup,” Martino said. “We don’t want to take a risk.”

Luis Suárez continues MLS tear

Martino said Suárez’s scoring has been expected since he joined Inter Miami after he earned the Golden Ball as the best player in the Brazilian league, scoring 17 goals for league runner-up Gremio last season.

“There was no reason to not be confident how he was going to perform here because two months prior, he had been performing really well,” Martino said of Suárez. “What’s important here is the confidence it generates for the team and the players.”

On his first goal: Suárez allowed Federico Redondo’s pass to reach Leo Campana, who sent a cross to Suárez that winded up in the back of the net.

On his second goal: Suárez received a pass from Diego Gomez, and waited patiently for his shot, a chip right over the D.C. United goalkeeper.

D.C. United’s Jared Stroud scored in the 14^th minute, while Campana tied it in the 24^th minute to spark a 1-1 tie at halftime before Suárez took over.

SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Messi hamstring injury could impact upcoming Argentina matches

Messi is expected to join the Argentina national team for two friendlies that will serve as warmups for this summer’s Copa America. And it’s possible his injury could limit him in both matches.

Argentina will play against El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22, and against Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26, during the FIFA international window (MLS still schedule games during this period).

Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23, when he'll be with Argentina; and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest purposes.

Messi will return to DMV area in June

While Inter Miami vs. D.C. United ticket buyers may be upset about his absence, Messi is scheduled to return with Argentina to the DMV in June.

Messi will join Argentina for a match against Guatemala at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland on June 14, which will serve as a warmup before Copa America this summer.

Luis Suárez gets brace with second goal: Inter Miami 3, D.C. United 1

"El Pistolero" has struck again for Inter Miami.

Luis Suárez has scored his second goal of the match in the 85th minute, a brace for the Uruguayan striker.

Suárez received a pass from Diego Gomez, and waited patiently for his shot, a chip right over the D.C. United goalkeeper.

Luis Suárez goal: Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 1

"El Pistolero" has made his presence felt in the nation’s capital: Luis Suárez scored in the 72^nd minute to give Inter Miami a 2-1 lead over D.C. United.

Suárez allowed Federico Redondo's pass to reach Leo Campana, who sent a cross back to Suárez, and the Uruguayan striker used his left foot to send it into the back of the net.

Suárez continues his tear in Major League Soccer, scoring his fifth goal in seven games across all competitions. He also has five assists.

The score came immediately after a contentious sequence on the other end, when Inter Miami’s Tomas Aviles may have defended a D.C. United goal attempt with his hand.

Luis Suárez enters in the 62^nd minute for Inter Miami vs. D.C. United

Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez, who has four goals and five assists in six games, has entered the match in the 62^nd minute.

With about 30 minutes left, it’s a good opportunity for the veteran to make an impact after resting in the first half.

Leo Campana goal: D.C. United 1, Inter Miami 1

Inter Miami’s aggressive persistence paid off 10 minutes after falling behind.

Defender Federico Redondo kept the play alive, even while laying on his back, and Leo Campana’s left boot found the back of the net for Inter Miami in the 24^th minute.

Jared Stroud goal: D.C. United 1, Inter Miami 0

D.C. United’s Jared Stroud delivered a strike with his right boot, and has given his side a 1-0 lead in the 14^th minute.

Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender had no answer, after a save on D.C. United’s Christian Benteke one minute earlier.

Inter Miami trails without Messi, while Suárez and Alba are on the bench.

Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba not in starting lineup vs. D.C. United

While Messi is out, Suárez and Alba will start Saturday’s match from the bench. Meanwhile, D.C. United's Christian Benteke will return from a groin injury.

Here are the starting lineups for both teams:

Inter Miami vs. D.C. United prediction

Inter Miami 2, D.C. United 2: No Messi, sure. But his fellow Barcelona stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and U.S. National Team goalie Drake Callender will likely play for Inter Miami. Just keep an eye on D.C. United’s Christian Benteke, who had a hat trick in their season opener and could return from a groin injury to play. Both sides will play to a draw if Inter Miami is engaged enough without Messi. − Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter, USA TODAY

Why is Lionel Messi not playing against D.C. United?

Inter Miami released a statement on Friday afternoon, regarding Messi’s hamstring injury:

“Messi came off in the 50th minute of Wednesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup win against Nashville SC due to discomfort suffered on his right leg during the match. Following a subsequent medical assessment, it has been determined that the captain has suffered a slight injury in his right hamstring and is expected to miss the away match on March 16 at D.C. United,” the statement said.

“After those matches, Messi’s availability will be determined based on daily medical assessments and the development of his recovery in the coming days.”

Messi was seen having his hamstring massaged during the first of two Champions Cup matches against Nashville SC. Messi was also kicked in the left leg, causing his left ankle to twist during that March 7 match.

MLS MatchDay 5: All games free on Apple TV

With the soccer G.O.A.T. sitting out another Inter Miami game, fans will have to settle for following the other intriguing action taking place around MLS this weekend. To highlight the action: There are five teams currently tied atop the Eastern Conference standings, and all five are in action on Saturday. In an added bonus for soccer-football fans, all of this weekend's MLS games are free to watch on Apple TV.

Messi the mega influencer: Brands love his 500 million followers and down-to-earth persona

Lionel Messi is a mega influencer by social media standards, but he’s so far from being a typical "influencer" — even with 500 million Instagram followers at his fingertips.

Messi’s rise to 500 million has coincided with momentum following his thrilling World Cup victory in December 2022 and his successful move to MLS and media partnership with Apple TV last summer, but it's also inextricably linked to who he is as a person.

Messi wears new Argentina Copa America 2024 jersey kit: Check out the new threads

Lionel Messi fans received a treat Thursday, when photos of the Argentine star wearing Argentina’s new Copa America 2024 jersey kit were shared online. Check out Messi’s Copa America schedule, too.

Who was the dog at the Oscars? Meet 'Messi' the border collie (not the soccer star)

Messi — the pup who played Snoop in “Anatomy of a Fall,” which was a five-time nominee and winner of "Best Original Screenplay" — had an eventful showing at The Oscars. Messi’s owner, Laura Martin Contini, is a professional dog trainer who said her two children named Messi are after the soccer legend.