Football General Manager
- Luis Suárez scored and provided two assists
- Inter Miami now sit on eight points
- Rodrigo De Paul netted his first goal as a Heron
Following Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Pumas at Chase Stadium u0026nbsp;- u0026nbsp;a result that secured their spot in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals – head coach Javier Mascherano took a moment to highlight the leadership, commitment, and work ethic of star striker Luis Suarez. The Urugyan legend has come under criticism for his lack of scoring this season, but he continues to lead the way for Miami with MLS assists at 10. The 38-year-old ended a nine-game scoring drought across all competitions in Wednesday’s win and also added two assists in a standout performance.
“He’s always thinking about the team. Even when he doesn’t have the ball, he works to reorganize. That kind of humility is rare in players who’ve been at the very top. I’m really happy for him,” said Mascherano.
Mascherano shared similar sentiments toward veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Their strong performances were even more valuable given the absence of Lionel Messi, who missed the match due to injury.
“They’re always looking to help the team – and help me,” Mascherano said. “I had the chance to play alongside them, and they’re incredibly smart. They understand what we need. Today, we asked Busquets to shift into a back three, and he did it instantly. You don’t even need to look at the bench when you can make tactical adjustments with the players on the field.”
With the win over Pumas, the Herons reached eight points and currently sit atop the MLS group standings, officially securing their spot in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
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As for Rodrigo De Paul, who netted his first goal for the club just a week after coming to South Florida, Mascherano was impressed by his quick impact and attitude.
“Rodrigo’s equalizer came at a great time – it gave us a sense of calm going into halftime,” Mascherano said. “We were clearly the better team in the second half. To play three matches in seven days, coming straight from vacation, with that level of effort and energy – it says a lot. He’s already making a big difference for us.”
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With Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Pumas, all four of Liga MX‘s so-called “big clubs” – América, Chivas, Cruz Azul, and Pumas – have officially been eliminated in the group stage. These teams, known for their rich history and massive fanbases, are now out of the 2025 Leagues Cup.
The Herons will face Orlando City this Sunday at Chase Stadium in an MLS matchup.
