Luis Suárez's Status Uncertain as Inter Miami Faces FC Cincinnati in Win-or-Go-Home MLS Playoff Clash

When Luis Suárez stepped onto the pitch for Inter Miami CF’s first-round playoff match against Nashville SC, no one expected his season to hang in the balance by the third game. But after a controversial red card for violent conduct in Game 2, the 37-year-old Uruguayan striker was suspended for the decisive match — and now, as Inter Miami prepares for Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal against FC Cincinnati, his availability remains a mystery. With kickoff set for November 24, 2024, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, the entire roster hinges on one question: Will Suárez play?

Who’s in the Starting XI? The Tactical Puzzle

Inter Miami CF’s projected lineup, as reported by Inter Heron on November 22, paints a picture of seasoned veterans and rising talent. Goalkeeper Javier Milán Ríos Novo, 23, will likely hold the net, flanked by a backline of Jordi Alba, 35, Noah Allen, 20, Maximiliano Falcón, 23, and Ian Fray, 21. In midfield, the heartbeat of the team remains Sergio Busquets, 36, alongside Baltasar Rodríguez, 21, and the summer signing Rodrigo de Paul, 30 — a player whose energy and vision have already reshaped Inter Miami’s tempo.

Up front, the puzzle is far more complex. Lionel Messi, 37, will almost certainly start on the left, his presence alone altering how FC Cincinnati defends. But who lines up centrally? The obvious answer is Suárez — a striker with 500+ professional goals, a World Cup winner, and the kind of clutch performer who thrives under pressure. But here’s the twist: Suárez hasn’t played since November 9. He was fined and suspended for his role in a physical altercation during the Nashville match, and since then, coach Javier Mascherano, 40, has said nothing definitive.

Mascherano’s Silence Speaks Volumes

"I am not going to discuss one player over another," Mascherano told reporters on November 22. "And I think it would be disrespectful to Luis’ storied career. No two games are the same. Cincinnati is not Nashville. Sunday you’ll see what I decide."

That’s not a denial. It’s not a confirmation. It’s a masterclass in psychological warfare — and possibly, a sign he’s already made the call but won’t tip his hand. The truth? He’s playing mind games with FC Cincinnati, the media, and even his own players. Because in a win-or-go-home game, you don’t reveal your strongest card until the final whistle.

But here’s what we do know: Inter Miami lost Game 3 of the Nashville series without Suárez. They won 2-1, yes — but they looked brittle. Messi was isolated. The ball didn’t move through the final third with the same urgency. The team missed his hold-up play, his physicality, his instinct for the penalty area. Now, with FC Cincinnati boasting the league’s second-best home record this season, Mascherano can’t afford to gamble.

The Alternatives: Youth vs. Experience

If Suárez doesn’t start, the options are limited. Tadeo Allende, 24, an Argentine forward with a knack for late runs, has been the most logical replacement. He scored twice in the regular season and played 68 minutes in the Nashville finale. But he’s not Suárez. He doesn’t command double teams. He doesn’t draw fouls in the box like a magnet.

Then there’s Allen Obando, 19 — a raw, electric talent from Ecuador who’s only started three MLS games. Pundits are divided. Some call him the future. Others say he’s not ready for a playoff crucible. The fact that Mascherano hasn’t named him in the 18-man squad for training this week? That tells you something.

"Fans want Suárez," said former MLS defender and analyst Carlos Bocanegra on ESPN’s MLS Now on November 23. "But coaches don’t pick teams based on nostalgia. They pick based on what wins today. If Suárez’s fitness is compromised — if he’s not 100% — then starting him could backfire. A single misstep in the 80th minute, and you’re out."

Why This Match Matters Beyond the Scoreline

For Inter Miami CF, this isn’t just about reaching the Eastern Conference final. It’s about legacy. Founded in 2018 by David Beckham and Jorge Mas, the club has spent millions on star power. Messi and Suárez were supposed to be the crown jewels. But until they win something — until they lift the MLS Cup — they’ll be called a spectacle, not a dynasty.

For FC Cincinnati, it’s a chance to prove they belong. The Lindner family-owned club, founded in 2015, has climbed from USL to MLS to playoff contender in less than a decade. Their TQL Stadium is a fortress — 22,000 fans, deafening noise, a home record of 12-3-4 this season. They’ve beaten the best. Now they get the biggest.

And for MLS as a whole? This is the moment the league needed. Two teams with contrasting identities — one built on global icons, the other on grit and homegrown talent — colliding in a single, high-stakes game. No gimmicks. No halftime shows. Just football.

What’s Next? The Ripple Effects

If Suárez plays and Inter Miami wins, the narrative shifts completely. His return becomes a fairytale comeback. The league will tout him as proof that veteran stars still matter. But if he sits and Inter Miami loses? Questions will explode: Was the suspension too harsh? Did Mascherano panic? Was the team too reliant on one player?

And if Suárez doesn’t play and Inter Miami still wins? That’s the real story. That means Mascherano has built a team beyond two aging legends. That means the future — Allende, Obando, Fray — is already here.

Either way, Sunday won’t just decide who reaches the conference final. It’ll define what Inter Miami CF truly is.