Luis Suárez scores twice for second straight game as Inter Miami cruise past Fire 4-1 – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Luis Suárez scored twice in a second straight game to spark Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.

Suárez scored both goals in a 2-0 away win over FC Cincinnati last time out as Inter Miami became the third-fastest team to clinch a playoff spot in a 34-game season . Only Los Angeles FC (25 in 2019 and 2022) and Cincinnati (26 in 2023) have qualified earlier. He scored the earliest goal in club history when he needed just 30 seconds to find the net against Cincinnati.

Inter Miami (18-4-5) led 1-0 at halftime thanks to an own goal by Chicago defender Tobias Salquist in the 25th minute.

Suarez scored in the first minute of the second half for a two-goal lead and the 37-year-old striker made it 3-0 in the 65th minute with his 16th goal of his first season in the league. . Diego Gómez made the seventh assist on the first goal. Defender Jordi Alba earned his eight assists on his second score, while Sergio Busquets earned his sixth.

Chicago (6-13-8) put the game away in the 82nd minute when 20-year-old forward Georgios Koutsias scored for the first time this season. Kellyn Acosta scored the second goal.

Robert Taylor scored in the third minute from stoppage time to complete the scoring. It was his fifth goal of the season. Leo Campana got the second assist and David Ruiz got the third.

Drake Callender had three saves in goal for Inter Miami.

Chris Brady stopped five shots.

Inter Miami is 3-4-1 all-time against Chicago after also beating the Fire 2-1 at home on July 20.

Inter Miami again played without superstar Lionel Messi, who has not stepped on the pitch since injuring his ankle while playing for Argentina in the Copa America final on July 14.

The Fire will host DC United on Saturday. Inter Miami is off until September 14 when they host Charlotte FC.

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