Inter Miami faces suspensions, then beats Seattle

Inter Miami returned to a turbulent stretch of Major League Soccer fixtures this week, arriving at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 13 still reeling from the Leagues Cup final and short-handed through suspensions and injuries, and then rebounding three days later with a 3-1 victory over Seattle at Chase Stadium. The sequence underlined both the Herons' depth problems and their capacity to respond under pressure.

Miami had lost 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final to Seattle on Aug. 31, an ending that produced postmatch disciplinary action and a string of club penalties. The Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee announced a six-match suspension for Luis Suárez to be served during the 2026 tournament, and MLS issued an additional three-match ban that began with Miami's trip to Charlotte. The league suspension forced Suárez to miss the Charlotte game and the subsequent midweek fixture against Seattle, further thinning the Herons' attacking options.

Suárez issued a public apology on social media, writing that he regretted his reaction at the end of the Leagues Cup final and that the moment of frustration did not justify his behavior. Head coach Javier Mascherano said the club accepted MLS's...