Inter Miami secured a spot in the 2024 Major League Soccer playoffs after triumphing 2-0 over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, thanks to two goals from Luis Suarez.
Despite a red card to Tomas “Toto” Aviles late in the first half at Chase Stadium, the South Florida team cruised to a second-half victory against second-place Cincinnati.
Miami was again without Lionel Messi, who was watching the game from the stands along with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Messi has appeared in just 12 of Miami's 26 MLS games this season and is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury he suffered in Argentina's win over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.
Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said Friday that Messi would return before the end of the regular season.
The Herons return to the postseason for the first time since 2022, after failing to qualify last year by finishing the campaign in 14th place in the Eastern Conference table with just 34 points in 34 games.
The top seven teams in each conference automatically qualify for the first round of the best-of-three playoff series, which begins on October 26. In each series, the higher-seeded team will host the first game, before playing the second game on the road and returning for the third game if necessary.
Inter Miami will host at least one playoff game at Chase Stadium.
Following the first round, the playoffs will take a break to accommodate FIFA's November international window before resuming play on November 23 for the conference semifinals. MLS Cup will take place on December 7 at the home of the highest-seeded participant.
Inter Miami now sits atop the Eastern Conference with 56 points from 26 games, extending their lead over Cincinnati to eight points. With eight regular-season games remaining, Miami also leads the race for the 2024 Supporters' Shield and has a chance to set a new team points record.
