Key Takeaways
- Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez struck 60 seconds apart to seal a 2-0 win for Inter Miami in Utah.
- The victory stretches Miami’s unbeaten league run to eight games and lifts them to second in the East.
- Lionel Messi fired blanks despite several clear openings, but coach Guillermo Hoyos praised the squad’s selfless spirit.
Inter Miami climbed to 18 points after a dramatic late show at America First Field on Wednesday night.
With the match drifting towards a draw, the visitors pounced twice in quick succession. First, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul bent a corner-kick routine into the top-right corner after 82 minutes. Moments later, substitute Luis Suárez cracked a left-foot volley beyond Rafael Cabral to double the lead.
Coach Guillermo Hoyos called Suárez’s strike “a golazo”, adding that the Uruguayan’s patience on the bench set the right example. “Legends can sulk when they don’t start, but El Pistolero showed pure professionalism,” the Argentine tactician said.
Dayne St. Clair collected his second clean sheet of the campaign as Real Salt Lake rarely threatened. The defeat ends RSL’s own six-game unbeaten streak and leaves them on 16 points.
Lionel Messi, fresh from two goals against Colorado at the weekend, drew three smart saves from Cabral but could not add to his tally. “Leo will score soon; tonight it was Rodri and Luis who delivered the magic,” Hoyos noted.
The sides last met in February 2024 when Miami also won 2-0 at Chase Stadium. They next return to action this weekend as the MLS calendar speeds towards the summer push.