Why isn’t Luis Suarez playing for Inter Miami in the MLS Eastern Conference final against New York City FC?

InterMiami is hosting the MLS Eastern Conference Finals in return for New York City F.C at Chase Stadium, with a spot in the 2025 MLS Cup on the line. But ahead of such a crucial match, eyebrows were raised as a star striker Luis Suarez was left out of the starting eleven.

Luis Suárez starts the match against New York City on the bench due to a technical decision by head coach Javier Mascherano. The Uruguayan striker is not injured and is fully eligible to play, but the Argentine manager has chosen to keep him out of the starting line-up.

This is the second time Suárez has started on the bench since serving his suspension in Game 2 against Nashville. The first came in the conference semifinals against FC Cincinnatiwith Mascherano opting for an attacking trio of Mateo Silvetti, Tadeo Allende And Lionel Messiwith the former Liverpool star coming on in the second half.

Silvetti is gradually starting to take Suárez’s place as the veteran striker has experienced a dip in form during the 2025 season. Suspended for Game 3 against Nashville, the 19-year-old seized his opportunity and will be back in Miami’s starting lineup.

Mascherano on Suarez’s departure

Despite having a dip in form in 2025 MLS season, Leaving a player of Suárez’s caliber on the bench is a bold decision for a relatively inexperienced coach like Mascherano. However, the decision has paid off so far and the Herons are in the midst of their strongest play-off run in club history.

see also

Inter Miami vs. New York City FC LIVE: Lionel Messi performs in the first final of the MLS Eastern Conference

During his pre-match press conference, Mascherano expressed his “difficultdecides to leave Suárez out in the win over Cincinnati: “It is clear that when you have to make decisions, the situation with Luis is clear (difficult) because of the attention around him and because he is a player who has had such a career and scored so many goals everywhere, because of how important Luis is to this team – it is never easy. But that doesn’t mean the other decisions are easier.”