When Luis Alberto Suárez Díaz didn’t step onto the pitch for Inter Miami’s Eastern Conference Semifinal win over FC Cincinnati, fans didn’t just notice — they worried. At 38, the Uruguayan legend has spent his career as a predator in the box, a name etched in football history from Liverpool to Barcelona to Atlético Madrid. But on November 24, 2025, with the MLS Eastern Conference Final Chase Stadium looming, his absence wasn’t due to injury. It was strategy. Head coach Javier Adelmar Zanetti Mascherano, the 41-year-old Argentine former captain turned tactician, made a bold call: bench Suárez. And it worked. Inter Miami won 4-0. Again.
The Tactical Pivot That Changed Everything
The decision to start Mateo Nahuel Silvetti, the 22-year-old Argentine midfielder, over Suárez wasn’t random. It was the culmination of weeks of observation. Mascherano realized that with Sergio Alejandro Busquets Burgos (37) anchoring the midfield and Rodrigo Javier De Paul (30) driving forward, Suárez’s lone-striker role was creating too much space between the lines. The team was over-reliant on Lionel Andrés Messi to create, even though he was already carrying an impossible load. Silvetti, meanwhile, offered something Suárez couldn’t: mobility, pressing, and a direct link to Busquets’ passing range. In the two playoff starts he’s made, Silvetti has recorded one goal and three assists — not flashy, but essential. He’s the glue between defense and attack. And when you’ve got Messi dropping deep to orchestrate, you need someone who can occupy the half-spaces, not just wait for the ball in the box. "It’s not about replacing a legend," one anonymous assistant coach told MLSsoccer.com. "It’s about maximizing what we have. Suárez is still dangerous off the bench. But this system? It needs someone who can run, press, and transition. That’s Mateo."Messi’s Historic Run and the Supporting Cast
Let’s not pretend this is just about Suárez. The real story here is Lionel Andrés Messi. Through the 2025 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, he’s racked up 6 goals and 6 assists — 12 total goal contributions. That’s a new single-postseason record in MLS history. He’s done it while playing through minor knocks, while carrying the weight of expectation from Miami to Montevideo. But he’s not alone. Tadeo Allende, the 24-year-old Argentine forward, has added 5 goals and 2 assists. And when Silvetti came in, he didn’t just help defensively — he freed up space for Allende to cut inside and finish. The 4-0 win over FC Cincinnati wasn’t just Messi magic; it was system magic. Inter Miami’s path to the Conference Final? Dominant. They swept Nashville SC 4-0 in Game 3 of Round One, then crushed FC Cincinnati with the same ruthless efficiency. No drama. No late goals. Just control. And that’s why Mascherano’s decision makes sense — they’re not fighting to survive. They’re hunting.
New York City FC: The Underdog with Teeth
But don’t mistake Inter Miami’s dominance for invincibility. Their opponent, New York City FC, isn’t here by accident. Under 40-year-old Dutch coach Pascal Jansen, they’ve played like a team with nothing to lose. They beat Charlotte FC in a tight two-leg series, then stunned the Philadelphia Union 1-0 in the semifinals on a goal from Maximiliano Moralez, the 37-year-old Argentine maestro who still has that old-school flair. Their defense? Led by Matt Freese, the 27-year-old U.S. goalkeeper who made five saves in that 1-0 win. And despite Alonso Martínez being sidelined with a knee injury, NYCFC’s midfield — led by 21-year-old Argentine Nicolás Fernández Mercau — has shown remarkable cohesion. This isn’t a mismatch. It’s a clash of philosophies: Inter Miami’s star-driven precision versus NYCFC’s collective grit.What’s Next? The Road to MLS Cup 2025
The winner of Saturday’s MLS Eastern Conference Final Chase Stadium advances to MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi on December 6. The rules are simple: 90 minutes, two 15-minute extra time periods if tied, then penalties. No away goals. No VAR drama. Just football. Inter Miami’s roster is deep, but fatigue is a real concern. Messi has played every minute. Busquets is 37. Suárez hasn’t started in two games. Can they hold up? Mascherano’s gamble may pay off — but only if the midfield continues to function like clockwork.
Why This Matters Beyond the Pitch
This isn’t just about tactics. It’s about legacy. Suárez, a man who scored 50+ goals for Barcelona and led Uruguay to Copa América glory, is now being managed like a chess piece — not retired, but repositioned. That’s the reality of aging stars in modern soccer. The game evolves. Coaches adapt. Even legends must bend. For fans, it’s bittersweet. We want to see Suárez score. We remember his goals. But the team is winning. And in playoffs, winning trumps nostalgia.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Luis Suárez not starting if he’s still a top scorer?
Suárez hasn’t been benched due to form or injury — he’s still dangerous off the bench. But coach Javier Mascherano shifted to a midfield-dominant system that prioritizes pressing and transition over a lone striker. Mateo Silvetti’s energy and link-up play with Busquets and De Paul have improved Inter Miami’s control, making Suárez more effective as a substitute who can exploit tired defenses late in games.
Has Suárez been suspended, or is this purely tactical?
While early reports mentioned a "suspension," no official disciplinary action was confirmed by MLS or Inter Miami. The team has consistently cited tactical reasons for his absence. Suárez was seen on the bench during the Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati matches, wearing training gear, not in street clothes — a sign he’s part of the plan, not sidelined.
How has Messi’s performance changed with Suárez out of the lineup?
Messi’s role has actually expanded. With Silvetti and Allende creating more movement in the final third, Messi is dropping deeper to collect the ball, then threading passes or driving forward himself. His 12 goal contributions in the playoffs are a record, and his average distance covered per game has increased — proving he’s thriving in a system that gives him more space to dictate play.
What are Inter Miami’s chances against New York City FC?
Inter Miami are favorites, but NYCFC’s resilience makes them dangerous. Miami’s attack is more explosive, but NYCFC’s defense has kept clean sheets in two of their last three games. If Silvetti and De Paul can control the midfield and Messi finds space early, Inter Miami wins. But if Moralez and Freese neutralize the tempo, this could go to penalties — and NYCFC has the composure to win one.
Where can I watch the Eastern Conference Final?
The match will be broadcast exclusively on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. Subscriptions start at $14.99/month. For Spanish-language coverage, the fubo Latino Package includes the game with 200+ channels. ESPN+, Paramount+, and Peacock also offer soccer packages, but only MLS Season Pass carries every MLS playoff match live.
Is this the end of Suárez’s career at Inter Miami?
Not even close. Suárez still has one year left on his contract, and his marketability and leadership remain invaluable. At 38, he’s no longer the focal point — but he’s still the locker room’s conscience. If Inter Miami reaches MLS Cup, expect him to start the final if fitness allows. His legacy isn’t about minutes — it’s about moments.
