Inter Miami clinch MLS playoff spot with Luis Suárez double

inter Miami clinch MLS playoff spot with Luis Suarez double inter Miami clinch to slot in the 2024 major league soccer playoffs after triumphing 2 to zero over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale Florida thanks to two goals from Lee Suarez despite a red card to Tomas totto aila's late in the first half at Chase Stadium the south Florida side saw out the win in the second half against second place Cincinnati Miami was again with lonel Messi who was watching on from the stands along with seven times Super Bowl champion Tom Brady Messi has featured in just 12 of Miami's 26 MLS games this season and is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury suffered in Argentina's win over Colombia in the Copa America Final on July 14th Miami coach herard Tata Martino said Friday that Messi would return before the end of the regular season the herens returned to the postseason for the first time since 2020 two after failing to qualify last year when concluding the campaign in 14th Place on the Eastern conference table with just 34 points and 34 games the top seven teams from each conference qualify automatically for the round one best of three playoff series which kicks off on October 26th each series will see the higher seed host the first game before playing the second away and returning for the third match if it's necessary inter Miami will host at least one playoff match at Chase Stadium following the first round the playoffs will take a break to accommodate the November FIFA international window before resuming play on November 23rd for the conference semi-finals MLS Cup will be held on December 7th at the home of the higher ranked participant inter Miami now sits in first place in the Eastern Conference with 56 points in 26 games extending its lead over Cincinnati to eight points with eight regular season matches left to play Miami also leads the race for the 2024 supporter shield and has the possibility to set a new team points record do Birmingham England there aren't many obvious areas for Arsenal to improve from last season but beating Aston Villa is one of them the Gunners amassed 89 points last campaign finishing second to Manchester City in the Premier League title race but lost both matches to Villa with Arsenal manager Mikel areda lamenting his team's errant finishing in each defeat nothing could possibly be more clinical than scoring with your first touch and that is precisely what Leandro trer did in the 67th minute on Saturday setting Arsenal on the path to a two to zero win while it's early days it will feel like a significant step forward in their search for marginal gains over the course of this campaign the two previous performances against Aston Villa on paper you have to win comfortably and we didn't so there was something missing today we did it said Arta trer started on the bench but replaced Gabriel Martinelli as a substitute in the 65th minute moments before scoring the decisive goal when you don't get picked there are certain ways to react ARA said Leo is upset but he's upset to show on the pitch how good he is not upset then come in and because I wasn't playing then it is like this that's a huge quality when you put him in the starting 11 he does exactly the same thing that's a big message and a big example for the rest of the team and myself tr's composed right foot finish after the ball fell to him in the Box as Kai havs tackled Morgan Rogers from buo Sak's cutback was in marked contrast to Villa Striker Ali Watkins evening the 28-year-old did not play a single minute in preseason after featuring an England's run to the final of Euro 2024 and it showed with 25 minutes played in a kg game the only notable highlight of which was a fine Amano Martinez saved to deny Saka early on Leon Bailey tackled Gabriel magal on the edge of the Arsenal box Rogers fed the loose ball to Watkins and suddenly Villa had a glorious chance to take the lead Watkins unmarked 10 yards out dragged his effort wide Watkins was at fault again 9 minutes into the second half amadu oana's shot deflected off Gabriel and hit the crossbar with Watkins first to react for yards out and with a gaping goal to aim at Watkins could only steer his diving header within the range of goalkeeper David Rya nevertheless it was a stunning recovery from Ria to get back to his feet and launch himself to his left to repel Watkins effort with a strong hand when we had to rely on certain individuals we did like the situation of David that is an unbelievable save Arta said when we made the changes the impact they had was tremendous when the team starts to be equipped that way and starts to be able to navigate through different contexts in the match it becomes a team that can win in every place today we showed that trer meanwhile occupies a curious position in that he is not a regular starter but is probably the best finisher ARA has at his disposal that is just one reason why the clamor for the Gunners to sign another attacking player before the transfer window closes has continued to grow but this was another occasion that will likely convince sarta to go with the options he has unless a top Target Nico Williams at athletic Bilbo is of particular interest becomes available in the final week yet Super Sub is a role trer seems to thrive in six of the belgian's 14 League goals for Arsenal have been off the bench the highest percentage 43% of any player for the club in the Premier League Thomas party curled in a second with the help of some soft hands from Martinez and while Villa were left to Ru their opportunities Arsenal could celebrate an important Victory it was tempting to ask whether if efficiency cost Arsenal against Villa last season as areda suggested beforeand hand they had a higher XG or expected goals in both games but failed to score in 180 minutes then was there improved efficiency of the difference on Saturday 100% replied Arta last year we generated more obviously because of the context of the game when they scored first today they did something a little different to what we expected especially in the first phase of our buildup in the way they behave this is what we have to do against any formation any opponent we are finding ways to be a threat from many areas that's a big compliment for the team further tough tests await with bright and fresh from beating Manchester United up next weekend before back-to-back away games at Tottenham and City Arsenal's ability to stay on track on the road faces a Stern test but they can point to a clear sign of progress by beating Villa and that is a welcome boost just two games into a campaign in which they believe Breaking the 90-point Barrier is essential to beat City to the title