MIAMI — The sun was shining Friday morning as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami prepared for, arguably, the most critical game in the team’s six-year history; but a cloud of controversy regarding Luis Suarez’s suspension hung over the club on the eve of Saturday’s decisive playoff game against Nashville SC.

Suarez on Wednesday was suspended by the MLS disciplinary committee for Saturday’s game for “violent conduct” during Game 2 of the series last weekend. He also was issued an undisclosed fine.

An MLS official confirmed to the Miami Herald that Nashville SC submitted a request for review of the play to the disciplinary committee after the game. Per league rules, teams are allowed to ask for reviews and get up to four unsuccessful attempts during the regular season and one during the playoffs.

The committee ruled that Suarez kicked Nashville defender Andy Najar in the thigh while the two were running in the box in the 71st minute of Miami’s 2-1 loss at GEODIS Park in Nashville last Saturday. Najar fell to the ground, but no foul was called on the play. Because of the ruling, Nashville retains the right to ask for another review during the playoffs.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano said that Suarez was “very surprised” by the ruling and, with the club’s support, appealed, but the suspension was upheld.

“He was surprised because it happened during the run of play and if you start to delve into all those types of situations in a game, there are a few,” Mascherano said.

The club issued a statement in response to the ban saying it “accepts and respects” the decision but expressed concern about a precedent being set and hoped the same standard would be applied in all games for all teams.

Asked Friday morning for his opinion on the matter, Mascherano said: “I think the club was clear in its statement it made the other day, and I think all of us in the club are on the same page. As for my personal opinion, I found it very strange because there is VAR, the play was reviewed in real time and there was no suggestion of any sanction, either from the referee or VAR.

“But the MLS rules are what they are. We don’t agree, but we accept and respect the decision. We just hope the rules are the same for everyone. I am not an MLS historian to know if there is a precedent of a player being suspended during the playoffs.”

In fact, there is, though such situations are infrequent.

— On Nov. 5, 2023, the MLS disciplinary committee suspended Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathias Laborda for one match and fined him an undisclosed amount for his role in a confrontation during a playoff game against LAFC. Laborda was cited for entering the field and inciting or escalating the brawl.

— On Nov. 7, 2023, MLS issued a three-match suspension during the playoffs to Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner for violating the league’s on-field anti-discrimination policy during the Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution match the week before. A red card had not been issued, but the decision came following an investigation into the racial slur against Bobby Wood.

— On Dec. 11, 2015, after the playoffs were over, Sporting Kansas City forward Krisztián Németh was retroactively issued a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for an incident described as “violent conduct” in the 74th minute of their 2015 MLS playoff game against the Portland Timbers Oct. 29, 2015. He missed the first game of the 2016 regular season.

It is the second time this season that Suarez, the 38-year-old Uruguayan forward, was suspended by the league.

He was suspended for three MLS regular-season games in September, in addition to a six-game 2026 Leagues Cup ban, as punishment for his behavior on the field immediately after the 2025 Leagues Cup final against the Seattle Sounders on Aug. 31.

Suarez was seen grabbing a Sounders player by the neck and later spitting on a Seattle security official.

Mascherano dismissed the suggestion that Inter Miami has more expulsions than other teams, and MLS statistics back him up.

Inter Miami ranked seventh in the league in discipline points this season with 80 yellow cards and four reds. Philadelphia topped the list with 96 yellows and four reds, and D.C. United was second with 94 yellows and four reds. Seattle Sounders led MLS with six red cards and four teams had five.

“Let’s not make a circus out of this because of what happened in Seattle,” Mascherano said. “Ian Fray’s red card in the game against Houston was given in error and was overturned. What happened in Seattle, we said we clearly made a mistake.”

Suarez’s suspension comes at a critical time, as Inter Miami and Nashville SC are tied 1-1 in the best-of-3 first round series. The winner of the game at Chase Stadium on Saturday advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals to face the winner of the series between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, which is also level at 1-1.

The loser sees its season come to an end. Inter Miami knows that feeling all too well, after falling far short of expectations last season with a first-round exit at the hands of Atlanta United.

Mascherano said the team is highly motivated to put that disappointment behind and make club history as the first Inter Miami team to advance in the playoffs, and that Suarez will be missed.

“There is no point to keep talking about [Suarez’s suspension] because the club made a statement, it was clear, and we have to concentrate on the game Saturday, which is the most important thing, and we have had time to prepare without Luis,” he said.

“Obviously, he is a very important player, one of our leaders, but it doesn’t do any good to waste energy focusing on this issue because it is out of our control.”

The coach said he has a plan to replace Suarez but was not willing to share that with reporters. Tadeo Allende replaced Suarez during the previous suspensions. Other options include Fafa Picault and Allen Obando, who has missed most of the season with injuries.

Mascherano expects another difficult, intense game against Nashville. It will be the fourth game in a row that the teams face each other. Miami won the regular-season finale 5-2, won Game 1 of the playoffs 3-1, and lost 2-1 in Game 2.

“We have to understand, this is like a final for us, so we have to play with cool minds and hot hearts,” Mascherano said.

Rios Novo on controversial play

Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo on Friday spoke about the play that led to a Nashville penalty kick in Game 2. Rios Novo was called for a foul on Sam Surridge in the box and Surridge converted the PK to give Nashville a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute.

“It was an unfortunate play,” he said. “I’m the first who wants to respond well in that situation. It was a quick play. I hesitated for a moment at the start of the play and that led me to not connect with the ball. One thing led to another, and they got the penalty.

“But it’s a learning experience. Every experience, good or bad, helps you improve.”

Mascherano on Tata Martino’s return to MLS

Former Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, who abruptly left at the end of last season and did not coach this year, will return to MLS in 2026 with Atlanta United, where he won the 2018 MLS Cup.

“I am very happy for Gerardo [Tata’s given name], I have a lot of affection for him, he was my coach at Barcelona and also with the Argentine national team,” Mascherano said. “He’s not only a great coach. He’s a wonderful person. Also, I think people like Tata Martino elevate the level of the league.”

Ryan Sailor Injury Update

Defender Ryan Sailor has been dealing with a knee injury for the past 10 days and is unavailable for the game.

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