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Luis Suarez scored a quick-fire double to fire Inter Miami into the MLS play-offs. The Herons beat FC Cincinnati 2-0 to make a return to the play-offs for the first time since 2022. It has been a remarkable turnaround for David Beckham's franchise over the last year. This time last year, their play-off hopes quickly faded despite being buoyed by the signing of Lionel Messi. Phil Neville was fired as manager and Gerardo 'Tata' Martino was hired in his place. Suarez scored two goals in the first six minutes to secure play-off qualification. Inter Miami are top of the Eastern Conference with 56 points in 26 games, extending its lead over Cincinnati to eight points. Miami also leads the race for the 2024 Supporters' Shield and has the possibility to set a new team points record. They also became the third-fastest team to secure a spot in the postseason in a 34-game MLS season, doing so within just 26 games; And they've had to do it without Messi. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had to watch on from the stands, among a star-studded audience that included NFL icon Tom Brady, while he recovers from an ankle injury. Messi has feature in just 12 of Inter Miami's 26 MLS games this season. “What we have to do is continue to maintain our performance, ” Martino said. “We don't want to try to modify the way in which the team is facing each of the matches because we're at the final stretch, and then have to review how to play the last few games before the playoffs, because they're completely different situations. "But like I said yesterday in the press conference before the match, I believe that we're strengthened by the Columbus game without doubt. What happened today shows it. ” Messi, who will not be involved for Argentina in the upcoming international break, could be nearing a return. “Leo, like I said the other day, I can't tell you exactly what time, but he's already on the field. He is working with his physical therapist, he's out of the medical ward, he is training with a ball, ” said Martino. “So he has to get back in shape or recover most of his fitness that any player loses when they are out for five or six weeks, and to feel confident that his injury is behind him. But it is something that I believe is not very far from happening. ” Have your say on all things talk SPORT by joining ‘The DUGOUT’ – our new listener panel. We're all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talk SPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it! Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions. Just by joining, you'll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please click here. This service is provided on talk SPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy.