NEW YORK (Thursday, July 23, 2026) – Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez was voted the Major League Soccer Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA for Matchdays 16 and 17 of the 2026 MLS season.
Suárez delivered a clinical performance, scoring twice to lift Inter Miami CF to a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire FC in the club’s first game back after the FIFA World Cup break (Watch Highlights From His Performance Here). Suárez’s two goals were his seventh and eighth of the season and helped Miami maintain its second-place position in the Eastern Conference and rise to second in the Supporters’ Shield standings. The Uruguayan star has now scored 38 regular-season goals for Inter Miami, which is the second most in club history behind only Lionel Messi (62). Suárez has started each of the last five games for Miami and has recorded at least one goal contribution in each, propelling the Herons to victories in all five matches.
After falling behind in the first half, Suárez equalized in the 27th minute from the penalty spot with a clinical finish (Watch Here). Suárez added his second of the night in the 51st minute after a tremendous backheeled assist from Germán Berterame that the Uruguayan calmly slotted into the side netting (Watch Here) before Chicago tied the match. The Herons’ No. 9 also played a role in the game-winning goal, forcing a save from Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady before the rebound was turned home by Preston Plambeck three minutes from the final whistle (Watch Here).
This is the fourth time Suárez has been named MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA and it is his first honor since Matchday 29 of 2024. He now surpasses Leonardo Campana (three) for the second-most Player of the Matchday honors in club history, behind only Lionel Messi (14).
Suárez and Inter Miami will return to action this Saturday, July 25, when they travel to face CF Montréal at Stade Saputo (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS on Apple TV).
The MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob ULTRA is selected each matchday of the regular season through both media and fan voting in a process conducted by MLS Communications. A panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) comprises 75 percent of the vote, while an Instagram fan vote represents the remaining 25 percent of voting. NASR consists of members of print, television, radio, and online media.
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