Miami win but their defensive frailties were exposed again

Toronto FC 2 – 4 Inter Miami

TORONTO, ON–Inter Miami secured all three points against a depleted Toronto FC who gave the Herons a scare late on with two late goals. Four goals to the good and seemingly cruising, Miami were in a commanding position, but their leaky defence conceded more goals when they should have comfortably seen the game out.

Miami again dominated the possession, but they were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply with Micael and Rodrigo DePaul both losing the ball in dangerous areas.

Toronto had nine first team players unavailable, but you wouldn’t have guessed it the way they started as they forced Miami on to the back foot. They looked more dangerous and showed greater attacking ambition in the opening half hour, as both sides tried to work some openings.

But it was a tactical opening half that was devoid of any real exciting moments to get the crowd off of their seats.

Lionel Messi was at the centre of everything for Miami as he linked play and was a constant threat. He had a wonderful, volleyed effort go wide of the goal but the game was lacking any real goal scoring opportunities.

As the first half minutes ticked down, Miami won a free kick on the edge of the area. As we waited for the anticipated attempt by Messi, it was De Paul that struck the wall with his shot, only to volley the rebound in off the post.

Moments later, Toronto almost hit back when a shot was goal bound but for a great save from Dayne St. Clair to preserve the half time lead.

The second half saw a more purposeful Miami side and they showed their full attacking threat.

With a Toronto player strewn on the floor near his own goal mouth, Miami took full advantage with Messi and Luis Suarez using the opportunity. They moved into the space and punished Toronto as Suarez found the net.

Toronto tried to work their way back into the game with some decent possession and half chances, but they were undone again when second half substitute Sergio Reguilon intercepted the ball and played it to Messi. The full back continued his run and was rewarded with a pass from Messi that gave him a shooting chance that he took very well.

And they were at it again soon after when De Paul played a one two with Messi and the Miami captain fired it in to turn what was a tricky encounter into what appeared to be a spanking.

But Toronto weren’t finished yet, and they got a goal back late on when Facunda Mura tried to clear the ball from his own penalty area. The Miami defender was unlucky as he attempted to clear he touched the ball with his planting foot, which led to a swing and a miss. Emilio took full advantage with St. Clair stranded.

And while it looked like little more than a consolation goal at the time, they scored again when Emilio’s thumping header added to his first.

With last week’s implosion still fresh in the mind when Miami threw away a three-goal advantage, they started to rock and Toronto had their tails up. It was a chaotic end to the game as both sides were going at it. A late Toronto penalty appeal was waved away, and Miami were able to close out the match.

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