Inter Miami drop more points as they suffer defeat against Toronto FC

Inter Miami 1 – 2 Toronto FC

MIAMI, FL–Inter Miami’s winless run continued after they were beaten at home by Toronto FC to make it five games without a win for the Herons.

The home side were expected to secure all three points, particularly against a Toronto side that have only just halted their own poor run of form beating New England recently.But it was another difficult night for Miami in front of their home fans as they struggled to click into gear and find the slick attacking game that we have become accustomed to.

There were some early warning signs too. Toronto had a goal disallowed for offside after ten minutes. They seemed like a side full of confidence and clearly hadn’t come all this way to roll over, and Miami had their chances. Rodrigo De Paul played a great ball in for Luis Suarez, but the striker rather pulled his shot and missed the target when he should have done better. German Berterame also had some half chances during the first half, but was foiled by some resolute Toronto defence.

As is their style, Miami controlled large parts of possession and were the dominant side, but they often flattered to deceive and their possession and build up play often came to nothing. They simply didn’t create enough in the final third and failed to make the most of the chances they did get throughout the game.

Messi is a constant threat to any defence and when linking up with De Paul and Suarez they can be deadly, but that magic seems to have evaded them of late.

Toronto showed no fear despite the expectations of the outcome. They were comfortable letting Miami have the ball and then make the most of any chances they got, which is exactly what they did.

As Miami pressed hard to open the scoring, they left themselves exposed at the back again and were undone by two quick goals around the hour mark that left them with a hill to climb.

Derrick Etienne ran at the defence with intent, and the ball eventually found its way to Josh Sargent, who picked his spot in the far corner and beat Dayne St. Clair, who may have been unsighted. Moments later, they got their second after the Miami defence were caught napping. Richie Laryea collected the ball and ran into acres of space as Miami backed off. The ball was played wide and the cross caused chaos in the penalty area and Etienne picked up the loose ball to side foot home.

Miami tried to raise their game after that as they searched for an answer. But it could have been three nil had it not been for a last gasp clearance off the line by Ian Fray after another goal-mouth scramble. Captain and inspiration Messi managed to get a goal back late on to give them hope. With added time to come, you would have expected a raid on the Toronto goal, but it never materialized.

They couldn’t break down a stubborn Toronto side that sit much further down the table on the fringes of the play off places.

Miami started this game with over a seventy percent win expectation, but their record at the Nu Stadium now sits at three wins from nine games, which is not the form of champions.

Photos by Edwin Gomez

Follow us on bluesky

Follow us on Twitter