Inter Miami moved closer to a playoff berth with a convincing 4-0 victory over Toronto FC in the MLS thanks to Robert Taylor’s outstanding effort as a substitute.
Taylor unfortunately entered the game early in the 37th minute because of an injury to another player, which wasn’t good for Inter Miami’s overall predicament.
Taylor’s presence, combined with his subsequent two goals and an assist, helped Inter Miami secure a significant victory while Lionel Messi was out due to muscle problems.
After taking two days off the week prior, it was thought that Messi was fully recovered. However, he struggled after just 30 minutes of play and was eventually replaced.
With Messi, Alba, and Sergio Busquets all dealing with injuries, the situation deteriorated when star colleague Jordi Alba also had to leave the field due to an injury. This raised doubts about Coach Gerardo Martino‘s early term.
Fortunately for Miami, Coach Martino stated during the game that Messi was experiencing “fatigue” but had no significant musculoskeletal issues. There are still issues, though, as Inter Miami is now in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings and is only five points off of a playoff spot with six games remaining.
Inter Miami’s starting lineup (3-4-3, right to left): 6. B. Evans (Kremski, 65′), 27. Krivtsov, and 1 K. Calonder (GK) Miller and Number Two Yedlin Busquets, 5. 17. J. Martinez (Campana, 65′), 11. Fariyas, 41. D. Ruiz (Arojo, 65′), 18. Alba (Elan, 34′), 10. Messi (R. Taylor, 37′).
(4-3-3, right to left) Toronto FC T. Romero (GK), 30 17. Rosted, 19. Franklin Bradley, 4. Petretta (Antonoglou, 69′), number 28 52. Koello (Ashirwad, 69′), 21. Osorio, 8. V. Vazquez (Slovenia, 12′ – Ibarra, 26′), and 10 Bernardezki, 29 Ker (Sapong, 69’), and 24 Insigne.
Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami Live commentary, highlights, and updates
At the end, Inter Miami won 4-0. FC Toronto At DRV PNK Stadium, Robert Taylor’s explosive arrival from the bench ignited the MLS playoff race when he scored twice and provided an assist, giving Inter Miami a significant win and three critical points.
Taylor was introduced for another reason, which was unfortunate for Inter Miami since Lionel Messi was injured and Taylor took his position. The nervous Inter Miami supporters are now awaiting updates on Messi’s health as well as Jordi Alba’s, who was also out injured.
Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami:
Second Half Goal in the 87th minute! Miami Inter! Take a bow, Robert Taylor! Taylor used a tight angle to strike a stunning goal with the outside of his boot into the far corner of the goal after Fakundo Fariyas provided an amazing ball over Toronto FC’s defense.
When Lionel Messi gets hurt, Taylor steps in and does well! 83rd minute: Toronto FC has a chance! Lorenzo Insigne nearly scored a miraculous goal, but his long-range attempt was stopped by Drake Callender’s post.
79th minute: Inter Miami has a chance! The pressure from the hosts is increasing. Lionel Messi has been replaced by Robert Taylor, who this time sends Leonel Campana, a player from Ecuador, in an advantageous position. Campana, who is in excellent form, attempts to take a shot, but Thomas Romero manages to deflect the ball only slightly.
Goal in the 73rd minute! Miami Inter! Robert Taylor scores twice thanks to an outstanding finish by Benja Kremaschi off of Taylor’s lofted ball. During the most recent international break, the 18-year-old player participated in the USMNT camp and may soon have to choose between playing for Argentina or the United States.
69th minute: Toronto FC changes! For Toronto FC, Themi Antonoglou, Latif Blessing, and CJ Sapong all come on as triple substitutes. Following two early injuries, Toronto is making these alterations for the first time.
Robert Taylor briefly leaves the pitch in the 67th minute when some blood was noticed on his lip, most likely as a result of a contact with Thomas Yedlin. Yedlin and Thomas Evans appear to have collided during the aerial combat.
Inter Miami scores in the 48th minute! Inter Miami’s lead is doubled thanks to Robert Taylor’s excellent performance! At first glance, it appeared as though the player who took Lionel Messi’s place on the field was confined to the top-left corner of the penalty area. The attempt, which snuck in the side netting, stunned everyone as he dribbled and reset to himself on the side, but he revealed a small opening and, with a low shot, drove it home!
At the beginning of the game, it appeared like Sergio Busquets would be replaced, but Thomas Evans and Josep Martinez have been replaced by David Ruiz.
Initially, it looked as though Sergio Busquets would be replaced; however, Thomas Evans has taken David Ruiz’s place, while Benja Kremaschi has replaced Joseph Martinez.
Inter Miami scores in the 54th minute! Robert Taylor performs magnificently to increase Inter Miami’s advantage! The area in the top-left corner of the penalty box appeared to be packed for the player who took Lionel Messi’s place on the field. The attempt, which snuck in the side netting, stunned everyone as he dribbled and reset to himself on the side, but he revealed a small opening and, with a low shot, drove it home!
51st minute: Toronto FC has a chance! Oh my, Inter Miami is playing badly, and they almost let Toronto score a goal from behind! Serhiy Krivtsov receives the ball from Kamal Miller clumsily, but Lorenzo Insigne immediately closes him down inside the penalty area.
47th minute: Toronto FC has a chance! The goal has been disallowed despite Federico Bernardeschi’s ability to intercept Miami’s defensive line from a great height and put the ball behind the goal on the counter.
Kick-off: Despite the absence of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami must now continue their effort against Toronto FC in order to earn three points.
We’re not expected to learn much tonight, but Tata Martino said they’ll treat it “day by day” when talking about the injury.
Inter Miami leads Toronto FC 1-0 at the half.
The superior team, Inter Miami, had a promising opening for Facundo Faras in stoppage time. The injuries to Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, which put Inter Miami’s playoff hopes in doubt and forced them to the SET for the U.S. Open Cup Final in a week, were the major stories of the first half, though.
Toronto FC has also lost some players to injuries, and despite having a few chances in the opening period, they were unable to score. There are still plenty more goals to be scored in this game if the second half is as competitive as the first.
Chicago Fire is currently down Columbus 3-0, and D.C. United is also down, which is significant for Inter Miami. At halftime, Charlotte FC and New York Red Bulls are tied with their opponents, while NYCFC leads Orlando City 1-0.
Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami: First Half 45+7 Minutes: Joseph Martinez was set up for a shot, but Thomas Romero came out of his line to stop it, and then he was flagged for offside.
45 plus 3 minutes Goal! Miami Inter! Unlike Messi? No issue! His fellow Argentinean Facundo Faras scored a pivotal goal to give Inter Miami the lead!
Thomas Romero must punch the ball clearly after Noah Allen crosses it deep, putting it in Faras’ path for a decisive finish.
Minute 42: Four players have already been removed from this game due to injuries, and now there is another pause as Sergi Krivtsov and Deandre Kerr have both undergone injury checks following a collision. Both of them are able to proceed, although Krivtsov can only do so after taking off his blood-stained clothes.
37th second: Wow. Lionel Messi is currently being replaced and is walking with a limp as he leaves the field, just minutes after Jordi Alba had to be changed due to an injury. Giving Andre Yedlin the captain’s armband, he then amusingly partially takes off his shin guards and boots while still on the field.
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Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami: Lineups and Team News
After taking a break while representing Argentina and then against Atlanta United over the weekend, it was anticipated that Lionel Messi would return to action for Inter Miami. However, head coach Gerardo Martino isn’t promising to have his superstar back, only stating that Messi and Jordi Alba will train on Tuesday before their status is decided.
On game day, it was later revealed that Messi would start, and he does so as the starting lineup is official.
Diego Gomez, a young midfielder for Paraguay, is out for Inter Miami due to a hamstring injury acquired while representing his country. Other than those four players, Ian Fray, Gregor, Corentin Jean, and Jean Mota are the only long-term absences for Inter Miami.
Starting lineup for Inter Miami (3-4-3): Yedlin, Busquets, D. Ruiz, Alba, Caulendar (GK) – Evils, Miller, Krivtsov, Messi, J. Martinez, Faras.
Inter Miami Subs (9): Stefanelli, Campana, Kremaschi, R. Taylor, R. Robinson, Dos Santos (GK), and Seler.
In an effort to discover the strongest player lineup to help Toronto FC move up the Eastern Conference standings, interim manager Terry Danfield has altered his starting lineup. A plus has been the addition of 20-year-old Deandre Kerr as an advanced winger, who is backed up on each wing by Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi, two Italian players.
Sean Johnson, the goalkeeper, will not play because of a broken hand. Adama Diomande and Christian Gutierrez will also not play because of hamstring problems.
Michael Bradley has played center-back for the last three games after getting into physical altercations with Aime Mabika, Shen O’Neil, and Sigard Rosted, respectively. This development will surprise American fans of the U.S. national team.
Starting lineup for Toronto FC (4-3-3): T. Romero (GK); Franklin; Rosted; Bradley; Petretta; V. Vazquez; Coelho; Osorio; Bernardeschi; Kerr; Insigne.
Gavran (GK), O’Neil, Mabika, Antonoglou, Blessing, Marshall-Rutty, Ibarra, and C. Sapong are the nine substitutes for Toronto FC.