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Photo Credit: John Jacques
Toronto FC Hosts Supporters Shield Winners Inter Miami, Messi
By The Reds’ final game of the season sees them host 2024 Supporters Shield winners Inter Miami CF. While the visitors had a midweek celebration to enjoy, Toronto FC heads into this Saturday afternoon matchup following a 4-1 loss at home against the New York Red Bulls.
Inter Miami’s midweek win clinched their Supporters Shield title for the first time in club history following a road win against last year’s MLS Cup Champions the Columbus Crew in what came down to a close 3-2 result.
Inter Miami already obtained silverware in the Supporters Shield, yet they also have the chance of adding a new record to their club’s name – that is by breaking the current record of most points earned in the regular season. The current record is 73 points set by the 2021 New England Revolution team. Miami is currently on 68 points with two games remaining: today against Toronto, and then at home against current record holders New England for their final regular season match. It’s certainly a record within touching distance.
Far from breaking records, Toronto FC is still on the hunt for their first MLS Cup playoff berth since 2020. TFC currently sits in ninth place, which is the final wild-card spot on the Eastern Conference table. They are three points behind CF Montreal, with Philadelphia and DC United behind TFC only by virtue of the number of wins, with those teams on 37 points as well.
Toronto is the only club that will not be playing a match on Major League Soccer’s final matchday of the season, dubbed Decision Day, on October 19. This potentially means that the Reds may have to wait two weeks to learn their fate in qualifying or being eliminated for playoffs – of course, this all depends on how all full-time results go for Saturday.
With how things went for Italian DP Federico Bernardeschi on Wednesday evening (he received his marching orders after getting two yellows) he will not be available to play as he serves a one-game suspension. Fellow Italian DP Lorenzo Insigne seems unlikely to play, either.
“I’m not sure,” Herdman told reporters after Wednesday’s 4-1 loss. “He’s got strains in both of his calves, so our medical team will do their best to try and get him on the pitch for some minutes”.
Herdman will also be without Kevin Long, who is out with a concussion, and Kosi Thompson who is out with a knee injury. Listed as questionable are Nicksoen Gomis, Raoul Petretta, and Henry Wingo.
The odds will be very low for Herdman’s side to make it into the playoffs. At similar odds is the actual chance of seeing Messi play at BMO Field. While he’s traveled with the team, Messi played a full game in Ohio on Wednesday, scoring two goals. He is also set to join his Argentine national team for two World Cup qualifying matches. Messi has only played in five games since his ankle injury in the Copa America, so the icon’s availability to play is unclear.
What isn’t unclear is that Toronto desperately needs the three points against Inter Miami, and even that may not be enough – but a win keeps the chances and dream alive for the Reds in qualifying for playoffs since 2020.
“We’re still in the fight, by hook or crook. We’ll be giving everything this weekend to do something to get a result for this fan base, for the club,” said Coach Herdman on Friday ahead of the Inter Miami clash at BMO Field.
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques
