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Photo Credit: John Jacques
Toronto FC Crashes In Season Closer Against Inter Miami
By Toronto FC closed out its final regular season match against Supporters Shield Winners Inter Miami FC tonight at BMO Field.
Despite suffering a tough midweek loss, the Reds came into today’s game hot: as soon as the match was underway, a great pass from Captain Jonathan Osorio to Kobe Franklin would almost give his side a very early lead, but in the end Franklin’s shot would be saved.
The first half featured action from both sides knocking on each other’s opposite ends, but a couple of missed chances and a couple of saves from both TFC keeper Sean Johnson and Inter Miami keeper Oscar Ustari – who was making his debut for Miami – kept the game scoreless to end the first 45 minutes of play. Toronto had seven shots, while the visitors only had one.
All the action would continue in the second half as Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino brought both Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets into the game at the 61 minute mark, with the stadium erupting into loud cheers as the iconic Argentine stepped onto the pitch at BMO Field. The duo’s impact was quick, as Miami soon quickly began to pick up pace in comparison to its first 45 minutes of play.
Toronto would also make its fair of changes as Henry Wingo, Raoul Petretta, Brandon Servania, and Lorenzo Insigne would come into the game in the second half soon after Miami made one more change, bringing on veteran striker Luis Suarez.
Both sides would continue to press with possession close but in slight dominance by Inter Miami. The half-time substitute Prince Owusu would almost find his name on the scoresheet a handful of times as he would put immense pressure in Miami’s penalty box area, but nothing would find the back of the net to break the deadlock.
Instead, the sole goal of the night would come from the visitors in added time. In the 93rd minute of play, a lovely cross from Luis Suarez found Leo Campana in the box. He’d give the visiting side the game-winning goal, sealing three points and a handing a devastating blow to Toronto FC’s playoffs hopes.
Inter Miami is now at 71 points, just two away from equaling the record set by New England Revolution 2021 for most points earned in the regular season (73). With one game remaining for Miami (ironically up against the Revs), the record could be broken on October 19 when Miami hosts New England for their final match of the regular season.
The second home loss for the Reds in a disappointing final stretch leaves them finishing the season on 37 points with eleven wins, four draws, and 19 losses. It concludes the season on a sour note, with TFC winding up winless in its last six through all competitions.
“I thought our lads did everything but score, that was the critical piece…same old story,” said Toronto FC head coach John Herdman post-game.
Toronto may have outshot Inter Miami 15-4, but they couldn’t find the back of the net to help them push through the Supporter Shield Winners and give them the best chance possible of qualifying for playoffs for the first time since 2020.
“It’s very difficult, you always wanna make the playoffs,” said Derrick Etienne Jr. after the ninety minutes. “We have to look at this, reflect, and if God blesses us we make playoffs. If not, everyone has a hard look in the mirror and we fix the things we could’ve this year because we had the group to get into playoffs.”
Toronto FC are now on the brink of elimination as they desperately needed the win to keep the hopes of reaching postseason firmly alive. Instead, their final place in league standings will now depend on the remaining full-time results of the other clubs, and the odds do not look in their favour.
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques
