Inter Miami CF earned a 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium. Heineken Man of the Match Jean Mota and winger Ariel Lassiter scored the team’s goals tonight for Inter Miami to extend its unbeaten run in MLS play to five and continue its strong form at home, having lost only once in its last 12 outings in South Florida.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami took the field on Saturday night with a starting XI featuring two changes from its thrilling 3-2 victory over New York City FC a week ago. Drake Callender started in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Damion Lowe, Ryan Sailor and Chris McVey formed the team’s backline; captain Gregore, Mota and Alejandro Pozuelo lined up in midfield; Robert Taylor and Lassiter flanked striker Gonzalo Higuaín in attack.
Lassiter and Sailor were the two changes, returning to the starting XI in place of Kieran Gibbs and Bryce Duke. Additionally, midfielder Pozuelo faced his former side after playing for Toronto FC for three and a half seasons from 2019 up to this summer when he joined the club.
Match Action
The first half saw the sides trading blows, starting with the hosts striking first, opening the scoring in the 24th minute. Following a throw-in, Yedlin and Higuaín played a one-two on the right wing, and the Argentine skipped past a defender before laying a pass off for Mota, who struck a powerful shot on target, off the hands of the Toronto goalkeeper and into the back of the net to take the 1-0 lead. The goal was Mota’s second in MLS this season and third across all competitions, while the assist was Higuaín’s third of the year and Yedlin’s secondary assist also took his assist tally up to three on the season.
Toronto equalized just four minutes later when a Federico Bernardeschi cross took a big deflection, and Lorenzo Insigne slid and volleyed the ball outside the box, slotting it inside the far post for the equalizer.
Just before halftime, however, Inter Miami reclaimed its lead with a perfectly worked free kick routine; Mota played it short to Pozuelo, who clipped a ball to Lowe at the far post, and the Jamaican international defender headed it back across to Lassiter in front of the goal where the Costa Rican controlled it and calmly finished to make it 2-1. The goal marked Lassiter’s second in as many matches and third this season in MLS, while the assist was Lowe’s first, and the secondary assist brought Pozuelo’s Inter Miami tally up to four and his MLS season tally up to nine.
After the break, both teams delivered energetic performances, with plenty of threatening opportunities in attack for both sides. Inter Miami defended stoutly to keep the danger away. Notably, Callender and Lowe registered several crucial defensive interventions to deny Toronto’s offensive efforts.
Inter Miami held onto its 2-1 throughout the remainder of a thrilling second half to clinch three valuable points at home and climb up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings as the team carries on with its playoff push.
Heineken Man of the Match
Mota was voted Heineken Man of the Match by fans following his long-range strike and controlling midfield performance.
Post-Match Reaction
"It was a big win...This team never quits, this team has got an incredible, incredible spirit," said head coach Phil Neville. "I do feel that something special is happening. And when you have moments like this, you shouldn’t take it for granted."
Next Match
Inter Miami will take to the road for its next match, traveling North to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. ET.
Individual match tickets for each remaining regular season home match on the Inter Miami CF schedule are available by visiting https://www.intermiamicf.com/tickets/single. Fans can also call 305-428-0611 to learn more.
Stats
Possession:
MIA - 41%
TOR - 59%
Shots:
MIA - 8
TOR - 16
Saves:
MIA - 3
TOR - 2
Corners:
MIA - 2
TOR - 6
Fouls:
MIA - 15
TOR - 8
