This Match recap is presented by Powerful Foods
Inter Miami CF fell 2-1 to 2019 MLS Cup finalists Toronto FC in a hard-fought match on the road at Rentschler Field.
"We've had chances to win each of the last two matches. Above all else, in today's match which was a difficult one, the team really played well. We had the chance to win the match, or at least earn a draw because we deserved it after the match,” said manager Diego Alonso. “The errors have put us in this position. We have to face them and keep pushing because we have hope, we have life. We have to do our work well next Sunday and try to qualify."
The match saw the return of A.J. DeLaGarza, Christian Makoun and Alvas Powell to the starting XI. It marked the fourth start of the season for DeLaGarza, and the second start and third appearance for both Makoun and Powell. It also marked Powell’s first appearance since the July 20 match against NYCFC in the MLS is Back Tournament. The trio replaced the injured Nicolás Figal and the suspended Leandro González Pirez and Andrés Reyes.
The matchup at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. began with sturdy defensive play from both sides. Inter Miami’s backline stood firm, repeatedly snuffing out Toronto attacks before they could create any danger.
Inter Miami probed the Toronto defense for much of the half, with a number of line-splitting passes coming from Powell and Higuaín. The team eventually found its breakthrough goal in the 42nd minute, when Blaise Matuidi scored his first MLS goal. Morgan won possession in his own half, drove towards the endline and sent a pass in that was blocked and knocked back out to him. He then faked a cross to beat defenders and took a touch back towards the endline before delivering a ball across the face of goal. His pass was knocked away by the Toronto goalkeeper before finding Matuidi on the left side of the box. The French World Cup winner ran up to the loose ball and struck a precise left-footed shot around the defense and inside the near post to make it 0-1 for Inter Miami heading into halftime.
Toronto netted an equalizing goal in the early stages of the second half, finding their first goal of the match in the 55th minute; Patrick Mullins whipped a cross into Ayo Akinola in the box, who controlled it off his chest and struck into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Higuaín nearly found a goal of his own in the 79th minute; Morgan whipped a long switch to Higuaín on the left side of the box, who controlled the ball beautifully, dribbled towards the middle of the field and struck a powerful curling shot from the top of the box that hit the bar.
In the 82nd minute, the referee blew his whistle and awarded a penalty to Toronto. Alejandro Pozuelo stepped up and scored from the spot, giving Toronto a 2-1 win.
Victor Ulloa achieved a career milestone coming on in the 85th minute amidst a number of substitutions, making his 200th MLS appearance including postseason play.
Despite the result, Inter Miami will enter Decision Day in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Club will face FC Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Inter Miami CF Stadium in front of a limited number of Season Ticket Members
