Inter Miami claimed a resounding 3-1 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday, extending its home winning streak to four and home unbeaten streak to five. The team’s attack once again stepped up to lead the team, with Heineken Man of the Match Rodolfo Pizarro playing a starring role, while Leandro González Pirez’s dominant form controlled all phases for Inter Miami.
LGP’s Passing Range Unlocks Defense
González Pirez, who registered a secondary assist against Chicago last week, tallied two primary assists against Toronto on Saturday, earning him a spot on the MLS Team of the Week. The center back’s passing range has become an increasingly influential tool for Inter Miami over recent weeks, culminating in a standout performance on Saturday.
LGP’s first assist of the night came when he won the ball in his own half and struck a precise through ball with the outside of his foot to a streaking Robbie Robinson down the left wing.
His second assist helped put the game out of reach, as he delivered a long ball from just outside of his own box, hitting it over the top to the run of Pizarro behind the defense, who then chipped the keeper for the third goal of the night.
LGP achieved the impressive feat of successfully completing all 10 of his long passes (passes travelling over 30 yards) in the match. He was also typically strong in defense, winning possession six times, the second-most of any Inter Miami player.
Attack Keeps Rolling
On Saturday night, the Inter Miami attack continued its upward trajectory. The team scored three goals for the second match in a row, and just the third team all season. The team outshot Toronto 13 to six, and created quality chances, with eight of those shots coming from inside the box. The team also compiled an xG (expected goals) total of 2.1, the most by Inter Miami since its mid-May 2-3 victory over Cincinnati, and its third highest total of 2021.
Pizarro Builds Momentum
Rodolfo Pizarro built on a strong run of matches with perhaps his best performance of the season, netting a brace with two standout finishes. His performance was strong enough to earn him MLS Player of the Week honors and was closely followed by an invitation to join the MLS All-Star team, making him the Club’s first-ever All-Star.
The Mexican was a constant threat throughout the night, taking a game-high four shots, all of which were on target, and amassing a game-high 1.08 xG. He also tied for the lead in the match with two carries into the box.
