After their first defeat of the season against Los Angeles FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Inter Miami, led by Javier Mascherano, has an opportunity to recover on Sunday as they host Toronto FC at home. The Herons need to carefully manage player rotation due to Champions Cup commitments while also aiming to secure victory in this match. However, given the team`s demonstrated depth this season, achieving both goals appears feasible.
Tadeo Allende`s availability for the game is uncertain as he recovers from an injury. Nevertheless, with Fafa Picault and Robert Taylor offering attacking options from the wings, Mascherano has ample choices. Miami`s loss to LAFC also ended Lionel Messi`s streak of scoring or assisting in every game he`s played this season. Despite this, their ability to win matches even without Messi suggests this is a minor setback rather than a trend. Only a victory against Toronto will confirm this.
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, April 6
- Location: Chase Stadium — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Live stream: MLS Season Pass
- Odds: Inter Miami -230; Draw +360; Toronto FC +600
Previous Encounter
Almost a year has passed since Miami and Toronto last played, with the Herons securing a narrow 1-0 victory in Toronto in May 2024. Both teams have changed significantly since then, including new coaches this season. Miami`s lone goal scorer from that match, Leonardo Campana, is now with the New England Revolution, meaning they will need to find a new source for late-game heroics.
Coach Perspectives
Following the loss to LAFC, questions arose about Messi`s positioning as he adopted a deeper role to receive the ball. This is the first challenge Miami has faced under the Argentine coach, and their response will indicate their overall season management capabilities.
Mascherano stated, “I`m not concerned. He`s a player who understands the game like no one else. He`s probably one of the few players in the world who always does what the game demands. If he`s playing deeper, it`s because he`s finding space to receive the ball and make an impact.”
Given Miami`s season performance so far, there`s no reason to believe the LAFC loss will lead to further setbacks. However, the pressure on Mascherano is significant. With a team that previously set an MLS single-season points record, every loss raises concerns about meeting expectations. This is the pressure he faces despite Miami`s strong overall form.
Lineup Considerations
The extent of player rotation is a key question. Miami`s upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup match on Wednesday is clearly a priority, but they must also balance freshness with rhythm. Athletes thrive on rhythm, so even complete rest could lead to rustiness before the Champions Cup game. As Mascherano gains more familiarity with his squad, he`ll refine his rotation strategy. However, in certain areas, particularly defense, consistency is crucial for player understanding and anticipation.
Projected Lineups
Inter Miami: Oscar Ustari, Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Maximiliano Falcon, Ian Fray, Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo, Telasco Segovia, Robert Taylor, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi
Toronto FC: Sean Johnson, Raoul Petretta, Nicksoen Gomis, Sigurd Rosted, Tyrese Spicer, Alonso Coello, Jonathan Osorio, Derrick Etienne, Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi, Ola Brynhildsen
Player Spotlight
Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC: Insigne was expected to have a similar impact to Messi in Major League Soccer and almost left the club in the offseason. Under new management and with more attacking support, he has the potential to revitalize Toronto, a team that was once among MLS`s strongest. To achieve this, he needs to perform in important matches like this one against Inter Miami. As one of the league`s highest-paid players, expectations are high for Insigne, and he needs to meet them soon.
Key Match Storyline
Can Miami Recover? This game isn`t a must-win for the Herons, but they will want to avoid consecutive losses before their Champions Cup return leg. The home game against LAFC will be crucial, making it important to regain momentum against an MLS team still finding its footing. A win without Messi carrying the team would be ideal, but Mascherano primarily seeks a positive team response.
Match Prediction
With their improved defense, Miami should comfortably defeat Toronto at home. Expect a lower-scoring game than anticipated due to Toronto`s improved defense, although their attack isn`t yet strong enough to trouble Miami significantly. Robin Fraser`s Toronto team is improving, but facing a top Eastern Conference team is a difficult challenge, especially for a team that finished at the bottom of the conference last season. Prediction: Inter Miami 1, Toronto FC 0
