Fresh off clinching an MLS Cup playoff berth with a 4-0 win Wednesday over New York City, Inter Miami CF will look to extend their win streak to four matches when they visit Toronto FC on Saturday night.
Miami (16-6-7, 55 points) sits third in the Eastern Conference standings with five matches remaining — and five points back of Philadelphia in the race for the Supporters’ Shield.
Lionel Messi scored twice while Luis Suarez and Baltasar Rodriguez also scored for Miami, which has points in five of its last six MLS matches (4-1-1). With 24 goals, Messi is two ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga in the race for the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer this season.
“We’re happy because now we’re officially qualified for the playoffs,” said head coach Javier Mascherano. “That was very important for us. Now we have to keep moving forward. We know we have two games in hand, so now we’ll try to rest, recover and get ready for Toronto.”
Saturday is the second and final meeting of the season between Miami and Toronto. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw April 6 in Florida.
Though eliminated from the playoffs, the Reds (5-13-12, 27 points) enter Saturday’s contest with points in six straight matches (0-0-6). Toronto has not lost since a 2-0 decision at Charlotte FC on July 26.
Richie Laryea scored in the 51st minute last Saturday as Toronto took a single point in a 1-1 draw against Columbus.
For head coach Robin Fraser, the missing piece to turn the draws into victories is simple.
“Finishing our chances,” he said. “I think what is encouraging is that we are creating more chances.
“We see ourselves creating a few more chances every game, and the chances are getting better. I really feel like it’s a growth process and we’re watching the team really mature week after week.”
–Field Level Media
