After their first defeat of the season against Los Angeles FC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Inter Miami, under Javier Mascherano, has an opportunity to recover this Sunday as they host Toronto FC. Balancing their Champions Cup commitments with the desire to win this game will be key for The Herons. However, given their demonstrated squad depth this season, achieving both goals seems feasible.
Tadeo Allende might be unavailable for this match due to injury recovery. Nonetheless, with Fafa Picault and Robert Taylor offering attacking options from the flanks, Mascherano has ample choices in attack. Miami`s loss to LAFC also ended Lionel Messi`s streak of scoring or assisting in every game he has played this season. Despite this, their previous victories without Messi suggest this setback is likely a minor issue rather than a significant downturn. Only a win against Toronto will definitively confirm this.
Match Details
- Date: Sunday, April 6
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- 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 Miami securing a tight 1-0 victory in Toronto in May 2024. Both teams have changed considerably since then, including having new coaches this season. Leonardo Campana, Miami`s lone goal scorer in that previous game, now plays for the New England Revolution. Miami will need to find a new source for late-game heroics if needed in this upcoming match.
Coach Perspectives
Following the loss to LAFC, questions arose about Messi`s positioning, as he adopted a deeper role to receive the ball. This game marked the first setback for Miami under the Argentine coach, and their response will indicate their resilience for the remainder of the season.
Mascherano stated, “I`m not concerned. He`s a player with unparalleled game understanding. He`s one of the few players globally who always adapts to what the game demands. If he plays deeper, it`s because he`s finding spaces to receive the ball and influence the game.”
Considering Miami`s season performance so far, there`s no strong reason to anticipate the LAFC defeat leading to further losses. However, the pressure on Mascherano is significant. With a team aiming to break MLS points records, every loss raises concerns about meeting expectations. This is the backdrop Mascherano faces despite Miami`s generally strong form this season.
Lineup Considerations
The extent of squad rotation is a key question. Miami`s upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup match on Wednesday is clearly a priority. However, Mascherano must balance resting players with maintaining match sharpness. Athletes thrive on rhythm, so excessive rest could lead to rustiness before the Champions Cup game. As Mascherano gains more experience with his squad, he will refine his rotation strategy, especially in defense, where consistency is beneficial for player coordination.
Projected Starting 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 Messi-like impact 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 historically among MLS`s best. To achieve this, he needs to perform in significant games 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 Rebound? This game is not a must-win for the Herons, but they will want to avoid consecutive losses before their return to Champions Cup play. The home game against LAFC will be crucial, making it important to regain momentum against an MLS team like Toronto that is still finding its footing. A win, even without Messi carrying the team, would be a significant positive for the Herons, as long as Mascherano sees a strong team response.
Match Prediction
With their improved defense this season, Miami is expected to comfortably defeat Toronto at home. The game is likely to be lower-scoring than anticipated due to Toronto`s improved defense, although their attack is not yet strong enough to seriously challenge Miami. Robin Fraser`s Toronto team is progressing, but facing a top Eastern Conference team is a difficult challenge, especially for a team that was at the bottom of the conference last season. Prediction: Inter Miami 1, Toronto FC 0
