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 rebound this Sunday as they host Toronto FC. The Herons face the challenge of balancing squad rotation for Champions Cup games with the desire to secure a win in this match. However, given their demonstrated squad depth throughout the season, achieving both objectives seems feasible.
Tadeo Allende`s availability for the game is uncertain due to a recovering injury. Nevertheless, with Fafa Picault and Robert Taylor offering offensive threats from the flanks, Mascherano has ample attacking options. Inter 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 successes without Messi suggest this is likely a minor setback rather than a downward trend. Only a victory against Toronto FC will confirm this assessment.
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
Nearly a year has passed since the last meeting between Miami and Toronto, where Miami secured 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 match, now plays for the New England Revolution, meaning they will need to find another source for late-game heroics if needed.
Coach Perspectives
Following the loss to LAFC, questions arose regarding 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 overall season management capabilities.
Mascherano stated, “I`m not concerned. He`s a player with unparalleled game understanding. He`s among the few players globally who consistently adapts to the game`s 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 thus far, there`s little reason to expect the LAFC defeat to trigger a series of losses. However, the pressure on Mascherano remains significant. With a team that previously set an MLS single-season points record, every loss raises concerns about meeting expectations. This is the challenge he faces despite Miami`s strong overall form.
Lineup Considerations
The extent of squad rotation is a key question. Miami`s upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup match on Wednesday is clearly a priority, yet they must also maintain player freshness. Athletes thrive on rhythm, so even complete rest for some players might lead to rustiness before the Champions Cup game. As Mascherano gains more familiarity with his squad, he will refine his rotation strategy. However, in certain areas, particularly defense, consistency is crucial for players to develop mutual understanding and anticipation.
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: Expected to have a Messi-like impact in MLS, Insigne almost left the club in the off-season. Under new management and with more attacking support, he has the potential to revitalize Toronto, a team formerly among MLS`s elite. To achieve this, he must perform in significant 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 consistently meet them.
Key Match Story
Can Miami Recover Momentum? 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 winning form against a Toronto FC team finding its footing. A win, even without Messi dominating, would be ideal. Ultimately, Mascherano seeks a positive team response.
Match Prediction
With their improved defense this season, Miami is expected to comfortably defeat Toronto at home. The game might be lower-scoring than anticipated due to Toronto`s defensive improvements, though 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 task, especially for a team that was at the bottom of the conference last season. Prediction: Inter Miami 1, Toronto FC 0
