Inter Miami CF vs Toronto FC

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 Inter Miami CF vs Toronto FC 

The first meeting between the South Florida side and the Canadian side comes late in the season. This matchup at DRV PNK Stadium arrives with HUGE playoff implications for both sides. Miami has found a decent form as of late meanwhile Toronto with the additions of their two Italian stars have been the hottest team in the league. Alejandro Pozuelo would also face his former team for the first time since leaving for Miami. 

The Toronto FC goalkeeper would make a terrible mistake that would make his own team play. Combination play by Gonzalo Higuain and Deandre Yedlin would find Jean Mota who fired off a shot outside the box finding the hands of the keeper. Bono would let the ball slip past his hands and into the goal giving Miami the 1-0 lead 24 minutes in. 

That wouldn't last long as four minutes later the visitors from the north would find themselves on the scoreboard. Newcomer Federico Bernardeschi would volley a shot that could easily be voted MLS goal of the week and consideration for the season. That volley would equalize for Toronto making it 1-1 in the 28th minute.

All the action would occur in the first half of the match as in the 43rd minute the hosts would regain the lead. A training ground set piece with Mota finding the head of Damion Lowe who clipped it back to the waiting Ariel Lassiter who drilled it home for 2-1. The Herons would enter the dressing room at the half with the lead.

Most of the second half was controlled by Toronto FC who was really turning up the heat and putting the pressure. Neville would park the bus as we call a straight up defensive tactic to hold on to the result. Several opportunities plus two penalty shouts by Toronto would not be enough as they ran out of gas at the end of the match. 

Miami would hold on for the +3 extending their home form as well as jumping into 6th of the Eastern Conference. 

Next up for Inter Miami CF is a road trip to visit the New York Red Bulls.

Written by: Daniel Torres