Leonardo Campana scored the winner in stoppage time to maintain Inter Miami on the right track to beat the regular-season factors document in MLS as they defeated Toronto 1-0.
With Miami having secured the Supporters’ Protect by beating the Columbus Crew in midweek, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez had been benched for Saturday’s journey north of the border.
However the duo got here on to assist Gerardo Martino’s staff to a victory that moved them as much as 71 factors with one sport remaining.
The factors document of 73 was set by the New England Revolution in 2021, and it’s the Revs who go to Miami within the ultimate regular-season sport later in October.
Toronto acquired off to the higher begin as Kobe Franklin latched onto the tip of Jonathan Osario’s cross to shoot from a good angle however noticed his effort saved.
Regardless of additional possibilities for Richie Laryea and Prince Osei Owusu, Toronto struggled to discover a breakthrough, and substitute Suarez proved decisive as he delivered a first-time cross into the centre of the field, which Campana managed and duly fired residence a 93rd-minute winner.
The defeat dealt Toronto a blow to their ambitions of acquiring a playoff spot this season, opening the door for the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United and Nashville SC behind them within the Japanese Convention.
Se juntaron los goleadores Increíble volea de Campana para darnos la ventaja pic.twitter.com/avXxs2pbWH
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 5, 2024
Knowledge Debrief: Miami’s stopping energy
For Miami, the deal with including an MLS document to their first Supporters’ Protect triumph has seemingly helped hold them going this time period. They’ve scored 15 targets within the final quarter-hour of the second half this season; solely the Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers have scored extra such targets within the league in 2024.
Alternatively, Toronto have conceded 23 targets within the final quarter-hour of the second half – no staff has conceded extra in MLS this time period.
Toronto have taken only one level from the final 15 on provide, and their stoop has come on the worst doable time.