Inter Miami & Toronto FC Draw 1-1 At Chase Stadium

Inter Miami CF played to a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC Sunday night at Chase Stadium. Federico Bernadeschi gave Toronto the lead in the first half stoppage time. Lionel Messi scored the tying goal just three minutes later for Miami. Surprisingly, the Herons played all the Barca legends the majority of the game, despite an important CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals match on Wednesday night versus LAFC.

The Herons draw 1-1 with Toronto FC in a match where all the #InterMiamiCF stars played … Toronto could have won the match if they had better luck… The Herons controlled possession but also lacked efficiency tonight…#MLS #Messi https://t.co/RZIphFWnuk

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 7, 2025

Starting XI

Despite a pending CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals match midweek versus LAFC, Javier Mascherano gave all four of the former Barca legends the start against Toronto FC. Their expected rest did not occur, but other players did get rotated in including Drake Callender in goal. Ian Fray, Tomás Avilés, Gonzalo Luján, and Jordi Alba were the defensive backline. Sergio Busquets, Federico Redondo, and Telasco Segovia were the midfield trio. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Robert Taylor commanded the attacking frontline.

Lionel #Messi & The Fantastics all in the Starting XI for #InterMiamiCF …Drake Callender gets the start in goal… Not a heavy rotation for the Herons…#MLS
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— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 6, 2025

Match Action

The Herons began with a high press against Toronto, forcing the Canadians into some mistakes, which created scoring chances for Miami. Fantastic saves by Sean Johnson prevented Miami from going up on the scoreboard. Toronto had clear chances of their own, but Drake Callender made some superb saves as well.

Federico Bernadeschi gave Toronto the lead two minutes into the first half stoppage time with some sleek footwork inside the Miami box.

Bernadeschi with some magic inside the box for Toronto controls & with some fancy footwork gives the Canadians the 1-0 lead in stoppage time …#MLS

pic.twitter.com/EPILqoEiKC

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 7, 2025

Lionel Messi scored the tying goal three minutes later with a wicked left-footed volley after controlling a Telasco Segovia pass.

The GOAT 🐐 #Messi controls a pass inside the box & with a wicked volley ties the game up 1-1… He makes it look easy & it’s not… #MLS #InterMiamiCF

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— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 7, 2025

The second half was an exciting back-and-forth where both squads had ample chances to go ahead on the scoreboard, but neither squad was able to score. The game would end in a 1-1 draw; Miami took a risk playing its stars and could not manage to earn the three points at home.

Postgame

After the match, I was able to ask Drake Callender a couple of questions regarding his first start of the season.

I asked Drake Callender how he felt after his first start of the season for #InterMiamiCF ….#MLS pic.twitter.com/9OG2NUWymb

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 7, 2025

Callender had a good match, and he felt confident and strong in the first full ninety minutes of the season. His performance notifies Mascherano that he is fully fit and ready to compete.

I followed up asking Drake whether his extended time off the squad was solely due to his injury or if there was a mental or emotional aspect to it.

Drake Callender explains the reasons for his extended time away from the team when dealing with his adductor injury…#MLS #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/gVIMUQTN4N

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) April 7, 2025

Callender is now fully fit physically and mentally. He should be available for every game the rest of this season in all competitions, and this gives Mascherano flexibility at the goalkeeper spot.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect Messi, Alba, and Suarez to play extended minutes against a Toronto FC team that was near the bottom of the table in the Western Conference. Mascherano took a gamble with the veteran players, knowing there is an important match Wednesday night against LAFC for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Herons didn’t earn the three points, and hopefully their veteran stars have a full tank for the match.

Telasco Segovia had a good match versus Toronto FC, providing nice box-to-box play for Miami. Segovia needs to have another high-quality game on Wednesday versus LAFC. Telasco will be key in linking up with Messi to break FC’s low-block defensive structure.

Sergio Busquets will be unavailable due to yellow card accumulation for the game against LAFC. Federico Redondo and Yannick Bright will have to provide, as a tandem, the clarity to get the ball out cleanly from the back and the defensive acuity of Busquets. It’s a big task for the young Herons, but if they are to be great players themselves, now is the time to step up.

Will Drake Callender or Oscar Ustari start in goal Wednesday night for Inter Miami? Mascherano has two quality keepers available, and it will be a tough choice. Ustari should get the start based on his play thus far this season, but if his minor calf injury is bothering him, the coach should’t hesitate to start Callender.

Tadeo Allende has been sorely missed by Miami. Allende’s pace and motor help open up the pitch for Luis Suarez, who has struggled some the last two games. Suarez is a legend, and with Messi and Segovia, he should have enough help to make a difference in the game by doing what he does best, score goals.