Jordi Alba Leads Inter Miami In Thrilling Win Over Toronto FC

Inter Miami Toronto

Photo - Inter Miami CF


Fort Lauderdale, FloridaInter Miami CF and Toronto FC played a wildly entertaining Leagues Cup 2024 Round of 32 match Thursday night at Chase Stadium. The Herons and the Reds combined for seven goals on the night, with Miami getting the better of Toronto 4-3. Jordi Alba was the Heron’s hero assisting on all four of Miami’s goals.

Starting XI

Drake Callender started in goal for Miami, with Jordi Alba, Tomas Aviles, David Martinez, and Marcelo Weigandt making up the backline. Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets, and Federico Redondo were the midfield trio. Matias Rojas, Luis Suarez, and Diego Gomez formed the attacking frontline.

Game Action

The home crowd was barely in their seats when Matias Rojas bombed a left-footed shot into the Toronto net 3-minutes into the match. Rojas settled a Jordi Alba cross and finished with his customary powerful strike.

The blazing start continued for the Herons when Sergio Busquets launched a precise long-distance pass to Jordi Alba who controlled the ball and served a right-footed dime to a charging Diego Gomez. Gomez culminated the sequence with a low-crossing shot, increasing Miami’s lead to 2-0.

It seemed as if Inter Miami was going to run away with the match but a silly penalty committed by Marcelo Weigandt gave Toronto life. Lorenzo Insigne executed the kick and cut Miami’s lead to 2-1 in the 15th minute.

“El Pistolero”, Luis Suarez, increased Miami’s lead to 3-1 in the 2oth minute when he chipped a Jordi Alba cross past the charging Toronto goalkeeper.

Unfortunately, David Martinez was shown a red card in the 28th minute after he brought down Owusu on a breakaway. Just a few minutes later Jordi Alba was called for a penalty on Owusu that led to another Insigne penalty strike to end the wild first-half with the Herons on top 3-2.

The fireworks continued in the second half when Jordi Alba dished out another assist to Matias Rojas. The Paraguayan scorched the ball to give Miami the 4-2 lead to provide breathing room.

The final goal of the wild and crazy match was an “own goal” by Noah Allen. Owusu headed a cross that went off Allen’s back providing the final scoreline.

Postgame

Tata Martino decided to start the match with Yannick Bright on the bench. Bright has been one of the best defensive midfielders in the league and it was evident early on that his presence was sorely missed. Miami’s defensive posture was different without the young star on the pitch. I asked Toto Aviles about Bright and how his presence helps Miami’s center-backs,

“Yannick wins lots of challenges in the midfield & helps us a lot”

Bright, provides Miami with a Gregore-like aggressiveness in the midfield with more quality and better decision-making. The former Heron was a fan favorite for his passion and ruggedness; Bright is quickly becoming a fan favorite for that and more.

Final Thoughts

Thursday night was thrilling for the fans but it can’t be the norm for Miami. To win the Leagues Cup 2024 the Herons will have to be much better defensively. David Martinez will not be available next match so it likely means Busquets will play center-back and Bright will return to the midfield.

Ian Fray is one of the better defenders on the squad, I hope Tata finds a way to give him some minutes in the tournament. Fray is a natural center-back, I don’t understand why he has not played the position for Miami when it is a glaring need.

Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez must continue to lead the Herons in Lionel Messi’s absence. The trio still has enough quality to be the difference makers every team needs.

Jordi Alba showed why he is one of the greatest left-backs in history on Thursday night serving up four assists and playing an all-around fantastic match. Hopefully, the ankle injury he suffered against Toronto doesn’t hinder him for the next match.

Miami’s road to a repeat Leagues Cup title is a rough one if they are to win it all again they’ll have to be much better than they were against Toronto.

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