Chase Stadium- After three consecutive road games Inter Miami‘s return to Chase Stadium was memorable and productive. The Herons managed a convincing 3-1 win over Toronto FC with Federico Redondo registering a brace and Diego Gomez blasting a rocket into the Toronto goal for Miami. Drake Callender and Robert Taylor became the first players to make 100 appearances for Inter Miami. The win catapulted the Herons to the top of the Eastern Conference and the Supporter’s Shield race.
Starting XI
Inter Miami made changes to the starting lineup to face Toronto FC at home after their lopsided loss to Cincinnati on the road. Jordi Alba, Tomas Aviles, Sergeii Kryvtsov, and Ian Fray shaped the backline, with Matias Rojas, Yannick Bright, and Federico Redondo forming the midfield. Diego Gomez, Leonardo Campana, and Julian Gressel were the attacking front three.
Lots of movement in the Starting XI with Busquets taking the night off
Rojas taking the CAM role tonight with #Messi out …Fray starts at RB, Redondo & Bright in the midfield pic.twitter.com/YBevvSk0fy— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 17, 2024
Match Action
Miami and Toronto began the match with a blistering pace pressuring high and attacking vertically quickly. Despite the early intensity, it was not until the 43rd that Miami was able to get on the scoreboard. Federico Redondo lobbed a fantastic ball over the Toronto defense perfectly for Diego Gomez who corralled the ball and then blasted it home for the 1-0 lead for the Herons.
Federico Redondo with a scintillating service over the Toronto defense & onto the feet of Diego Gomez who finished with a rocket 🚀 for the 1-0 #InterMiamiCF lead…
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 18, 2024
Toronto nearly tied the match a couple of minutes later when Federico Bernardeschi booted a left-footed missile that Drake Callender saved with an outstanding effort. The Herons went into the half with a 1-0 lead.
Super Drake Callender with the super save for the Herons to keep the match 1-0 in #InterMiamiCF favor
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 18, 2024
Inter Miami began the second half right where it left off doubling its lead in the 53rd minute when Federico Redondo powered a header into to goal off a Julian Gressel set-piece service. It was Redondo’s first goal for Inter Miami and gave the Herons the 2-0 advantage.
Julian Gressel with another dime, this time on a free kick he places a perfect ball for Federico Redondo who nets the powerful header for the 2-0 #InterMiamiCF lead…#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 18, 2024
Redondo’s magical night continued as he scored a tap-in off a Diego Gomez assist in the 59th minute.
The Herons are pouring it on Toronto FC with Redondo getting a brace with the tap-in goal… Nice combination play with Gressel making a perfect cross field pass to Diego Gomez who serves the gimme pass for Redondo 3-0 #InterMiamiCF #MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 18, 2024
Toronto was able to break through in the 80th minute after a nice sequence of passes inside the Miami box that ended with a Derrick Ettiene Jr. shot into the Miami net. The match would end 3-1 with Miami regaining the Eastern Conference top spot after a Cincinnati FC loss.
We keep it going 🫡 @detienne_10 pic.twitter.com/b9Xv0fnun2
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) July 18, 2024
Postgame Press Conference
At Tata Martino’s postgame press conference, I asked him to talk about Noah Allen and his performance against Toronto after coming on for an injured Sergeii Kryvstov. Martino first pointed out how well Allen adapts to any situation when he comes on as a substitute, either early in the match or late in the game. Tata then went on to insinuate that he has become comfortable having Noah readily available if needed off the bench,
Sometimes I’m pretty unfair not finding him a spot on the team, but I’ve become accustomed that whenever he is needed he always responds,”
Noah Allen came in and played a strong game replacing Kryvstov near the end of the first half, maybe now Tata will give him or Ryan Sailor more playing time until another center-back comes in during the current transfer window.
“Sometimes I’m pretty unfair not finding him a spot on the team, but I’ve become accustomed that whenever he is needed he always responds,” Tata Martino on Noah Allen’s performance against Toronto FC after coming on for an injured Kryvtsov#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/nu4ZaJG0et
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 18, 2024
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi’s ankle injury is concerning given the fact that he doesn’t have a timeline for his return. Messi was spotted in a walking boot at the match versus Toronto FC and seemed to be in good spirits and moving around well. Hopefully, he can heal from his injury sooner rather than later.
Inter Miami’s young midfielders are ballers! Diego Gomez, Yannick Bright, Federico Redondo, Benjamin Cremaschi, and David Ruiz to name a few are very talented. Gomez, Redondo, and Cremaschi have interest from teams in Europe and it seems their days with the Herons are numbered. They have been key in keeping the team’s momentum in the absence of any of Miami’s Fantastic Four, and if they are still here will be key to Miami’s run for an MLS Cup title.
It has been incredible to see Inter Miami continue its torrid pace even without Messi and other key veteran players. I think everyone wants to see all the Barca Boys together again on the pitch for Miami, but it has been awesome to see the young studs come into their own.
Congratulations to Drake Callender and Robert Taylor for being the first players in Inter Miami history to reach 100 appearances. They both embody the true spirit and culture of Inter Miami, and that’s why they are fan favorites.
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