Rodolfo Pizarro Scores Twice As Inter Miami Begin Their Playoff Hunt

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Rodolfo Pizarro, once again, makes headlines as he carried Inter Miami to a 3-1 home victory against Toronto FC.

Pizarro’s run of good form comes just as Inter Miami looks to make a playoff push. With the Herons only five points out of seventh place, Saturday night’s game was a must-win.

Here’s how they did it.

Game Recap

Inter Miami came out of the gates with a point to prove.

Lining up in their 3-4-2-1 formation, Miami started the match on the front foot. Just seven minutes in, Robbie Robinson had a great chance to open the scoring. Lewis Morgan, playing at right wing-back, sent in a gorgeous cross which Robinson couldn’t quite put on target.

As the game continued, the Herons didn’t let up their tempo and continued to pressure Toronto’s backline. Finally, in the 14th minute, Kieran Gibbs makes an excellent interception to find Gonzalo Higuain who then slots it to Pizarro where he, skillfully, scores:

Pizarro making em dance for our first goal of the night! 🕺⚽#InterMiamiCF | #MIAvTOR pic.twitter.com/IkxB6TnDhv

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 22, 2021

Inter Miami has the tendency to score most of their goals in the second half.

Having Pizarro get on the score sheet early was a huge boost. They used his goal to push forward to find a second.

In the 34th minute, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez plays a gorgeous outside of the boot pass to Robinson. The 22-year-old then takes on his defender, fakes them out, and slams the ball home with his left foot:

The pass, the dribble, the finish. 😮

Just lovely fútbol from #InterMiamicf and Robbie Robinson! pic.twitter.com/X7pqJ42wKq

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 22, 2021

As the second half began, Miami stepped up the pressure as they looked to seal the game with a third goal.

Just after the referee blew the whistle to start the next 45 minutes, Gonzalez-Pirez caught Toronto’s backline sleeping, played a long ball over the top to Pizarro who then chipped the keeper to put the Herons up by three:

Another trick from The Joker !🤡@Rpizarrot scores his second of the night and makes it 3-0 for #InterMiamiCF! pic.twitter.com/DXb9KsrL3O

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 22, 2021

Inter Miami came into Saturday’s match looking to continue their winning momentum. This 3-1 win will give Neville and his men the confidence going into Friday’s derby match against Orlando City.

The Joker Always Has Tricks Up His Sleeve

Rodolfo Pizarro and Inter Miami have had a complicated relationship, to say the least. But the Mexico international has been on fire these last two matches. He came off the bench vs. Chicago to get the game-winner, and against Toronto, he had a magical performance where he scored two goals:

Tonight's @Heineken_US Man of the Match as voted by #LaFamiliaIMCF– @Rpizarrot! #InterMiamiCF | #MIAvTOR pic.twitter.com/YtM3XXaifW

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 22, 2021

As Inter Miami looks to make the playoffs, having an in-form Pizarro will be key. He’s shown that he can be a difference-maker when he’s motivated. If Neville and his coaching staff can keep the 27-year-old consistent, Miami will be a very dangerous team to play against going forward.

Playoff Push?

Lastly, as the season winds down Inter Miami control their fate as to whether or not they make the playoffs. The Herons are only five points off a spot in the playoffs. This is a phenomenal turnaround compared to where the club was a month ago.

Additionally, Miami isn’t only winning, but Neville has implemented a system that gets the most out of all his players:

Robinson on Miami’s attack:

"I think it's the connection we're building with the whole team. It's going to keep getting better, I feel."#InterMiamiCF

— Alex Windley (@aaw_1998) August 22, 2021

It took some time, but it looks like Miami is a team that can do some serious damage if they sneak into the playoffs. Let’s see if they can keep up this run of good form against Orlando this Friday.