Inter Miami 4-0 Toronto FC: Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba forced out with injury but Tata Martino’s side secures crucial MLS victory
Lionel Messi returned to the Inter Miami team on Wednesday night, although it was a short-lived return, and his team rallied to a 4-0 victory that could prove costly following his departure.
Messi was substituted in the 37th minute of Inter Miami’s match against Toronto, after spending a few minutes working on what appeared to be a leg problem. Miami prevailed without him, winning 4-0 to move to within five points of the final playoff spot in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.
Robert Taylor, who replaced Messi, scored two goals and an assist. But Messi’s status overshadowed all that.
Messi, 36, had missed two matches – one for club, one for country – in recent days, after missing Argentina’s World Cup qualifying victory against Bolivia on September 12 and Inter Miami’s 5-2 defeat at Atlanta United this month. last Saturday.
Fatigue was cited in both cases, but it now appears that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is suffering from some sort of injury. The match was scoreless when Messi was substituted and he left for the locker room before halftime after spending a few minutes on the bench.
Lionel Messi was frustrated to go out during the first half of Miami’s win with a muscle injury.
Messi now faces a race against time to be fit for the US Open Cup final in Miami next Wednesday.
Messi places captain’s armband on American defender DeAndre Yedlin before being substituted
Messi, 36, had a wonderful opportunity to add to his tally of 11 goals in 12 games before getting injured.
It was the second blow for Inter Miami on Wednesday.
Jordi Alba – another famous mid-season addition – had to leave in the 34th minute, shortly before Messi’s night ended. Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino told the Apple TV show before leaving the field for halftime that the team would evaluate both players over the next few days, but gave no details.
Facundo Farias and second-half substitute Benjamin Cremaschi scored the other goals.
Messi had a few chances on Wednesday and appeared to stop running somewhat abruptly after carrying the ball deep into the Toronto box in the 33rd minute. He was barely engaged afterward, leaning forward at one point as if to stretch the back of his legs, then eventually took off his captain’s armband – actually attempting a long pass while holding the armband – before ‘wait for the game to stop before you can start again. .
He didn’t even wait to leave the field before unlacing his cleats, pulling down his socks and removing his shin guards. He placed the captain’s bracelet on the arm of DeAndre Yedlin – who was captain of Inter Miami before Messi began his stint with the team in July – and now no one knows when Messi will wear it again.
Wednesday’s match was the first of six for Inter Miami in 17 days. The team will next play in Orlando on Sunday, then host Houston in the US Open Cup final on September 27.
Miami’s Argentinian midfielder Facundo Farias opened the scoring for his team in the first half.
Miami winger Robert Taylor scored a stunning brace to cap off a magnificent second half.
This will be followed by three more MLS matches on short notice: against New York City FC on September 30, at Chicago on October 4 and hosting Cincinnati on October 7.
The daunting period will be even more difficult if Messi is not there. Miami entered Wednesday seven points behind DC United for the final playoff spot in the East, with two games in hand. DC United took a point by tying Atlanta on Wednesday, so Inter Miami’s three points for their victory cut the deficit to five.
Despite their place in the standings, Inter Miami now controls their playoff destiny.
Win, and a team that was at the bottom of MLS before Messi arrived will be in the playoffs.
Inter Miami fans celebrate after witnessing the first goal of the evening scored at DRV PNK
Inter Miami will now turn their attention to the US Open Cup final against Houston next Wednesday.
The Atlanta match ended a 12-match unbeaten streak for Inter Miami since Messi made his debut for the team against Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 21.
Inter Miami was 8-0-4 in those 12 matches, with three of those games ending in ties being results the team should celebrate after advancing on penalties – two in the Cup Leagues, including the final against Nashville for Miami. the club’s first ever trophy and another in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup.
Messi has now played 12 matches over two months for Miami, most of them in the League Cup and US Open Cup.
He had 11 goals and eight assists in those appearances, and one goal with two assists in four MLS matches.