December 23, 2024
Miami is on its way to MLS record points after winning in Toronto

Miami is on its way to MLS record points after winning in Toronto

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were on the bench during Inter Miami's 1-0 win at Toronto FC in MLS on Saturday. (Vaughn Ridley)

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were on the bench during Inter Miami’s 1-0 win at Toronto FC in MLS on Saturday. (Vaughn Ridley)

Inter Miami stayed on course for the points record in Major League Soccer history after Leonardo Campana’s stoppage-time goal gave them a 1-0 win in Toronto.

Miami started with all of its big stars, including Lionel Messi, on the bench, but the Argentine was substituted in the 61st minute to the delight of many Toronto spectators.

The Florida team had already secured the Supporters’ Shield for the top team of the regular season with their midweek win over Columbus Crew.

With the top seed and home-field advantage secured for the playoffs, Miami’s only goal is to improve on the single-season record of 73 points set by the New England Revolution in 2021.

The win gives Miami 71 points heading into its final game of the season – at home against New England on October 19th.

An uneventful game on a less than perfect pitch was decided in stoppage time when Luis Suarez, also a substitute, pumped a cross into the penalty area and Ecuador international Campana took the ball on his thigh before firing a volley into the goal from the turn lap.

It was only Miami’s second shot on goal of the game, and it sorely dashed Toronto’s slim hopes of reaching the postseason.

John Herdman’s team is currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and would therefore secure a spot in the wild card round of the playoffs.

But the loss was Toronto’s final game of the season and with rivals Philadelphia and DC United tied with them at 37 points with two games remaining, the Canadian team’s season is over.

Philadelphia travels to defending MLS champion Columbus later Saturday, while DC travels to New England.

heavy/rcw

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