Toronto FC (11W-19L-4T, 37 points) lost by a 0-1 scoreline to the 2024 Suppoters’ Shield winners Inter Miami CF (21W-4L-8T, 71 points) at BMO Field on Saturday evening
First Half:
Toronto FC Head Coach John Herdman made five changes from his starting eleven against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday with Sigurd Rosted, Nicksoen Gomis, Alonso Coello, Matty Longstaff and Kobe Franklin coming into the side for Kevin Long, Raoul Petretta, Federico Bernardeschi, Deybi Flores and Tyrese Spicer.
Attacking the south end to begin the afternoon contest, the Reds nearly got off to a perfect start with Kobe Franklin coming within inches of scoring from close-range inside the opening minute at BMO Field.
The hosts enjoyed spells of possession and managed to outshoot the Herons by nine to one through the opening 45 minutes. The two sides, however, entered the half-time interval goalless after Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made saves to deny Matty Longstaff, Deandre Kerr, Sigurd Rosted and Richie Laryea the opening goal on the lake shore.
Second Half:
Fifteen minutes into the restart, Inter Miami CF introduced Designated Players Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi off the bench with the scores level at zero. The eight-time Ballon D’Or winner and Argentinian forward nearly made an instant impact eight minutes after entering the field of play, with his left-footed shot from the centre of the box blocked by defender Sigurd Rosted.
Another pair of substitutes joining the on-field proceedings raised the volume further at BMO Field, as Luis Suárez entered the contest in the 71st minute for the Herons before Italian winger and Designated Player Lorenzo Insigne entered nine minutes later.
With the highly-anticipated regular season finale moments away from remaining a goalless draw at the full-time whistle, Luis Suárez’s cross from the left wing was controlled and volleyed home by Leo Campana in the 93rd minute giving the Supporters’ Shield a late 1-0 road victory and all three points from BMO Field.
LINEUPS
TORONTO FC – Sean Johnson; Shane O’Neill (Henry Wingo 62’, Tyrese Spicer 72’), Sigurd Rosted, Nicksoen Gomis (Raoul Petretta 62’); Alonso Coello, Matty Longstaff (Brandon Servania 80’); Richie Laryea, Jonathan Osorio (C), Derrick Etienne Jr. Lorenzo Insigne (80’), Kobe Franklin; Deandre Kerr (Prince Owusu 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: Luka Gavran, Aimé Mabika, Deybi Flores
INTER MIAMI CF – Oscar Ustari; Noah Allen, Tomás Avilés, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Franco Negri; Julian Gressel (Diego Gómez 80’), David Ruiz (Sergio Busquets 61’), Benjamin Cremaschi (Luis Suárez 71’); Matías Rojas (Yannick Bright 71’), Robert Taylor (Lionel Messi 61’), Leonardo Campana (C)
Substitutes Not Used: Drake Callender, Ryan Sailor, Jordi Alba, Lawson Sunderland
MEDIA NOTES
- Raoul Petretta made his 50thMajor League Soccer appearance for Toronto FC.
POSTMATCH SOUND
