MLS

MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host Toronto FC on Wednesday

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Inter Miami CF (9W-5D-15L, 32 points) will return to the pitch at DRV PNK Stadium following a four-game road trip as it takes on Toronto FC (6W-7D-16L, 25 points) on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The match-up is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Where to Watch

The match will be broadcast regionally on  My33, CW34, UniMás and the Inter Miami App. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.

DRVPNK Night Presented by AutoNation

Inter Miami CF will also be hosting DRVPNK Night presented by AutoNation to help drive out cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game and the first 12,000 fans will get a free pink rally towel. In addition, fans will be able to purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win full-team signed merchandise to raise additional funds for breast cancer research. Furthermore, for every PINK item purchased at the team stores throughout the stadium, 10% of all proceeds will be donated back to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Fans can also come out to the Fan Zone presented by Baptist Health and participate in their Ribbons of Love activity, write letters to patients battling cancer via the DRVPNK Across America letter campaign and more activities. Baptist Health will also be bringing their Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Truck to the Fan Zone, featuring a dynamic 3D display, showcasing numerous facts to educate fans on Breast Cancer screenings, care and prevention. Lastly, four-Time INDY500 Champion and AutoNation’s DRVPNK Team-NTT INDYCAR SERIES® Driver Helio Castroneves will be present at DRV PNK Stadium during special on-field presentations.

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Back Home vs. Toronto

Inter Miami CF will return home to DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday to take on Toronto FC in the final matchup between the two clubs of the 2021 regular season

The Inter Miami squad is coming off of a four-game road trip and will face Toronto FC in what will be the third fixture between the sides this campaign, with Inter Miami beating Toronto 3-1 at DRV PNK in August and subsequently earning an 0-1 away win at BMO Field in September.

Familiar Faces

The upcoming mid-week match-up could feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for Inter Miami and Toronto FC players. Christian Makoun may face former teammate Erickson Gallardo, who he played alongside 21 times during his time with Zamora F.C. Makoun could also meet up with former teammate midfielder Yeferson Soteldo, with whom he shared the pitch with Venezuela’s U-20 national team twice.

Inter Miami defender/midfielder Brek Shea was teammates with several Toronto FC players while representing the United States. Shea racked up 34 caps with the national team and played six matches alongside defender Omar González. These matches included four friendlies, a World Cup Qualifier match against Mexico in 2013, and the 2013 Gold Cup Final against Panama. Shea also played 15 matches with Toronto FC captain Bradley on the international stage. Lastly, Shea might run into forward Altidore once again after the two players featured in 19 games together for the USMNT.

Goalkeeper John McCarthy may also encounter some familiar rivals on Wednesday. McCarthy opposed left-back Kemar Lawrence and the New York Red Bulls in the round of 16 of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup during his stint at Philadelphia Union. McCarthy also faced right back Richie Laryea in 2017 while playing for Philadelphia’s USL side Bethlehem Steel and Laryea played for Orlando City B.

Inter Miami captain Gregore might clash against Venezuelan left winger Soteldo once again. Soteldo and Gregore rivaled each other in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in Brazil between 2019 and 2020 before playing in the MLS. They opposed each other on two occasions in Brazil’s top tier when Soteldo represented Santos FC and Gregore played for the EC Bahia side.

Additionally, defender Kelvin Leerdam could once again face Laryea after they both featured in a match in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers in 2021 between Leerdam’s Suriname and Laryea’s Canada. Midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro, meanwhile, could face familiar rivals Eriq Zavaleta, Lawrence, Mark Delgado, Altidore, González and Laryea. Pizarro and Zavaleta faced each other in 2018 in the CONCACAF Champions League when Pizarro played for C.D. Guadalajara and Zavaleta for Toronto. Pizarro has previously met Lawrence four times in international action with Mexico’s national team and in the CONCACAF Champions League during his stint with Guadalajara. The midfielder could clash against Delgado again after they played against each other in two matches in the CONCACAF Champions League. Pizarro could face Altidore once again, the two previously played against each other in two matches in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2018 and one fixture in the 2019 Gold Cup. Toronto FC defender González and Pizarro could share the pitch once again with Pizarro. The two played in 27 matches together for CF Pachuca between 2016 and 2017. Pizarro and González also have played against each other three times, two matches in the MLS and one match in Liga MX. Pizarro could also face defender Laryea, who he played against in July 2021 in a CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal.

Lastly, midfielder Blaise Matuidi and Lawrence could face each other again following an international friendly between Jamaica and France in 2014, in which Matuidi and France topped Lawrence’s Jamaica 8-0. Matuidi could once again meet former teammate Quentin Westberg after they featured together for ESTAC Troyes in France in two league matches in 2006. Matuidi could also face formal rival Chris Mavinga, who he’s faced a total of six times, four times in Ligue 1 and two times in the MLS.

Toronto FC's Record in 2021

Toronto FC is coming off of a 0-2 loss to Atlanta United FC at home, with the side winning five out of its last six games. Toronto has recorded six wins, seven draws and 16 losses in the 2021 regular season, with midfielder Soteldo, who has netted three goals and dished out 10 assists, leading the team this campaign.