Inter Miami CF (9W-15-4D, 31 points) earned a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night. Facundo Farías continued his strong form with a strike to open the scoring, while substitutes Robert Taylor, who earned Heineken Star of the Match honors, and Benjamin Cremaschi carried the momentum with goals of their own to secure the home win.
Lineup Notes
Drake Callender started in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Tomás Avilés, Sergii Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller and Jordi Alba started in defense; Sergio Busquets, David Ruiz and Farías lined up in midfield; captain Lionel Messi and Josef Marteinez started in attack.
Match Action
Proceedings started with an early chance for Martínez after the team won the ball in a dangerous area with a high press.
The teams traded chances and substitutions in the ensuing minutes through the first half, but the first strike came from the hosts just before halftime; substitute Noah Allen whipped a cross into the box that was punched away by the Toronto goalkeeper, but Farías was quickest to react, connecting with a spectacular volley to take the 1-0 lead. The goal was Farías’ third in six MLS matches.
Inter Miami was able to add to its lead early in the second half through a spectacular finish from substitute Taylor. Allen played a simple ball to Taylor by the corner of the box, and the Finnish winger cut in, beat several defenders surging to his right, and blasted a low shot back across his body. The shot found the inside of the far post and beat the Toronto goalkeeper to extend the lead to 2-0. The goal was Taylor’s third in MLS and seventh across all competitions this season, while the assist was Allen’s second.
A third goal came in the 73rd minute for the hosts, featuring two more substitutes; Leonardo Campana and Benjamin Cremaschi connected near midfield to begin the attack, and Cremaschi drove forward and played a ball for Taylor down the right wing before continuing his run into the box. The young Homegrown midfielder received the return pass from Taylor in the box and struck from a tight angle to make it 3-0. The goal was Cremaschi’s second in MLS this season and third overall, while the assist was Taylor’s sixth in League play and 12th across all competitions in 2023.
Taylor was then able to secure his brace in the 87th minute; the versatile attacker received a scooped pass from Farías inside the right side of the box before smashing the ball into the back of the net with a powerful right-footed strike into the roof of the netting, putting Inter Miami up 4-0 on the scoreboard.
The scoreline then stood for the remaining minutes, allowing Inter Miami to earn all three points in the 4-0 win. The team is now unbeaten in its past nine matches at DRV PNK Stadium across all competitions.
Post-Match Reaction
"After a loss, what you want is to recover as quickly as possible. Fortunately, we recovered with today’s game," said head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.
Heineken Star of the Match
Substitute Taylor earned Heineken Star of the Match honors following his stellar showing on the pitch at DRV PNK Stadium, coming into the match in the 37th minute and registering a brace and an assist to help Inter Miami claim all three points.
Fan of the Match presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Next Match
Next Inter Miami will hit the road to face in-state rivals Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Stats:
Possession:
MIA - 60.5%
TOR - 39.5%
Shots:
MIA - 13
TOR - 8
Saves:
MIA - 2
TOR - 1
Corners:
MIA - 3
TOR - 4
Fouls:
MIA - 17
TOR - 6
