Late Higuaín Winner Guides Inter Miami CF to Crucial 0-1 Victory over Toronto FC

September 30, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Inter Miami CF News Release

Inter Miami CF (13W-13L-6D, 45 points) was guided to a monumental 0-1 win over Toronto FC by a late winner from in-form striker Gonzalo Higuaín, who replicated his heroics from the team’s last two matches. The team has now won three consecutive matches and will return home for two final regular season games amidst a tight playoff race. Higuaín has now recorded 12 goals and two assists in his last 14 matches.

Lineup Notes

Inter Miami took to the field with the same starting XI it featured in its last match, a 2-3 win over D.C. United before the international break. Drake Callender started in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Damion Lowe, Aimé Mabika and Chris McVey formed the team’s back four in defense; Jean Mota started at the base of a midfield diamond with captain Gregore and Bryce Duke in front of him, while Alejandro Pozuelo lined up at the point of the diamond; Leonardo Campana and Higuaín led the line in attack.

Inter Miami fielded the same exact starting XI in consecutive games for the second time this season, and the first time since mid-April (April 9 vs. NE, April 16 @ SEA). Pozuelo slotted into the starting XI against his former team for the second time this season, after registering an assist against Toronto in August. Lowe and Yedlin, meanwhile, started after returning from international duty with Jamaica and the United States respectively.

Match Action

Momentum shifted throughout the first half, but it was Inter Miami who opened the match in control. The visitors began the match with sharp passing and movement, dictating the rhythm of the match, but having chances cut out by the Toronto defense in the final third.

Following the opening moments, Toronto began to grow into the match, attacking mostly in transition. Important defensive interventions by Inter Miami’s center backs, though, kept the scoreline level. Notably, in the 14th minute both Lowe and Mabika made consecutive tackles in the box to stifle a promising attack for the hosts.

Callender was then called into action on a few occasions, including a crucial save in the 37th minute; the goalkeeper made a quick adjustment to adapt to the changed direction of a powerful, deflected strike by Federico Bernardeschi.

In attack, Inter Miami had a number of chances itself, including one from a curled ball in by Gregore that found the run of Higuaín behind the defense, but his first-time strike hit the side netting. Shots from…