Inter Miami Defeats Toronto FC in Dramatic Showdown
Inter Miami, featuring iconic players such as Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suarez, faced off against Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday. The match drew a remarkable crowd of 44,828, making it the largest attendance in Canadian club history. Inter Miami triumphed with a 4-2 victory, with two of their three designated players making significant contributions on the scoreboard.
During this game, Messi achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fastest player in Major League Soccer history to record 100 goals in just 64 regular-season matches. This notable achievement surpassed the previous record held by Toronto legend Sebastian Giovinco, who set the standard at 95 games—curiously, a record that was highlighted during the Legends friendly at BMO Field the day before.
Although Miami claimed victory, the match proved to be more competitive than the scoreline suggests. The 4-2 outcome masks Toronto’s five-year playoff drought, which should serve as a cautionary tale for the Herons.
Back in 2017, three years prior to Inter Miami’s inaugural match, Toronto FC was at the zenith of its success in MLS. Under former general manager Tim Bezbatchenko, the team invested heavily in designated players, signing Giovinco, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore to contracts totaling $18.44 million annually. At that time, Giovinco was the league’s second-highest-paid player, earning $7,115,555.67. Toronto’s total payroll of $22.478 million made it the highest-spending team in the league, outpacing the second-place team by over $4 million.
This financial commitment paid off remarkably well. The star trio combined for an impressive 31 goals and 18 assists, while the supporting cast contributed defensively by allowing the fewest points in the Eastern Conference. This powerhouse team ultimately secured both the MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield, setting a league record for points in a single season.
Toronto FC Faces Challenges Amid Fan Expectations
Unfortunately, those days of glory now seem like a distant memory. As age took its toll, the stellar performances of Giovinco, Bradley, and Altidore dwindled. In an attempt to restore the team’s standing, Toronto’s ownership sought to invest in high-profile designated players, recruiting the Italian duo Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. Insigne became the second-highest-paid player in MLS with a salary of $15.4 million, while Bernardeschi ranked fifth at $6.295 million.
Despite these investments, Toronto’s fortunes did not improve. The team finished the 2023 season at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, accumulating only 22 points from 34 games and possessing a troubling minus-33 goal differential. They conceded the highest number of goals in the conference, totaling 59. The issue was not merely the amount spent, but rather the strategy behind these expenditures. The approach of relying on two marquee signings to carry the burden of a struggling squad proved ineffective.
Since Giovinco’s departure in 2019, Toronto has undergone six coaching changes, consistently averaging an 11th-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Insigne and Bernardeschi managed to combine for just 45 goals over their most productive three seasons before each player opted to terminate their contract.
Currently, the club’s situation remains precarious. After investing a reported $22 million transfer fee for U.S. men’s national team striker Josh Sargent—a figure that could rise to $27 million based on performance incentives—Toronto ended the season in eighth place in the East and was eliminated early from the Canadian Championship.
Inter Miami: Building a Robust Future Beyond Superstars
The once-dominant Toronto FC has experienced a steady decline over the past six years, while Inter Miami has emerged as the league’s model franchise. Following a strategic plan that involved significant financial investment, Miami has built a powerhouse roster in 2023 with notable signings including Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, followed by Suarez and De Paul in subsequent years.
Since Messi’s arrival, Miami has consistently led the league in spending, and it’s evident that this investment has been fruitful. Inter Miami captured the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, establishing a new single-season points record, and secured the MLS Cup a year later. However, as with any sporting endeavor, age twists the narrative, and player retirements loom ever closer.
With Busquets and Alba having retired after last season, Miami’s roster dynamics are starting to shift. While they added forward Germain Bertelame to a designated player contract and welcomed the 2025 MLS Goaltender of the Year, Dane St. Clair, the cracks in their unbalanced lineup are starting to show. In their latest victory, Inter Miami displayed vulnerabilities in both midfield and defense, allowing Toronto to outpace them in critical statistics, such as expected goals and chances created in the match’s first half.
Despite their successful attack—led by stars like Messi, De Paul, and Suarez—Inter Miami continues to face issues on the defensive side, conceding too many chances in key moments. Striking a balance between high-profile signings and a cohesive team structure will be essential as the club navigates the challenges of a future without its megastar. Co-owner Jorge Mas recognizes the need for a sustainable approach to build a competitive team that excels even after Messi’s playing days come to an end.
As Inter Miami looks to the future, they should heed the lessons learned from Toronto FC’s struggles. The club has the opportunity to build a well-rounded squad and forge a path to lasting success, particularly now that Messi has committed to the team through the 2028 season, providing Mas with valuable time to strategize for the years ahead.
