Inter Miami CF vs. Toronto FC Pick & Prediction MAR 18th 2023
Stadium: BMO Field Toronto
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Toronto (0-1-2, 2 points) has been ahead in all three of its matches this year but has failed to win each one of them, earning the mark of being the first team in MLS history to drop points from winning positions in its opening three games.
Toronto's most recent outing was a 1-1 draw at home with Columbus on March 11 in which Deandre Kerr scored in the 24th minute for the Reds. Columbus got the equalizer in the 75th minute and neither team could find the game-winner over the final 15 minutes.
"I don't think we did a good enough job of getting control of the game, getting up the field," Toronto coach Bob Bradley said. "The moments when we did get up the field and balls turned over we weren't able to either stop transition or run hard enough with enough guys back to deal with certain situations."
The Reds have not won a league match since Aug. 28, a span of nine matches (0-6-3).
Toronto has not been able to field a handful of its best players this season because of injuries, and winger Lorenzo Insigne (groin), forward Adama Diomande (hamstring) and defender Shane O'Neill (headaches) have been ruled out for Saturday's match.
Federico Bernardeschi leads the team in scoring with two of Toronto's four goals.
Inter Miami (2-1-0, 6 points) head north after a 1-0 loss at New York City FC on March 11. Miami has allowed just one goal over its first three matches -- and that was an own goal in the setback to NYCFC -- after winning its first two matches 2-0.
It's the best start to a season in Inter Miami's four-year history.
Miami will be without one of its top players, as well, after team captain Gregore broke his foot in last week's loss and will be out up to six months after surgery.
"We're going to miss Gregore -- he's the heart and soul if our team -- and the team's going to be different without him," Miami coach Phil Neville said. "We're going to need everybody to contribute.
Miami has won its past five matches against Toronto and is 5-1-0 all-time against the Reds.
--Field Level Media
Inter Miami CF vs. Toronto FC Recap MAR 18TH 2023
Jonathan Osorio and Mark-Anthony Kaye scored second-half goals to carry Toronto FC to a 2-0 victory over visiting Inter Miami CF on Saturday in an Eastern Conference match played in frigid conditions north of the border.
Sean Johnson made three saves for Toronto.
Toronto (1-1-2, 5 points) won for the first time this season after being ahead in all four of its matches. Johnson's shutout was his first of the season and the 91st of his 14-year MLS career.
Johnson did not have to face a shot in the second half.
The Reds stuck for a goal by Osorio in the 48th minute off an assist from Richie Laryea. Osorio's right-footed shot from very close range beat Miami keeper Drake Callender to the bottom left corner.
Kaye added to the lead in the 69th minute with a header from the left side of the six-yard box past Callender to the bottom-right corner of the net. The goal was assisted by Federico Bernardeschi with a cross following a set-piece.
Toronto was the aggressor throughout the first half and had the best scoring chance. Bernardeschi's right-footed shot from the right side of the box in the 42nd minute was saved in the center of the goal by Callender.
Callender produced four saves over the initial 45 minutes, with Johnson making three stops.
Toronto ruled the first-half statistics but Miami ended up gaining the advantage in the game statistics, out-possessing the Reds 51.7 percent to 48.3 percent and forging an edge on total passes (488-456), crosses (8-7), fouls (14-9) and blocked shots (2-1).
Inter Miami (2-2-0, 6 points) has lost two straight games and allowed its first goals by an opponent this season. Miami had an own goal in its loss at New York City FC on March 11.
--Field Level Media
Sean Johnson made three saves for Toronto.
Toronto (1-1-2, 5 points) won for the first time this season after being ahead in all four of its matches. Johnson's shutout was his first of the season and the 91st of his 14-year MLS career.
Johnson did not have to face a shot in the second half.
The Reds stuck for a goal by Osorio in the 48th minute off an assist from Richie Laryea. Osorio's right-footed shot from very close range beat Miami keeper Drake Callender to the bottom left corner.
Kaye added to the lead in the 69th minute with a header from the left side of the six-yard box past Callender to the bottom-right corner of the net. The goal was assisted by Federico Bernardeschi with a cross following a set-piece.
Toronto was the aggressor throughout the first half and had the best scoring chance. Bernardeschi's right-footed shot from the right side of the box in the 42nd minute was saved in the center of the goal by Callender.
Callender produced four saves over the initial 45 minutes, with Johnson making three stops.
Toronto ruled the first-half statistics but Miami ended up gaining the advantage in the game statistics, out-possessing the Reds 51.7 percent to 48.3 percent and forging an edge on total passes (488-456), crosses (8-7), fouls (14-9) and blocked shots (2-1).
Inter Miami (2-2-0, 6 points) has lost two straight games and allowed its first goals by an opponent this season. Miami had an own goal in its loss at New York City FC on March 11.
--Field Level Media