What to Expect as Inter Miami Host Toronto FC in Midweek Clash

A Little Chaos Follows Inter Miami

One big question for the Herons entering this midweek clash is whether Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi will start, play off the bench or even play at all.

Inter Miami manager Tata Martino didn’t shed much light on the situation in when he said he would not jeopardize Messi in the match.

"If he is well and confident, he can get to play and if this doesn’t happen, he will wait a few more days."

- Tata Martino, Inter Miami manager

Messi sat out Argentina’s World Cup qualifier at Bolivia during the international break and was not available for Inter Miami’s 5-2 loss at Atlanta United over the weekend.

That loss ended a 12-match unbeaten streak for the Herons that included a 2023 Leagues Cup title and a spot in the U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.

It also dropped Inter Miami out of the Top Five MLS Power Rankings — Inter Miami fell to No. 6.

Over the 11 games Messi has played in, Inter Miami has outscored opponents 31-13 with Messi tallying 11 goals and eight assists for the effort.

Play, play limited or not play at all, a win Wednesday could come down to how the rest of the squad performs.

Leonardo Campana has made a name for himself in Messi’s absence with a brace in the loss to Atlanta and being named to the MLS Team of the Week.

But this time around, Inter Miami will have more of the gang back with Robert Taylor, Josef Martinez and Benjamin Cremaschi all back from the international break.

Inter Miami’s defense was a sore spot in Atlanta and will have to regain its form Wednesday if the Herons hope to pull out points against Toronto.