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Inter Miami's Playoff Hopes Live On As They Thrash Toronto FC
+ an injury update

Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
LAST MATCH: Miami 4 - Toronto 0
NEXT MATCH: vs. Orlando City, Sunday, September 24th, 7:30 PM EST
WHERE TO WATCH: Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Good Morning! Inter Miami won last night and their hopes of making the playoffs live on! Unfortunately, although the Herons earned three points, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were forced off the pitch just 37 minutes in.
After the game, further reports suspected that Messi was dealing with a lingering hamstring injury. As for Alba, he suffered a right hamstring strain.
Will they be fit in time for the US Open Cup Final?
Updated standings:

In the email today:
🤕 Messi Alba Injured, But Miami Return To Winning Ways
📈 Player Grades From Yesterday’s Win
🚀 Robert Taylor Only Scores Bangers
📊 Poll: Will Messi and Alba be fit in time for the US Open Cup Final?
🔗 Link Roundup
1) 🤕 Messi and Alba Injured, But Miami Returns To Winning Ways
+3️⃣ against Toronto
#MIAvTOR
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF)
1:44 AM • Sep 21, 2023
Inter Miami shrugged off their 5-2 loss to Atlanta United on Saturday with a 4-0 thumping over Toronto FC.
Toronto looked largely uninspired and tepid, as the Herons took advantage of their disorganization to slot four past their subpar defense. Goals from Facundo Farias, Robert Taylor, and Benjamin Cremaschi sealed all three points for the men in pink.
The most significant talking point from the match will be the early injury substitutions of Messi and Alba in the 35th and 37th minutes. With the US Open Cup Final six days away, there is a concern that the duo won’t be fit enough to start.
Speaking to the media after the match, manager Tata Martino gave an update on Messi’s condition:
Tata on Messi:
"He had an old injury that bothered him. We don't think it's a muscle injury. But it's something we'll keep an eye on."
Said they'll look to him in the next few days.
#InterMiamiCF
— Alex Windley (@aaw_1998)
2:12 AM • Sep 21, 2023
It’s evident, that while Messi and Alba appeared okay, perhaps the Inter Miami coaching staff should’ve proceeded with caution and rested both players considering how poorly Toronto played.
With the win, Miami is just five points back from ninth place and six points back from eighth.
Martino also stated that the pair won’t be playing in Orlando.
Our take: Miami showed they can play at a high standard and grind out a win, even when their best players aren’t on the pitch.
2) 📈 Player Ratings From Yesterday’s Win
🧤 Drake Callender - 7: Didn’t have too much to do last night, but stepped up when called.
💨 Jordi Alba - 7: Like Messi, only played 35 minutes but had some great attacking moments.
🏋️ Kamal Miller - 7.5: Not the best game from the Canadian international, but he paired well with his center-back partners, and had a couple of big tackles early on.
🦌 Tomas Aviles - 8: Played well when he was on the field. A tad bit aggressive, but that’s just his playing style. Unfortunately, had to come off due to injury.
💪 Serhiy Kryvtsov - 7.5: An absolute warrior. Got bloodied but still carried on.
🇺🇸 DeAndre Yedlin - 7.5: Solid game from the veteran.
🧮 Sergio Busquets - 8.5: Went unnoticed, but his passing and defensive positioning were massive.
🌟 Facundo Farias - 9: An unbelievably gifted player who carried Miami’s attack when Messi was off with injury.
🇭🇳 David Ruiz - 8: Ran his legs off, and had a complete game in the middle of the park.
🐐 Lionel Messi - 8: Only played 37 minutes, but had some great moments in the final third.
😡 Josef Martinez - 6: Went largely missing in the first half and missed a couple of big chances.
Subs:
🚀 Robert Taylor - 9: Came on and made an instant impact. His two goals were just what Miami needed to get the win.
🧔♂️ Leo Campana - 7: Still looks to be in good form. Had a couple of good runs in behind and chances to score, but couldn’t quite hit the back of the net. Definitely made the case to be the starter going forward.
👶 Benjamin Cremaschi - 8: Alongside Allen and Ruiz, a talented prospect who showed why he’s so highly rated.
🇪🇨 Dixon Arroyo - 7: Kept the tempo well when subbed on.
3) 🚀 Robert Taylor Only Scores Bangers
ROBERT. TAYLOR. BANGERS. ONLY. 😤
Farías with the chip to Taylor who puts it in the back of the net for his second of the night!
#MIAvTOR | 4-0
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF)
1:37 AM • Sep 21, 2023
4) 📊 Poll: Messi, Alba, US Open Cup?
Poll: Will Messi and Alba Be Fit For The US Open Cup Final?Choose one: |
Have additional thoughts? Reply directly to this email to comment, and see if we include your response tomorrow!
Results from our last poll: Will Miami Beat Toronto? Yes won with 85% percent of the vote.

5) 🔗 Link Roundup
🏆 Orlando City, Columbus Crew, St. Louis City, and the Philadelphia Union all clinched their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs last night.
🏥 Diego Gomez, Jean Mota, and Gregore should return to training soon.
❓Inter Miami hired a new PA announcer and it….didn’t go to plan.
The newsletter today was written by: Alex Windley @aaw_1998
Thanks for reading! Catch you on the flip side!