TORONTO - Looking to climb the standings in the hope of retaining its Supporters' Shield, Inter Miami fielded all its big guns in Toronto — despite the fact that it was its third game in a week with a date with Chicago to come Tuesday.
Toronto countered with goalkeeper Sean Johnson and a bend-but-don't-break defence. The end result was a 1-1 draw Saturday, Toronto's seventh straight tie.
"I think we deserved to win," said Miami coach Javier Mascherano. "We had the most clear chances during the game."
"Their goalkeeper was the man of the match," he added.
Both teams managed nine shots with Miami holding a 6-2 edge in shots on target.Â
Lionel Messi, coming as advertised, served as playmaker on Miami's goal and could have had a bushel of his own, had it not been for Johnson.
"Sean was unbelievable. … He was spectacular in the moments that he needed to be," said Toronto coach Robin Fraser.
Argentine winger Tadeo Allende scored in first-half stoppage time for Miami, which had pumped in 10 goals in its three previous wins. But Djordje Mihailovic pulled Toronto even in the 60th minute with his first goal for his new club.
After Miami failed to clear its penalty box, Richie Laryea somehow got to a Jonathan Osorio pass before it went out and sent the ball back across the goal for an unmarked Mihailovic to tap in for his 10th of the season.
After being named man of the match, Mihailovic tried to pass the trophy to Johnson. The 36-year-old goalkeeper, not much for personal accolades, demurred but appreciated the gesture.
"I appreciate him sharing that but it's not something that I'll ever put my hand up and ask for," said Johnson.
Laryea was also a standout, playing all over the pitch.
The visitors went ahead in first-half stoppage time, with Messi finding Jordi Alba through traffic. Alba's perfect cross, just over the head of defender Kosi Thompson, was headed home by Allende.
It was goal No. 9 for Allende and assists No. 11 and No. 14 for Alba and Messi, respectively, on the season.
Miami (16-6-8) started all its big guns with Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, who are making a combined US$36.7 million this season according to the MLS Players Association.
Toronto (5-13-13) was coming off six consecutive draws — at Philadelphia, Atlanta, New England and Columbus and home to Columbus and Montreal. It had conceded just five goals during that run.
Depending on how you look at it, TFC is unbeaten in seven games (0-0-7) or winless in nine (0-2-7).
TFC has not lost since July 26, a 2-0 setback at Charlotte FC. But it hasn't won since July 16, a 1-0 decision at San Diego FC.
Toronto came into the game nine places and 28 points below third-place Miami in the East.
Saturday's game drew an announced crowd of 28,855 for the first sellout of the season for TFC, which went into the game ranked 14th in the league with an average attendance of 20,875.
Messi's star power was in display in the stands on a pleasant 23 C afternoon at BMO Field.
The were plenty of pink Miami No. 10 shirts, as well as blue-and-white Argentina and blue-and-garnet FC Barcelona jerseys. The visitors were greeted by cheers when they came out for the pre-game warm-up.
Messi waved to the crowd in-between drills, drawing more applause. Once the game started, it took a little more than five minutes for the first "Messi, Messi" chant.
Johnson made a tremendous save to deny Messi's right-footed shot in the 29th minute off a feed from Busquets. And he denied the Miami star again in the 44th after an errant clearance by Sigurd Rosted. There were two more stellar saves in the second half, including a Messi free kick from the edge of the penalty box.
Every Messi touch drew a response from the crowd. Hardly moving when away from the ball, the 38-year-old Argentine can hit high gear quickly when in possession and he boasts the vision and ability to deliver a precision pass.
Messi had scored five goals and added three assists in Miami's three previous wins. Miami moved into third place in the Eastern Conference and clinched a playoff spot with its 4-0 mid-week win at New York City FC.
He went into weekend play leading the Golden Boot race with 24 goals, ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (22 goals) and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge (21).
Miami arrived north of the border five points below league-leading Philadelphia with two games in hand.
Saturday's game was the penultimate home outing for TFC, which visits Chicago and Los Angeles FC before closing out the season against Orlando City on Oct. 18.
Toronto came into the game with a 2-8-1 regular-season record against Miami, with its last home victory over the Herons in March 2023. The teams drew 1-1 in Florida on April 6.
This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published Sept. 27, 2025.
