Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba departed with injuries during what might have been a costly 4-0 win for Inter Miami over Toronto FC on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Robert Taylor recorded a brace and Facundo Farias and Benjamin Cremaschi also had goals as the Herons (9-15-4, 31 points) moved closer to the Eastern Conference playoff line. However, the bigger-picture focus was on the health of Miami’s star players.
Alba was substituted off in the 35th minute, and Messi left the field two minutes later. Neither player had sustained an obvious injury, but both were in discomfort with apparent lower-body ailments.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said the players came out with muscle fatigue — something that kept both players out of the team’s match against Atlanta United last Saturday. He added that neither player would play Sunday against Orlando City, as the club will evaluate them day by day.
The club was trying to manage the two players’ health and minutes through the Herons’ busy schedule, which includes the U.S. Open Cup final on Sept. 27. Martino said he was unsure if they would play in that contest at Fort Lauderdale.
Miami is 8-0-4 in all competitions with Messi in the lineup, including a 3-0-1 mark in regular-season matches.
Toronto FC (4-15-10, 22 points) lost Victor Vazquez and Brandon Servania to injuries in the first 26 minutes.
All the early stoppages led to nine minutes of extra time in the first half, and Farias struck three minutes into the extended period for his third goal of the season.
Taylor entered the match as Messi’s substitute, then dominated the second half for one of the best performances of his two MLS seasons.
In the 54th minute, Taylor displayed excellent ball control in finding space to shoot from the edge of the box. A chip-pass from Farias set up Taylor’s next goal in the 87th minute, with Taylor converting a shot from a tough angle.
Sandwiched between his two goals, Taylor also earned an assist crossing to Cremaschi in the 73rd minute. It was the second tally of the season for the 18-year-old Cremaschi.
Miami’s Drake Callender made two saves for his fifth shutout of the season. Callender got some help from his goalposts, as Toronto FC’s Lorenzo Insigne and Deandre Kerr each hit the iron.
Toronto is the only MLS team with a winless road record (0-10-4) this season.
–Field Level Media
