Toronto FC 0-1 Inter Miami: Campana´s stoppage-time strike keeps visitors on track for MLS record

Leonardo Campana scored the winner in stoppage time to keep Inter Miami on course to beat the regular-season points record in MLS as they defeated Toronto 1-0.

With Miami having secured the Supporters’ Shield by beating the Columbus Crew in midweek, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were benched for Saturday’s trip north of the border.

But the duo came on to help Gerardo Martino’s team to a victory that moved them up to 71 points with one game remaining.

The points record of 73 was set by the New England Revolution in 2021, and it is the Revs who visit Miami in the final regular-season game later in October.

Toronto got off to the better start as Kobe Franklin latched onto the end of Jonathan Osario’s cross to shoot from a tight angle but saw his effort saved.

Despite further chances for Richie Laryea and Prince Osei Owusu, Toronto struggled to find a breakthrough, and substitute Suarez proved decisive as he delivered a first-time cross into the centre of the box, which Campana controlled and duly fired home a 93rd-minute winner.

The defeat dealt Toronto a blow to their ambitions of obtaining a playoff spot this season, opening the door for the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United and Nashville SC behind them in the Eastern Conference.

Se juntaron los goleadores Increíble volea de Campana para darnos la ventaja pic.twitter.com/avXxs2pbWH

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 5, 2024

Data Debrief: Miami’s stopping power

For Miami, the focus on adding an MLS record to their first Supporters’ Shield triumph has seemingly helped keep them going this term. They have scored 15 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half this season; only the Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers have scored more such goals in the league in 2024.

On the other hand, Toronto have conceded 23 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half – no team has conceded more in MLS this term.

Toronto have taken just one point from the last 15 on offer, and their slump has come at the worst possible time.