MLS Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami CF to Host Toronto FC on Saturday 

Published on August 20, 2021 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Inter Miami CF (5W-4D-9L, 19 points) will play its second home match this week when it hosts Toronto FC (3W-6D-11L, 15 points) on Saturday, Aug. 21. The matchup at DRV PNK Stadium is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET.

Where to Watch

The match will be broadcast live regionally on CW34, the Unimás App and the Inter Miami App. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club's App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.

Fans will then be able to re-watch the match on Sunday Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. ET on My33.

Round Two vs. Toronto FC

Saturday's fixture against Toronto FC will be the first matchup between both sides this season and second overall in Club history, in which Inter Miami CF will seek to secure its first win over the Canadian team.

Last Matchup - Nov. 1, 2020: Toronto FC 2-1 Inter Miami CF 

Winning Run at Home

Inter Miami CF will carry on with MLS regular season action by hosting Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium after a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, Aug. 18 in its last fixture. Indiana Vassilev, Robbie Robinson, who earned Heineken Man of the Match honors due to his performance, and Rodolfo Pizarro scored the team's goals to clinch the win against Chicago. Pizarro's stoppage time winner was his first goal of the 2021 season, while Vassilev has now tallied two goals and Robinson three. Additionally, Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín recorded two assists against Chicago and currently leads the team in goals and assists, with eight and four thus far this campaign respectively.

The team will be aiming to clinch its fourth consecutive win at home after defeating CF Montréal 2-1 on July 31, Nashville SC 2-1 on Aug. 8 and the Chicago Fire 3-2 on Aug. 18 in its last home matches.

Team of the Week Honors for Gonzalo HIguaín

Gonzalo Higuaín was named as a starter in the MLS Team of the Week presented by Audi Week for Week 20 of the 2021 season. The forward earned the distinction after assisting two goals in the 3-2 win over Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, Aug. 18. It was the third occasion in which the Argentine player was named to Team of the Week this campaign.

Familiar Faces

The match may feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for a host of Inter Miami and Toronto FC players. Inter Miami defender Ryan Shawcross may face former English Premier League rivals in Toronto's Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Pozuelo. During his tenure at Stoke City, Shawcross clashed against Altidore four times while he played for Hull City and Sunderland A.F.C. between 2009 and 2014 and once against Pozuelo when he was a Swansea A.F.C. player in 2013. Inter Miami left-back Kieran Gibbs also played against Altidore in England during his Arsenal F.C. days, facing him once in a Premier League game in 2013.

Inter Miami's Mexican midfielder Pizarro may face several familiar rivals and a former teammate: Toronto's Altidore, Mark Delgado, Omar González, Richie Laryea, Kemar Lawrence and Eriq Zavaleta. On the international stage, Pizarro recently defeated Laryea and Canada 2-1 with Mexico in the semifinals of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, clinched the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup title by topping Altidore and the United States 1-0 in the final of the competition and faced Lawrence and Jamaica twice in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup. At club level, during his stint at C.D. Guadalajara Pizarro overcame Altidore, Delgado, Zavaleta and Toronto in the final of the 2018 edition of the Concacaf Champions League, defeated Lawrence and the New York Red Bulls in the semifinals of the 2018 Concacaf Champions League and faced González and Atlas F.C once in Liga MX action with C.F. Monterrey in 2014, On the other hand, Pizarro was teammates with González at C.F. Pachuca from 2016 to 2017, sharing the pitch a total 27 times.

Additionally, Inter Miami midfielder Blaise Matuidi previously faced off against Toronto's Chris Mavinga. Matuidi played against Mavinga and Stade Rennais F.C. in three Ligue 1 fixtures between 2012 and 2013 with his former side Paris Saint Germain (PSG), The Club's French midfielder was also teammates with Quentin Westberg at ESTAC Troyes, playing alongside each other in two Ligue 1 matches in the 2006-07 campaign.

Inter Miami defenders Kelvin Leerdam and Christian Makoun, meanwhile, may face a previous rival or former teammate on the international stage. Leerdam and Suriname played against Laryea's Canada in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier on June 8, 2021, while Makoun and Yeferson Soteldo were teammates on Venezuela's U-20 national team that finished as runners-up at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Lastly, Jay Chapman may face his former side Toronto FC after coming through the ranks at the team's youth sides and later on playing for the first team from 2015 to 2019, winning the 2017 Supporters' Shield and the 2017 MLS Cup in the process.

Toronto FC's Record

Toronto FC enters this weekend's match after falling 1-0 on the road against Atlanta United FC on Wednesday. In the 2021 season, Toronto has recorded three wins, six draws and 11 losses. Midfielders Jonathan Osorio, who has registered four goals, and Yeferson Soteldo, who has dished out five assists, have led the team so far this campaign.

Check out the Inter Miami CF Statistics

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