Toronto FC uses second half surge to edge Inter Miami

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:12 am

Alejandro Pozuelo's penalty kick in the 84th minute gave Toronto FC a 2-1 comeback win Sunday over visiting Inter Miami CF in East Hartford, Connecticut.

- Postseason clinching scenarios (via MLS)

- MLS points per game standings (via MLS) | Schedule | Statistics

- Stream MLS games LIVE, watch replays on ESPN+ (U.S. only)

Down 1-0 through 54 minutes, Toronto equalized the game on Ayo Akinola's ninth goal of the season. A half hour later, Pozuelo collected his ninth goal to tie Akinola for the team scoring lead and, more importantly, clinch the critical three points for Toronto FC.

Miami defender Ben Sweat was called for a foul in the box on Toronto's Richie Laryea that result in the penalty kick.

The loss hands Inter Miami (6-13-3, 21 points) a major setback in their attempt to reach the playoffs. Miami no longer controls its own postseason fate, as the club will have to defeat FC Cincinnati next Sunday and get some help from other results in the league's Decision Day.

Toronto (13-4-5, 44 points) is even with the Philadelphia Union atop the league standings, though the Union hold the tiebreaker advantage. The battle for the Supporters' Shield will be decided next Sunday on when Toronto FC visits the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia hosts the New England Revolution.

Blaise Matuidi's first MLS goal gave Inter Miami the lead in the 42nd minute. Matuidi was in position to deposit the rebound after goalkeeper Quentin Westberg's deflected save of a Lewis Morgan shot.

Toronto FC had more than 64 percent of the possession in the first half but only two shots and no real offensive chances. However, the insertion of forward Patrick Mullins as a halftime substitute seemed to spark the attack.

Mullins sent a looping pass into the box in the 55th minute that found Akinola, who did well to both collect the ball and then fire it past John McCarthy for the equalizer. Akinola was back in the lineup after missing Toronto's three previous games due to injury.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Toronto FC.