Inter Miami vs Toronto FC: Messi could start after father's death
Inter Miami face Toronto FC in Major League Soccer’s Matchday 21 on Saturday, August 22, with kick-off set for 7:30 PM ET. The clash sees second-placed Miami (38 points from 18 games) host a Toronto side languishing 12th in the Eastern Conference on 17 points, grappling with inconsistency but capable of disrupting the title contenders.
Team News: Messi and Suárez Return for Miami
Luis Suárez is available again after missing all three of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup matches through suspension, and he will look to add to his 10 MLS goals this season. The bigger emotional storyline surrounds Lionel Messi, who is expected to make his first start since the death of his father, Jorge Messi. Messi came off the bench in a midweek Leagues Cup loss to Club León, but he could return to the starting XI here. No fresh injury concerns have been reported for either side, meaning head coach Javier Mascherano can deploy a full-strength Miami lineup. The predicted 4-1-3-2 shape sees Rocco Ríos Novo in goal, Sergio Reguilon at left-back, and a midfield anchored by Casemiro, with Rodrigo De Paul and Yannick Bright shuttling forward to support the strike partnership of Messi and Suárez.