Young Marshall-Rutty shines for TFC in 3-0 loss to Inter Miami

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Inter Miami’s offense, caught in a terrible drought heading into Wednesday night’s game against Toronto FC, hit like a tropical storm against the Reds.

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The Herons had not scored in four straight games before Wednesday’s game at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and had lost six straight games. But facing TFC was, again, just what the doctor ordered Miami, the lowest-scoring team in MLS.

Struggling to return to the playoff image, Miami’s offense came to life in a big way when the Herons defeated TFC 3-0, the home team’s third straight win against Toronto this season.

TFC has now failed to score in three straight road games.

The game was fairly even in terms of possession, although Miami recorded 17 shots to eight from Toronto and six on goal, while TFC had four. The loss was TFC’s second in a row.

A couple of defensive errors and corner kicks were the undoing of TFC. The Reds showed some danger in the attack against Miami, but were a bit slow in the end.

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“Obviously some unfortunate mistakes and when you quit early in the game and face a team that’s fighting for the playoffs, it’s going to be tough,” said veteran TFC defender Justin Morrow, who made his 250th appearance for TFC at all competitions. “But like all these games at this time of year, you try to take away the positives. Giving the youngsters a few minutes was positive tonight. “

With four regular-season MLS games remaining, the Reds are officially eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs, but are now fighting to win the Canadian Championship.

That tournament resumes on November 3 at BMO Field against Pacific FC, a game of immense importance for the club desperately wanting to save the disappointing 2021 season (6W 17L 7D) by winning the Voyageurs Cup. qualify for the 2022 Concacaf Champions League.

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Federico Higuaín opened the scoring early for Miami, while Christian Makoun scored a second Miami goal in the first half. The Herons added a third in the second half on Toronto’s own goal.

Higuain’s goal was his twelfth overall against TFC, the most of any player against Toronto, according to TSN.

A couple of bright spots for TFC were the two young Canadians on the wings, 17-year-old Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty on the right and 21-year-old Jacob Shaffelburg on the left. It was Marshall-Rutty’s first start for TFC and he stood his ground.

“I thought it was fantastic,” said TFC coach Javier Pérez at the Marshall-Rutty presentation, who has reportedly already piqued the interest of some of the best European clubs, including Manchester teams, as well. like Bayern Munich and Porto. “It is no surprise to me. I think it was the right time for him. He is so young and so talented. Obviously towards the end he was tired and we had to give him a little rest ”.

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Also in the starting eleven against Miami was Alejandro Pozuelo, the Spaniard’s first start since August 27. Pozuelo, the defending MLS MVP, had his creative moments against Miami.

Federico Higuaín thought he had given Miami a 1-0 lead in the second minute, but the goal was disallowed offside.

In the eighth minute, Shaffelburg crossed a perfect ball to Patrick Mullins in the area, but the veteran forward couldn’t beat Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman.

The Herons’ first goal came through an absolutely brutal draw by Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono, who tried to clear the ball to Michael Bradley, but handed it to Federico Higuaín of Miami, who with his right leg entered the goal to the 10 minutes. Higuaín received a yellow card from referee Armando Villarreal at the goal post for removing his shirt in celebration.

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Yeferson Soteldo appeared to equalize a couple of minutes later, but that goal was disallowed offside. The Venezuelan international left the game in the 35th minute after appearing a hamstring strain. He was replaced by Richie Laryea. Perez later said he was unsure of the extent of the injury.

Bono made a good save after a free kick by Gonzalo Higuaín from outside the area in the 43rd minute.

Makoun put Inter Miami ahead 2-0 in the 45th minute with a corner kick, received the ball in the box and kicked it into the lower right corner with his left foot.

Trailing 2-0, the Reds started the second half on the front foot, but it was Miami who almost scored early when Gonzalo Higuain shot with his right leg just to the left of goal.

Bono had to make a good jump save from Makoun on a free kick. But on the next play, another corner kick, the Herons took a 3-0 lead on Toronto’s own goal when a Miami corner kick kicked defender Eriq Zavaleta in the back.

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Bono, despite the mistake that cost Toronto a goal, certainly couldn’t be blamed for the loss and made a good save in the 69th minute with Lewis Morgan’s right foot. Bono made another good save in the 85th minute over Robbie Robinson.

TFC will play Saturday night at BMO Field against 401 rivals CF Montreal.

RED CARD APPEALS DENIED

An Independent Review Panel has denied Atlanta United’s appeal of the red card issued to midfielder Ezequiel Barco and TFC’s appeal of the red card issued to defender Auro Júnior in the 83rd minute of their match on October 16, when the two heads collided. As a result of the denied appeal, Auro was ineligible to play in Miami on Wednesday and Barco did not play in Atlanta’s game against NYCFC.