Inter Miami`s hopes for the Supporters` Shield suffered a setback after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on Saturday. This missed opportunity means they failed to secure crucial points in the race for the top spot in MLS, allowing rivals like Philadelphia Union to potentially extend their lead significantly. Despite having a game in hand on most of the league, this result makes their path tougher.
Toronto FC`s goalkeeper, Sean Johnson, was outstanding, making six saves, including three denying Lionel Messi, who had four shots on target for an xG of 0.73. Tadeo Allende`s goal late in the first half initially put the Herons in a winning position, suggesting they would leave with all three points.
However, Miami`s defensive frailties resurfaced in the second half. Toronto`s Djordje Mihailovic capitalized on space in the box, scoring the equalizer after a great assist from Richie Laryea, leaving keeper Oscar Ustari helpless. This highlights a persistent defensive problem that has plagued Miami all season and needs urgent attention as the business end of the MLS season approaches.
The bitter memory of their playoff exit to Atlanta United, which led to significant squad and coaching changes, still lingers. Despite additions like Rodrigo De Paul during the summer, these defensive vulnerabilities remain a serious concern. It`s particularly troubling that a team boasting talents like Messi and Luis Suarez is losing the expected goals (xG) battle against a struggling Toronto FC side, which is close to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. While Inter Miami still controls their Supporters` Shield destiny, failure to win their remaining matches could lead to further disappointment in a season that has largely underperformed domestically.
Achieving a spot in the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup is a historic first for an MLS team. Yet, considering their exits from the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, Javier Mascherano`s squad needs to secure multiple trophies to meet preseason expectations. The challenge for a team full of stars is to consistently play as a cohesive unit, rather than a collection of individuals, a tendency observed in the Toronto draw. Should this individualistic play persist into the playoffs, it would result in yet another season of unfulfilled potential.
Inter Miami`ning Supporters` Shield Umidlari Toronto FC Durangida Zarba Oldi
Shanba kuni Inter Miami Toronto FC bilan 1:1 hisobida durang o‘ynab, Supporters` Shield uchun umidlariga jiddiy zarba berdi. Bu o‘tkazib yuborilgan imkoniyat ular uchun MLSdagi eng yuqori o‘rin uchun kurashda hal qiluvchi ochkolarni qo‘lga kirita olmasligini anglatadi, bu esa Filadelfiya Union kabi raqiblarga peshqadamlikni sezilarli darajada oshirish imkonini beradi. Ligadagi aksariyat jamoalarga nisbatan bir o‘yin kam o‘tkazgan bo‘lsalar ham, bu natija ularning yo‘lini murakkablashtiradi.
Toronto FC darvozaboni Shon Jonson ajoyib o‘yin o‘tkazib, oltita seyv amalga oshirdi, shu jumladan Lionel Messining uchta zarbasini qaytardi. Messi 0.73 xG bilan to‘rtta aniq zarba bergan edi. Birinchi bo‘lim oxirida Tadeo Allendening goli «Herons»ni dastlab g‘alaba qozonish holatiga olib kelgandek tuyulgandi va ular uch ochko bilan ketishlari kutilgan edi.
Biroq, ikkinchi bo‘limda Mayamining himoyadagi zaifliklari yana paydo bo‘ldi. Torontolik Jorj Mixaylovich jarima maydonchasidagi bo‘shliqdan foydalanib, Richi Laryea tomonidan ajoyib uzatmaga gol urdi va hisobni tenglashtirdi, darvozabon Oskar Ustari hech narsa qila olmadi. Bu Mayamini butun mavsum davomida qiynagan doimiy himoyadagi muammoni ko‘rsatadi va MLS mavsumining hal qiluvchi bosqichiga yaqinlashar ekan, unga shoshilinch e`tibor berish kerak.
Atlanta Yunaytedga pley-offda mag‘lub bo‘lib, tarkib va murabbiylar shtabida sezilarli o‘zgarishlarga olib kelgan achchiq xotira hali ham saqlanib qolmoqda. Yozda Rodrigo De Paul kabi futbolchilar qo‘shilganiga qaramay, bu himoyadagi zaifliklar jiddiy tashvish uyg‘otishda davom etmoqda. Messi va Luis Suares kabi yulduzlarga ega jamoaning Sharqiy Konferensiyaning quyi qismidagi qiynalayotgan Toronto FCga qarshi kutilgan gollar (xG) bo‘yicha kurashda yutqazayotgani ayniqsa xavotirli. Inter Miami hali ham Supporters` Shield taqdirini o‘z qo‘lida ushlab turgan bo‘lsa-da, qolgan o‘yinlarda g‘alaba qozona olmaslik ichki musobaqalarda umidlarni oqlamagan mavsumda yanada ko‘proq umidsizlikka olib kelishi mumkin.
FIFA Klublar o‘rtasidagi Jahon Chempionatining 1/8 finaliga chiqish MLS jamoasi uchun tarixiy birinchi yutuqdir. Biroq, Konkakaf Chempionlar Kubogi va Liga Kubogidagi mag‘lubiyatlarni hisobga olsak, Xaver Mascheranoning jamoasi mavsum oldi umidlarini oqlash uchun bir nechta sovrinlarni qo‘lga kiritishi kerak. Yulduzlar bilan to‘la jamoaning muammosi shundaki, ba`zida ular bir-biridan alohida futbolchilar to‘plami sifatida o‘ynaydilar, bu Toronto bilan durangda ham kuzatilgan. Agar bu individualistik o‘yin pley-offga ham o‘tib ketsa, bu yana bir muvaffaqiyatsiz mavsumga olib keladi.
