Jean Mota and Ariel Lassiter scored in the first half to give Inter Miami a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC, ending the Reds five-match unbeaten streak.
After an uneventful opening quarter of the match, Mota’s powerful strike from distance hit Alex Bono on the hands and somehow ended up in the back of the goal.
Toronto responded moments later after Federico Bernardeschi’s effort was blocked. The ball popped up into the air for Insigne to hit a gorgeous volley into the bottom corner.
That was Insigne’s third goal in six matches since joining Toronto in mid July. Along with Bernardeschi and Criscito, the Italians have been involved in 11 of Toronto’s last 13 goals.
Ariel Lassiter put Inter back ahead just moments before the break. Miami won a fee kick on the right wing and ran a set piece that resulted in a goal. Once again, Bono’s positioning on the play was rather suspect.
Insigne came close on a couple of occasions in the second half, but the match ended 2-1 in favour of the home side. The loss ended Toronto’s unbeaten streak at five matches, which coincided with the debuts of Insigne and Bernardeschi.
The match was a reunion of sorts. Insigne and Bernardeschi are both former teammates of Inter Miami striker Gonzalo HiguaĆn. Insigne played with HiguaĆn for three seasons in Napoli, from 2013 to 2016.
The last time Insigne and HiguaĆn were opponents was on January 26, 2020. Napoli beat Juventus 2-1 at the Stadio San Paolo, with Insigne scoring the match winner. Bernardeschi was a member of that Juventus squad as well. He played two seasons with HiguaĆn, first in 2017/18 and then when HiguaĆn returned to Juventus for the 2019/20 campaign.
Meanwhile, former league MVP Alejandro Pozuelo played his first match against Toronto since his transfer to Miami in early July. Pozuelo played three and half seasons with the Reds, scoring 30 goals in 100 appearances in all competitions.
Toronto will be back in action on August 27th as they visit Chalotte FC.
