Inter Miami CF looks to continue its title defense alive when it hosts Toronto FC in the Round of 32 of the 2024 Leagues Cup on Thursday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The two MLS clubs recently met in league play on July 17, 10 days before they started the tournament. The U.S. side won that encounter 3-1 over the Canadians with a Federico Redondo brace being the difference.
“We know it's going to be a tough game,” said Toronto FC defender Matty Longstaff. “I think it probably benefits us a little bit, playing them recently, because we know what they're about and how they set up. I think the squad is really looking forward to it, looking forward to playing the champions of this competition. You want to play the best and you want to beat the best.”
“It'll be a good match,” said Toronto FC head coach John Herdman. “They'll be at almost full strength with Busquets and Suarez back. We're anticipating all those players being available.
“The lads really enjoyed playing in Miami,” Herdman added. “I thought that showed particularly in our first half. So it's a game we know about them. We know how they want to play, and we just got to give it our all, because it's win and go through or lose and you're out.”
Toronto FC finished first in the East 6 group with a nil-nil draw against the New York Red Bulls, and 5-4 win on PKs, before winning 2-1 against reigning CONCACAF Champions Cup winners CF Pachuca.
Inter Miami CF opened its Leagues Cup defense with a 2-nil win over Puebla before losing 2-1 against Tigres UANL in front of 46,080 spectators at Houston’s NRG Stadium last Saturday.
“We value the game we played against Tigres very much,” said Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo Martino. “I think that just as we have been given something we didn't deserve on other occasions, the other day we also got something we didn't deserve, and we could easily have taken a two-to-one lead.”
Leonardo Campana scored the lone Miami goal against Tigres from the penalty spot, matching up against flamboyant goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman and never taking his eyes off him as he converted the spot kick. In the process, Campana tied Gonzalo Higuain for the all-time scoring record at Inter Miami – one that could take outright against Toronto.
“I'm here so that the team does well, to be champions,” said Campana. “To keep making history with this club, both individually and as a group. Those are my ambitions as a player. I can tell you that I will continue, I will continue to be there when I am needed, and obviously that number can be extended much further.”
