Miami on track for MLS record points after win in Toronto

MIAMI: Inter Miami remained on track for the record points tally in Major League Soccer history after Leonardo Campana´s stoppage-time goal gave them a 1-0 win at Toronto.

Miami started with all their big-name stars, including Lionel Messi, on the bench but the Argentine was introduced in the 61st minute to the delight of many in the Toronto crowd. The Florida side had already secured the Supporters´ Shield, for the top team in the regular season, with their midweek win at the Columbus Crew. With top seed and home field advantage secured for the playoffs, the only target left for Miami is to try to better the record of 73 points in a season set by the New England Revolution in 2021.

The win leaves Miami on 71 points ahead of the final game of the season -- at home to New England on October 19. An uneventful game, on a less than perfect field, was settled in added time when Luis Suarez, also on as a substitute, pumped a cross into the box and Ecuador international Campana took the ball on his thigh before volleying home on the turn.

It was only the second shot on target of the game for Miami and midfielder Julian Gressel said they were now gunning for the record. “I think we´d all be lying if we said it doesn´t matter. Now we have something to play for in front of our home fans it would be a nice way to finish off with that record-setting season,” he said.

It was Toronto´s final game of the campaign and their slim hopes of making the post-season ended a few hours later when when D.C. United enjoyed a 2-1 win at the New England Revolution.