Inter Miami secured a 4-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with a standout performance from superstar Lionel Messi at the revamped BMO Field. Messi contributed a goal and two assists, becoming the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions. The heavily attended match, with a crowd of 44,828 fans, also saw Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser receive a red card for his vociferous protests against the officiating in the second half.
Messi's Milestone and Inter Miami's Dominance
Lionel Messi's influence was undeniable throughout the game. His assist to Sergio Reguilón in the 73rd minute and his own goal in the 75th minute, assisted by Rodrigo De Paul, sealed Inter Miami's win. This performance marked Messi's ninth goal of the MLS season and pushed his career regular-season goal contributions to 100 in just 64 matches, a new league record. Overall, Messi has amassed 87 goals and 57 assists in 101 appearances across all competitions for Inter Miami. The victory improved Inter Miami's record to 6-2-4, while Toronto FC dropped to 3-4-5. Inter Miami controlled possession, holding 60% of the ball and outshooting Toronto FC 6-5 on target.
Fraser's Frustration and Refereeing Controversies
Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser expressed significant frustration with the officiating. He was particularly incensed by two non-calls in the second half. The first involved a hard foul on Toronto defender Raheem Edwards, which went uncalled and was immediately followed by Inter Miami scoring their second goal. Later, in added time, Toronto forward Derrick Etienne Jr. appeared to be fouled in the Miami box, but no penalty was awarded. "I feel really hard done because Raheem was clearly fouled outside our box, a yellow-card..." Fraser was quoted as saying, highlighting his belief that the referees were hesitant to make calls against high-profile players. The controversial calls contributed to Fraser's ejection from the match.
Toronto FC's Struggles and a Glimmer of Hope
Despite a promising start, Toronto FC ultimately fell short, extending their winless streak in MLS home matches to six games. The team continues to be hampered by injuries, with key players such as Djordje Milhailovic, Josh Sargent, Richie Laryea, and Matheus Pereira sidelined. However, rookie Emilio Aristizábal provided a spark for Toronto, scoring two late goals in the 82nd and 90th minutes, marking his first brace for the club and bringing his season total to three goals in 11 matches. Despite these late efforts, the comeback was not enough to overcome Inter Miami's lead. The state of the BMO Field pitch also drew criticism, with captain Jonathan Osorio describing it as "bumpy" and "not great," raising concerns about its condition for future matches, especially with the upcoming World Cup preparations.
Looking ahead, Toronto FC's next home game is scheduled for August 15 against the New England Revolution, following a break for the World Cup. Inter Miami, meanwhile, will aim to build on their recent success as they continue their MLS campaign.