Javier Mascherano said Inter Miami had only achieved their first goal of the 2025 season after confirming their spot in the playoffs in midweek. 

Mascherano watched on as his team swept aside New York City FC 4-0 at Citi Field, with captain Lionel Messi scoring twice and also providing an assist. 

It was a result that sealed the Herons' spot in the postseason, with Miami currently third in the Eastern Conference standings with five games of their regular season remaining. 

They also have an advantage over their rivals at the summit, boasting two games in hand on the teams around them, given their involvement at the Club World Cup. 

Miami still have the chance to topple leaders Philadelphia Union, with Mascherano aiming to climb as high as possible in the division to ensure home advantage in the playoffs. 

"We achieved our first goal. It was very important for us. We have to keep pushing forward," Mascherano said.

"We still have two games left, so we'll try to rotate the squad a bit, but we also want to win and secure the best possible playoff position.

"We want to fight for the Supporters' Shield, but first we need to focus on Toronto, recover our players, and keep our mindset that the next match is always the most important."

Another positive from the result was a rare clean sheet against NYCFC, something Miami have only managed to do five times in total this season in the MLS. 

Mascherano was also quick to laud Messi's unselfishness, having handed Luis Suarez the responsibility of a 83rd-minute penalty despite being in the race for the Golden Boot. 

"The next games we'll work hard to avoid conceding. That will help us in the playoffs," Mascherano said. "We need goals more than he [Messi] does.

"And that's exactly how he wants it. He likes to share, to involve everyone. Suarez needed to score, and that's really good for the group. 

Miami will be hoping to build on the momentum of three consecutive wins when they visit BMO Field this weekend to take on lowly Toronto FC. 

Toronto's hopes of reaching the postseason have already ended after drawing 1-1 with rivals CF Montreal on August 30, with their recent run of stalemates key to their elimination.

Indeed, Robin Fraser's side have drawn their last six regular-season fixtures, and know they will need a monumental effort to get the better of Miami. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto – Theo Corbeanu

Should Toronto have any chance of an unlikely victory, they will need Corbeanu to be at his best, with the striker boasting team-high totals for goals (six) and chances created (31) for Fraser's team this season. 

Indeed, Toronto are unbeaten in the five MLS matches in which Corbeanu has scored this season (W3 D2), and will be hoping that could be a good omen this time around. 

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

During Miami's win over NYCFC, Messi recorded his eighth multi-goal game in a single season, becoming the fourth player to achieve the feat after Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2018), Mamadou Diallo (2000) and Stern John (1998). 

He also became the first player in MLS history to record 35 goal contributions (24 goals, 11 assists) in back-to-back seasons in the competition. 

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will now be eyeing Carlos Vela's record of 49 goal involvements with five games of Miami's regular season left, and he will fancy his chances of adding to his tally against Toronto. 

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami have often had the better of this fixture, winning nine of their 12 all-time meetings with Toronto across all competitions (D1 L2), with their last defeat against this weekend's opponents coming in a 2-0 loss in March 2023 in the MLS. 

However, the Herons are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Toronto, outscoring Fraser's side 9-2, though their last encounter ended in a 1-1 draw earlier this season. 

Toronto, meanwhile, matched the record for the most consecutive league draws (six) against the Columbus Crew last time out, something only the Chicago Fire (2014), the Colorado Rapids (2011) and the San Jose Earthquakes (2004-05) have managed, and they will be out not to make MLS history here. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Toronto – 21.7%

Draw – 21.8%

Inter Miami – 56.5%