Toronto 0 – 4 Inter Miami: Player Ratings as Robert Taylor masterclass comes at high price

Robert Taylor came off the bench to lead Inter Miami to a massive 4-0 win over Toronto FC that moved them ever closer to an MLS playoff spot.

Unfortunately, Taylor’s 37th-minute opener was notable for another reason, and a much less encouraging one for Inter Miami’s bigger picture.

Lionel Messi was withdrawn with what appeared to be a muscle problem, leading to Taylor’s arrival and subsequent performance in which he scored two goals and assisted another.

Messi, who has been rested twice in the past week, was considered fully fit for action but appeared to struggle past the half-hour mark and was eventually asked to be withdrawn.

The massive blow came just minutes after fellow star Jordi Alba was also pulled off with an injury, leading to questions about the workload head coach Gerardo Martino has imposed on Messi, Alba and Sergio Busquets at the start of his time at the club.

Fortunately for Miami, head coach Gerardo Martino confirmed after the game that Messi is suffering from “fatigue” and at least he does not have a serious muscle injury.

Any worries will have to wait, however, as the three points secured Inter Miami move up to 13th in the Eastern Conference table, just five points off the play-offs with six games to go.

Inter Miami Player Rating:

GK: Callender – 7.7