After a disappointing loss in Concacaf Champions Cup action midweek against LAFC, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami CF will look to bounce back to winning form when they take on Canada's Toronto FC on Sunday.
Given their bye week on the international break, the undefeated Herons have played one match fewer than other Eastern Conference teams. They sit second in the table, trailing Columbus Crew SC by 15 points. However, a win would bring Inter Miami into the top spot with 13 points (with a game in hand).
A win would also put Miami atop the MLS Supporters' Shield standings, with first-place currently held by Vancouver Whitecaps FC on 16 points.
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Sunday's match will see the two most expensive MLS roster builds battle against each other, as well as the two highest-paid players with Messi's $20.45 million per season topping the charts, ahead of Lorenzo Insigne's $15.4 million. Sergio Busquets is third on the list, making $8.77 million per season.
Doubt remains around whether Messi and Miami's veteran superstars will play many minutes however. Head coach Javier Mascherano could opt to rest players, given the addded importance of overturning a 1–0 deficit against LAFC in the Champions Cup.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm ET on Sunday. Here is how the Herons could line up.
