45,000 people will jam into BMO Field today to watch one of soccer's greats, Lionel Messi, lead his Inter Miami CF against Toronto FC.
Inter Miami CF (5-4-2) vs. Toronto FC (3-5-3), 1 p.m. EST, BMO Field, Toronto
Soccer betting today at Betway has Inter Miami the favorite at -125, Toronto +250, Draw +320. Total Goals: Over 1.5 (-1000), Under 1.5 (+475), Over 2.5 (-267), Under 2.5 (+180), Over 3.5 (+100), Under 3.5 (-138), Over 4.5 (+220), Under 4.5 (-334).
If you’re going to the game, prepare for traffic Armageddon. For the first time in team history, with the stadium changes for the upcoming World Cup in the city, 45,000 fans will be crammed into BMO Field to watch Lionel Messi, one of the greatest to ever to play the game (having won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, UEFA Champions League titles, league championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup title) and Inter Miami CF.
So, expect road closures and new entry and exit points to the stadium.
This is the final TFC home game prior to the World Cup.
BEST BETS
Inter Miami To Win -125
The legendary Argentine ace hasn’t regressed at all, after an MLS season last year that saw him rack up 29 goals in 28 games on the way to being named league MVP. Inter Miami CF would win the MLS Cup, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Messi has eight goals and a pair of assists in ten matches so far. Miami sits in third spot in the MLS Eastern Conference, five wins, four points out of first (Nashville SC sits there).
Toronto FC has been a middle of the pack team – 8th in the Eastern Conference, just three wins, nine points behind Nashville. They drew their last home game, 1-1, May 2, against the Western Conference first place San Jose Earthquakes, with Daniel Salloi netting the goal for the Reds.
Historically, TFC holds a 2W-8L-2T record across their first 12 regular season meetings with Miami and will look to secure their first home victory over the Herons since March 2023.
The Reds on home field have earned results in seven of their eight MLS home matches over the season, and they’re going to push to get back to their winning ways, before embarking on a long road trip through the World Cup.
But I am looking at Inter Miami’s road record of late – three straight wins. Their last game was a stunning 4-3 loss to Orlando City at home, on their new home field, where Miami coughed up a 3-0 lead. Martin Ojeda scored three goals for Orlando.
Toronto has challenges generating offence consistently, while Miami has one of the world’s great game breakers.
BEST BET
Lionel Messi Anytime Goalscorer -211
With eight goals so far, Messi takes a massive share of Miami shots and gets a ton of touches in dangerous areas.
Can Toronto hold off such an elite level of movement and creativity, for the entire match?
Miami is a top attacking team, and Toronto has difficulty controlling possession against those types of teams. That means more chances for Messi, who will draw fouls in dangerous areas, move into pockets of space, as those opportunities appear, combining quickly with another player, fast give and goes, speed and movement, around the box.
Today’s conditions will be mild, sunny, so weather isn’t going to hold anyone back. This is about as easy a prop as you’ll take.
If you’re feeling a little daffy, check out 2 Or More Goals for Messi at Betway, at +225. This is a high-profile match today, in front of a massive crowd, so don’t sleep on the psychological advantage for the Argentinian.
BEST BET
Total Goals Over 3.5 +100
The Reds play a tighter, disciplined style under head coach Robin Fraser. They limit mistakes, are more compact defensively, better organized in midfield, protecting central areas, forcing opponents wide. They will move the ball quickly through midfield, in transition, when they get the ball back. Toronto doesn’t play an attacking style at all.
They’ll score, but Miami wins today, and it feels like a 3-1 game.
