Messi scores but Miami slump continues with loss to Toronto

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi failed to secure a victory for his team as they suffered a 2-1 home loss to Toronto on Saturday, extending their five-match winless streak. Toronto took an early lead with goals from Josh Sargent and Derrick Etienne Jr. in the 59th and 62nd minutes. Messi managed to level the score in the 82nd minute through a well-placed through ball from his teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

Despite this effort, Miami's resilience was not enough to secure a win. With 14 goals, Messi finds himself second in the Major League Soccer scoring chart, trailing only Dallas' Petar Musa, who had 16 goals entering the match. However, Miami's recent form has been a cause for concern, as they have suffered four losses and a draw in their last five matches, including both MLS play and the League Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage.

The team currently sits in second place in the MLS Eastern Conference, trailing leaders Nashville by seven games, with a two-game disadvantage due to Nashville's extra rest day. Robert Lewandowski's Chicago Fire managed to close the gap in the standings after a 1-1 draw with New York Red Bulls on Saturday. Meanwhile, Orlando City have climbed into the MLS Cup playoff positions in the East with a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, thanks to a brace from French star Antoine Griezmann, who scored twice in the second half, marking his first MLS brace and pulling his team back after Real Salt Lake took the lead with a goal from Dominik Marczuk in the 36th minute.