Inter Miami are now occupying the seventh and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after their 1-0 victory against Toronto FC on Friday.
In front of their home fans, it was almost Toronto who took the lead in the 38th minute when Federico Bernadeschi's shot from outside the box took a heavy deflection, but Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender was able to adjust and make the save.
Toronto created more chances in the first half, but only had 38 per cent of the possession, and Miami's control of the ball began to pay dividends after the break.
Miami held Toronto without a shot on target in the second 45, and with time running down, they were able to find the decisive breakthrough.
A move from the right wing found its way to Robert Taylor on the edge of the box, and his slick little flick found its way through a maze of legs and into the path of Higuain, who made no mistake from right on the penalty spot.
The win means Miami will spend the night in the playoff positions, although the eighth-placed Columbus Crew have a superior goal difference and a game in-hand.
CF Montreal v Toronto FC: Herdman promises changes for Canadian 'six-pointer'
John Herdman has pledged to work on Toronto FC's shortcomings ahead of Saturday's derby versus CF Montreal, which he has described as a "six-pointer".
Toronto ended a miserable 10-game winless run by beating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 last weekend but were then brought crashing back to earth in midweek.
An Inter Miami team without Lionel Messi or Sergio Busquets, and with Luis Suarez limited to a substitute role, beat the Reds 3-1 to leave them eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Quebec, Herdman said getting on the right side of the fine margins must be their focus, saying: "We'll fix some things.
"We'll fix our set-pieces and move forward. We've got to look, mentally, at how we stay stronger, collectively, tactically how we adjust to manage these tougher periods.
"We will own this together and next task is on to Montreal. We've got two days to get ready for Montreal. Massive game. Six-pointer. We'll get after it.
Winger Derrick Etienne Jr., meanwhile, thinks the match comes at an ideal time.
"It comes at the right time," he said. "We want to get back to winning ways and I don't think there is any better way than getting a win in the derby."
Montreal are level on points with Toronto but are on the rise after a 1-0 win over Atlanta United and Wednesday's 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls, coming from behind twice in the latter game.
Mathieu Choiniere put through his own net in midweek but has impressed this season amid speculation he could leave the club, and boss Laurent Courtois has moved to highlight his contribution.
"He wants to give everything for his club, and I need Mathieu, not only for his versatility but also for the mentality and identity we want to have here," Courtois said.
"Now the player wants to get something to feel more valued, and at the end of the day we're all the same right? You just want to be valued for what you give, and he gives a lot."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Martinez scored both of Montreal's goals off the bench on Wednesday, his 22nd multi-goal MLS match and his second as a substitute.
The striker's 22 multi-goal games are tied for third most in league history.
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Bernardeschi has scored six goals in five matches against Montreal, including a hat-trick in the rivals' last meeting.
Only Brian White (seven versus St. Louis City) has scored more goals against a single opponent in MLS since Bernardeschi joined the league in July 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION – CF MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won five straight home matches against Toronto, the longest home winning streak by either team against the other in the history of the series (54 matches).
They twice came from behind against the Red Bulls on Wednesday and have now lost just two of their last 11 matches (three wins, six draws). With home advantage on their side, they will be favourites.
Indeed, Toronto are winless in their last eight away games (two draws, six losses), including losing their last five road matches in a row.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 56.1%
Toronto FC – 21.2%
Draw – 22.7%
Inter Miami 3-1 Toronto FC: Redondo stars as Herons return to the summit
Inter Miami returned to the summit of the Eastern Conference following their 3-1 win over Toronto FC at the Chase Stadium.
Federico Redondo scored twice in the second half to add to Diego Gomez's opener, with Derrick Etienne netting a late consolation for the visitors.
FC Cincinnati's 1-0 loss to Chicago Fire ensured the Herons returned to top spot, bouncing back from their 6-1 defeat to their Queen City rivals last time out.
Lionel Messi, who is recovering from an ankle injury following Argentina's Copa America success, watched on as his side almost fell behind only for Deandre Kerr to fluff his lines inside the area.
That opportunity would be capitalised on three minutes before the break, with Gomez firing the ball beyond Sean Johnson for the first real moment of magic in the contest.
Toronto continued to create chances, with Federico Bernardeschi almost providing an instant response only to see his curling effort saved brilliantly by Drake Callender.
But Inter Miami would increase their advantage shortly after the interval, with Redondo heading in at the back post following Julian Gressel's teasing delivery.
The Argentine would double his tally for the evening, and the season six minutes later, rounding off a superb team goal with a neat finish inside the area.
John Herdman's side would get themselves on the scoresheet heading into the final 10 minutes with Etienne placing the ball into the far left corner.
But Inter Miami would hold on to secure a 15th triumph of the season, ahead of their final fixture before the Leagues Cup against Chicago Fire this weekend.
Herdman targets Toronto playoff push as Inter Miami lick their wounds
John Herdman hopes Toronto FC's bad run is behind them and a playoff push on the horizon as they prepare to meet Inter Miami, who are still bristling at suffering their joint-record defeat last time out in MLS.
Toronto staged a second-half comeback to beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 on Saturday, snapping a seven-match losing streak across all competitions.
The Reds had been winless in nine ahead of their victory over the Union, which dragged them up to eighth in the Eastern Conference, three points adrift of the top seven.
With a number of players returning from injury and confidence restored, Herdman hopes that result can be something of a turning point.
"We can go into that match now against Miami with one of my best starting XIs for the first time since the beginning of the season," Herdman said.
"We're never too high and never too low, and we just keep our feet on the ground, stay focused.
"It's one win – and I thank the fans, they have been brilliant with us, they kept us going – but it's just the start, the start of a playoff push."
Miami, meanwhile, have been knocked off the top of the Eastern Conference, losing 6-1 to FC Cincinnati on their last outing on July 7.
Cincinnati then won their subsequent match to leapfrog Miami, who have been without Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez due to the Copa America, at the summit.
Boss Gerardo Martino highlighted the Herons' defensive issues after their last match, saying: "We had a period early in the season where we were vulnerable at the back.
"We started to fix that, the previous five or six games we did a solid job defending, but then we reverted defensively to how we played early in the season.
"We are still not there despite our good results and performances. We have to keep working and hoping in the final part of the season we can improve with our full roster."
However, Miami may have to wait to reintroduce Messi after he exited Argentina's Copa America final victory over Colombia with an ankle injury.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Inter Miami – Julian Gressel
Gressel has eight assists in MLS this season, a tally only bettered by Messi (nine) among Miami players.
His tally of 4.19 expected assists (xA), meanwhile, is better than Messi's 3.59. With the Herons still missing some of their key men, they may need Gressel to supply the chances.
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Only nine players have bettered Bernardeschi's tally of 53 chances created in MLS this year, while he also has 12 goal involvements (eight goals, four assists).
Ranking fourth for shots attempted (79) but just 34th for expected goals (6.5 xG), the Italian is not afraid to try his luck from any position.
MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN
Toronto halted a nine-game winless streak by beating Philadelphia last time out, but their last pair of back-to-back victories in MLS came in late April and early May.
They are winless in their last seven away games, losing their last four in a row and conceding multiple goals in six of their last seven.
Miami, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last eight home matches in MLS, winning four of their last six. Despite their absences, they approach the game as favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Inter Miami – 72.4%
Toronto FC – 11.7%
Draw – 15.9%
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