Analyzing Inter Miami: Robinson's left foot, Gonzalez Pirez's pinpoint passing, and more
Three takeaways from Inter Miami's 3-1 victory over Toronto FC
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Robbie Robinson is making real strides with his development. His latest goal was a clear sign of that.
Inter Miami picked up its fourth consecutive home victory on Saturday night with a convincing 3-1 triumph over Toronto FC, and Robinson scored the winner in the game in the first half with the type of play that he has by and large avoided for much of his young career.
The winger received the ball in space on the left flank in the 35th minute and dribbled forward to find himself matched up against veteran centerback Omar Gonzalez in a 1-on-1 situation. Robinson slowed his dribbling run as he got to the penalty area to set up his next movement, and — as anyone who has followed his time in the league might have guessed — then started shifting his body towards the inside to get into his preferred right-footed shooting posture.
He did something surprising immediately after that, though.
Rather than follow through with the move, he changed gears and opted to push to the outside to open up a left-footed shooting posture. It caught Gonzalez completely off guard, leaving him in the rearview mirror and providing Robinson with just enough space and time to push the ball home with that weaker foot.
“I had been practicing that with the left because I have been cutting on my right a lot and defenders are starting to see that and just force me the other way,” said Robinson after the game. “I just faked the shot with my right, he went for it, I hit it with my left, and it was a goal.”
While Robinson had effectively pulled off a similar move in the recent 1-1 draw vs. Orlando City albeit without the goal, the 21-year-old attacker has mostly refrained from using his left foot throughout the early parts of his career. He has been notably very right-footed, forcing things — sometimes awkwardly — onto his stronger leg on occasion despite plays that called for the opposite.
He now, however, is starting to show that he can manage both postures a bit better. That not only is making Robinson less predictable to defend and more lethal in front of goal, but is giving Inter Miami an added element to hurt other teams with. He can now pose the threat of attacking in both directions, as was showed again in the second half when he clipped in a good cross with his left foot that none of his teammates got on the end of.
What’s more, the decisive goal will give the youngster a boost in confidence, just in time before a potential call-up by Chile. His game is becoming more well-rounded, and more goals are to sure to come as a result of that.
Gonzalez Pirez continues to be an attacking weapon
Another attacking weapon Inter Miami used to great effect on Saturday was one that the team has relied on a good bit in recent games: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez’s pinpoint passing from the back.
Gonzalez Pirez recorded two assists on the night against Toronto FC, setting up both Robinson’s winner and Rodolfo Pizarros’s second-half insurance goal with the type of accurate balls that have been on display for several weeks now. The centerback first used the outside part of his foot to hit a perfectly-weighted pass to an open Robinson, and then delivered a long ball in behind the defense that Pizarro raced onto before looping his ensuing shot.
Those two plays might have stood out more than the rest of his contributions in the win on Saturday, but his overall performance was exquisite. He defended to near perfection in addition to creating chances for others, coming up with two tackles, three interceptions, five clearances, a blocked shot, and two aerial duel wins.
“I think he has played like a leader,” said Neville. “… Leandro has been so consistent. So consistent in his performances. I do think he suits better (as the right centerback in the five-man defense) coming out with the ball. He gives us another dimension.
“We are really, really pleased with Leandro. His behavior, his leadership around the building has been outstanding, and we are pleased with him.”
Known mostly for being a physical and aggressive defender with a penchant for getting yellow cards, Gonzalez Pirez has been reminding everyone as of late that he also has some elegance to his game. Expect Inter Miami to continue to use his passing to generate danger, and expect the Argentine to continue to make an impact if he can maintain the precision with which he is currently playing.
Toronto FC offered very little resistance
No one on Inter Miami had a bad game on Saturday, but the level of the opposition has to be taken into account.
Toronto FC entered the game at Drv Pnk Stadium already with the fewest points in MLS and the most goals given up, and the Canadian team stayed true to form with a poor performance that had Inter Miami looking like an attacking powerhouse. What’s more, Toronto FC offered very little resistance en route to being handed its 12th loss of the season.
“We actually scored all four goals tonight, didn’t we,” said Neville when asked if it mattered to him that his team was unable to record its first cleansheet since Week 3 due to an own goal from Kieran Gibbs.
Inter Miami certainly deserves plenty of credit for not overlooking the overmatched opposition, and taking care of business in such dominant fashion while simultaneously avoiding the type of nervy finish that the team has grown accustomed to experiencing. We have seen stunning results in MLS and throughout the sport countless times due to teams underestimating their foes, but Inter Miami did not allow itself to become the latest example of that.
The South Florida side did its job and treated fans to a delightful display — so much so that fun “Ole!” chants rang out throughout the stadium late on — but bigger challenges lie ahead. Much bigger challenges.