Inter Miami suffered a playoff setback on Wednesday night with defeat to FC Dallas.
Diego Alonso’s men took a lead into the break at Toyota Stadium but left empty-handed, still looking up at the final playoff spot.
Inter took the lead on the 33-minute mark when all three designated players combined for the opener.
Matias Pellegrini found Gonzalo Higuain who played a neat ball through to Rodolfo Pizarro. The Mexican playmaker sold the keeper with a fake before slotting home from close range.
GOOOOAL @Rpizarrot
32′ | 0 – 1 pic.twitter.com/wPi3b6H6w7— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 29, 2020
But 10 minutes into the second half, Miami was dealt a setback when the hero of last weekend, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez stepped in with a clumsy challenge on Bryan Reynolds.
A penalty was awarded and Franco Jara tucked it away to ensure the hosts went into the final 30 minutes level.
Both teams pushed for the winner in an end-to-end finale, Higuain forcing a save from Jimmy Maurer from a tight angle and Blaise Matuidi failed to make the most of a free header.
The home side had chances, too. Fafa Picault having perhaps the best of them, forcing a save from John McCarthy with a looping header.
But the decisive moment arrived nine minutes from time when Reynolds was allowed to ghost in behind Ben Sweat from the right before dodging another challenge, getting to the byline and crossing for Ryan Hollingshead to tap home.
¡Dale! pic.twitter.com/JQgkAINLTY
— FC Dallas (?️?️?️ Stans) (@FCDallas) October 29, 2020
A crushing defeat for Miami in the tenth and final playoff place level on points with Chicago Fire and DC United. Miami are currently ahead on wins.
Inter do have the better of the remaining fixtures, but they now need to do their job and hope for a favour or two during Fire’s crucial run-in and perhaps during DC’s run-in as well.
The Herons’ playoff push continues on Sunday night when they take on a Toronto side challenging for the Supporters’ Shield, currently three points behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union.
