By Official Florida FC
Gonzalo Higuain. What a player.
Inter Miami’s record signing has turned in performances worth the price down the stretch of the 2022 MLS regular season. Friday night, Higuain’s 86th minute goal gave Inter Miami a 1-0 win over Toronto FC and moved the Herons into playoff positioning with two regular season games remaining.
Inter Miami (13-13-6, 45 points) are seventh in the Eastern Conference. The Herons have the same number of points as eighth-placed Columbus (10-7-15, 45 points) but have more wins, and thus the tiebreaker over the 2020 MLS Cup champions.
The Florida club’s fate will be decided in Fort Lauderdale. Inter Miami hosts Orlando City (13-13-6) on Wednesday. Then, it hosts Montreal to close the regular season.
Clarity may come as soon as Wednesday night. Charlotte FC (13-7-2, 41 points) hosts Columbus. If both matches end in a draw, then, Charlotte and Columbus would be eliminated from the postseason.
Considering the way Higuain has played, it’s unlikely the Florida Derby will end with split spoils.
Inter Miami has won three straight. Higuain has scored the winner after the 80th minute in all three.
“This is the best form I’ve been in since I arrived at the club,” Higuain said afterward. I’m at peace with myself, and when you’re at peace it’s hard for things to go wrong…I’m really enjoying playing fútbol, I’m enjoying being a part of this group that, regardless of if things are going well or going poorly, always gives everything. I’m enjoying it, really happy to be able to help the team. It’s been a difficult year for me but all the work has its reward…I feel like I’m in one of the happiest moments of my career…
“I’ve surpassed last year’s goals and without a doubt I am enjoying my time. I’ve been enjoying playing a lot, and I hope to see the fans Wednesday against Orlando, because it’s going to be a very important game for us.”
Higuain has 14 goals in 26 matches this season. He averages Higuain averages a goal ever 115 minutes for the Herons this season. Of the 24 MLS players with 10 or more goals, only NYCFC’s Taty Castellanos and Las Angeles Galaxy super sup Dejan Joveljic have a lower goals per minute average than Higuain.
