Fans cheer Messi at BMO Field as Toronto FC Miami concedes a late goal and misses the playoffs

Leo Campana's stoppage-time goal gave Inter Miami a 1-0 win and left Toronto FC's playoff hopes hanging by a thread on Saturday.

DC United's 2-1 win over New England later that day sealed Toronto's fate and eliminated TFC from postseason contention.

Toronto needed a win over Miami in the regular season finale and help from others to stay alive in the playoff race. And although Miami kept stars like Lionel Messi in reserve until the hour mark, TFC couldn't take advantage.

Toronto (11-19-4, 37 points) entered the weekend's game ninth in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. The eighth- and ninth-place clubs will meet in a wild-card playoff, with the winner advancing to a best-of-three first-round matchup against the conference's top seed – Miami in the East.

The win in New England lifted DC United (10-13-10, 40 points) past Toronto, which will have to watch the league's final regular-season games from the sidelines with a bye on Oct. 19. And while the 2024 season represents a step forward from last year's 4-2-10 debacle, TFC will rue missed opportunities.

While other teams picked up the pace in the home stretch, Toronto picked up one point out of 15 possible in its last five games (0-4-1), including three at home.

And while Toronto held the lead for most of Saturday's game, it lacked impact – as has been the case all season, Messi and Luis Suarez combined for 35 league goals, just five fewer than Toronto's total goals for the season.

“We're not as ruthless and no-nonsense as other teams,” Toronto coach John Herdman said. “We see that Miami has this great opportunity and it is taking advantage of it.”

And how.

Campana started the game and dispossessed Toronto midfielder Alonso Coello. Luis Suarez sent a well-flying ball that Campana, finding space between defenders in the Toronto penalty area, controlled with his leg before turning and firing a shot past goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 93rd minute – his eighth goal of the year Season.

Although Federico Bernardeschi was sidelined due to suspension and the ailing Lorenzo Insigne was limited to an 11-minute appearance, Toronto edged Miami 15-4 (7-2 in shots on goal).

“I thought our guys did anything but score. … Same old story,” Herdman lamented.

Young pitch invader takes selfie with Messi

Messi was the main attraction, sparking chants of “Messi, Messi” and turning up the volume when he was finally substituted in the 61st minute. The 37-year-old Argentina captain drew cheers when he paused in the 86th minute to allow a young pitch invader to take a selfie with him. An older fan received a not-so-welcome seconds later as he ran across the field.

“It was a wild night. … It felt like a circus,” was Herdman’s blunt assessment.

Miami (21-4-8) got off to a flying start with a 3-2 win at Columbus in midweek to clinch the Supporters' Shield, which goes to the team with the best regular season record in the league.

Saturday's win means Miami, with 71 points and one game remaining, is still on track to match the league's single-season points record of 73, set by New England in 2021.

Miami joins the New York Red Bulls (71 points in 2018), Los Angeles FC (72 points in 2019) and New England as the only 70-point teams in MLS history. With its 11th road win of the season, Miami also tied CF Montreal for the most road wins in a single season in the post-shootout era (11 in 2022).

Miami was undefeated in its 10 league games (7-0-3) and last lost on July 6 – a 6-1 loss at Cincinnati.

Miami made 10 changes to the starting lineup that beat Columbus in an important game.

With first place in the East already secured, Miami coach Tata Martino opted to keep Messi, Suarez and fellow stars Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and goalkeeper Drake Callender among the substitutes. With a total salary of around $33 million, it was a high-profile bank in Miami.

But Messi's pink Miami and blue Argentina jerseys, as well as some from his FC Barcelona era, were visible in the crowd. And when the players came out, all eyes were on Miami's bench rather than the starters.

The BMO Field crowd rose to its feet and cheered in the 48th minute as Messi left the bench to warm up with the other Miami substitutes.

Messi and Busquets came together again to celebrate together. Suarez came into the game 10 minutes later, in the 71st minute.

While Messi's every touch elicited a reaction from the announced 30,217 spectators – his blocked shot drew aahs in the 68th minute – apart from the winning goal, this was pretty much the only drama in a dreary game.

Messi, who has played the last five games after returning from injury, faces Argentina for the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela next week during the FIFA international window.

Herdman, who is missing injured defensemen Kevin Long (concussion) and Kosi Thompson (knee), made five changes to his starting lineup, bringing in Kobe Franklin, Nicksoen Gomis, Sigurd Rosted, Matty Longstaff and Coello.