Sargent, Etienne Jr. spark Toronto to 2-1 win over Inter Miami

MIAMI (AP) — Josh Sargent and Derrick Etienne Jr. scored second-half goals three minutes apart and Toronto FC held on for a 2-1 Major League Soccer victory over Inter Miami on Saturday night.

Neither team found the net until the rookie Sargent scored in the 59th minute to give Toronto the lead. Dániel Sallói and Etienne had assists on Sargent’s fourth goal. Sallói’s helper was his seventh and Etienne collected his third.

Etienne scored his third of the season — unassisted three minutes later for a two-goal lead that helped Toronto win in Miami for the first time.

Lionel Messi cut it to 2-1 in the 82nd minute with his 14th goal this season and his 64th in 71 career appearances. Rodrigo De Paul and Maximiliano Falcón had assists.

Luka Gavran saved two shots for Toronto (5-7-9).

Dayne St. Clair finished without a save for Inter Miami (11-4-6), which falls to 0-2-2 in August.

Toronto is 2-0-2 in its last four matches and 2-1-4 since July 1.

Inter Miami posted a 4-2 victory in Toronto back in May and leads the all-time series 9-3-2.

UP NEXT

Toronto: Hosts New York City FC on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Miami: Hosts CF Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 29.

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Sargent, Etienne Jr. spark Toronto to 2-1 win over Inter Miami | iNFOnews.ca
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Sargent, Etienne Jr. spark Toronto to 2-1 win over Inter Miami | iNFOnews.ca
Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) reacts after a play during the first half of an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Sargent, Etienne Jr. spark Toronto to 2-1 win over Inter Miami | iNFOnews.ca
Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) controls the ball against Toronto FC forward Dániel Sallói (20) during the first half of an MLS soccer game on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Sargent, Etienne Jr. spark Toronto to 2-1 win over Inter Miami | iNFOnews.ca
Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran (1) defenders Richie Laryea (22) and Nicksoen Gomis (15) celebrate after defeating Inter Miami in an MLS soccer game on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Sargent, Etienne Jr. spark Toronto to 2-1 win over Inter Miami | iNFOnews.ca
Inter Miami forward Leo Messi (10) takes a shot to score during the second half of an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/David Santiago)

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