Player ratings as the Herons complete a comeback to win their fifth straight game

Matias Rojas stole the show with a goal and an assist while Luis Suarez added his 11th goal of the season as Inter Miami came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at CF Montreal.

South Florida was looking to make it five straight against Eastern Conference foes, while Montreal was aiming for its first win since April 13 and avoid slipping down the table.

It was a great start for the athletes after facing an early storm from Miami. Even with Miami knocking on the door as Laurent Courtois’ side continued to try to play from the back, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint found himself with acres of space to run after a conversion from Miami.

Vilsaint then played Bryce Duke through the goal, and Montreal’s number 10 put Canada up 1-0 in the 22nd minute with a cool effort that blocked Drake Callender on his way to a goal.

The dream start continued for the hosts after Vilsaint re-entered the game. Miami’s defense was once again split as Ariel Lassiter found Vilsaint unmarked just outside the Herons’ penalty area. The 21-year-old looked up and sent a curling effort that Callender couldn’t stop to double Montreal’s advantage in the 32nd minute.

Miami managed to pull one back just before halftime in a rare fashion. The Herons were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from the Montreal goal; however, Lionel Messi was not on the field as he was receiving treatment for a minor concussion during an earlier challenge. Up stepped Matias Rojas, who fired in a stunning left-footed effort to pull the visitors back that stunned everyone inside the Stade Saputo.

Montreal’s two-goal lead vanished into thin air after the Herons took yet another set. Julian Gressel sent in a curling corner that Luis Suarez tapped in behind to make it two points apiece.

As if the spectacular goal kick wasn’t enough, Rojas decided to get in on the action again by playing Benjamin Cremaschi though the goal with a well-placed pass over the Montreal defense. Cremaschi — who was making his first MLS campaign of 2024 — somehow managed to get a little touch on the ball to direct it into the back of the net and put Miami ahead for the first time of the night in the 59th minute.

Miami will take all three points and remain in first place in the Supporters’ Shield standings with 27 points from 13 games played, while Montreal dropped to 12th place in the Eastern Conference table with 12 points from 11 games played.

GK: Drake Callender – 5/10 – Everywhere from the beginning with a shaky distribution. I didn’t come close to scoring two goals in Montreal.

RB: Marcelo Weigandt – 7/10 – He stepped up defensively with great ease around his net and some well-timed challenges.

CB: Serhiy Kryvtsov – 5/10 – The defender is obviously shaking off the rust when he made his first appearance since March 23 due to injury. He was sent off for Montreal’s first goal of the night, high up the field and away from his own goal.

CB: Nicolas Freire – 6/10 – He made a few important considerations early on and showed good observation. A much better show from Firere compared to some of his previous outings.

LB: Franco Negri – 6/10 – It started slowly but picked up the pace as the game progressed.

CM: Julian Gressel – 7/10 – He can’t be praised for helping Suarez score a goal but he again put the ball that had caused chaos in the back.

CM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10 – Another solid performance from the veteran as he regains the ball and dribbles through to his teammates.

CM: Benjamin Cremaschi 6/10 – It took the young man a minute to get fit when he started the season but he managed to score the game winning goal.

RW: Lionel Messi – 7/10 – It wasn’t the impactful or complete performance we’re used to seeing from Messi in a Miami shirt. However, he was still amazed at the intelligence of each person here and there.

ST: Luis Suarez – 7/10 – His persistence when Montreal tried to play from behind was rewarded in the form of his 11th goal of the campaign.

LW: Matias Rojas – 8/10 – He continues to flash quality in his third overall appearance and start as a Heron. His long range free kick is sure to be up for Goal of the Season when all is said and done.

What you are holding

SUB: David Ruiz (72′ for Cremaschi) – 6/10

SUB: Robert Taylor (72′ for Rojas) – 6/10

SUB: Yannick Bright (79′ for Gressel) – N/A

SUB: Ryan Sailor (79′ for Kryvtsov) – N/A

SUB: Leo Campana (90′ for Suarez) – N/A

The manager

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino – 7/10 – It’s not exactly what he drew, but it’s another three points for the Herons away from home in their bid for the Supporters’ Shield title.