Toronto FC shows respect for Alejandro Pozuelo ahead of match vs. Inter Miami

Former Toronto FC star Alejandro Pozuelo will play his former team for the first time on Saturday since being traded by the Reds to Inter Miami CF last month.

Needing to free up a designated player slot to sign Italian superstar Federico Bernardeschi – and because Pozuelo did not really fit in Bob Bradley’s ideal 4-3-3 formation – the 30-year-old attacking midfielder was dealt from Toronto to Miami on July 7 in exchange for just $150,000 in guaranteed General Allocation Money (GAM), as well as additional conditional GAM if certain performance-based metrics are met.

READ MORE: BIG READ: Alejandro Pozuelo's days in Toronto appear to be numbered

Pozuelo, the MLS MVP in 2020 with TFC, received a lot of praise from those at his former club who spoke to media on Thursday from the BMO Training Grounds leading up to Saturday’s match.

“Obviously [a] very good player, won the MVP for a reason, so it’s going to be tough to play against him,” said Richie Laryea, who spent three seasons alongside the Spaniard (2019 to 2021).

“He’s a competitor, he’s a good player. We know a lot of his tendencies, so hopefully we’re able to nullify him and make sure he has a quiet night. It’s going to be a tough matchup. We’re looking forward to the matchup and I’m sure he is as well, so it’ll be a good one.”

Pozuelo, who is out of contract at the end of the year, spent just over three seasons with Toronto, becoming a fan favourite. The Spanish playmaker originally arrived early into the 2019 campaign from Belgium’s Genk, and tallied 26 goals and 31 assists in 88 regular-season appearances with TFC.

He started off slow with Miami, contributing just one assist in his first five games with his new side, but has since rounded into form. Over the weekend, he scored twice and added an assist in a 3-2 win over New York City FC en route to being named the league’s Player of the Week.

Having coached him this season, Bradley is wary of the threat Pozuelo possesses but insists knowing his tendencies won’t necessarily give the Reds an upper hand.

“No, there’s no advantage,” said Bradley. “Players here respect him and know that if you give him time on the ball, if you’re not smart with the way you close him down, Ale's very two-footed in the way he can twist and maneuver with the ball. And so, you want to try to close him down in ways that doesn’t allow him to get away and have open lanes for making important passes."

As an example, Bradley pointed to Pozuelo’s goal against the Cityzens on Saturday.

"The first goal that he scored against NYCFC, he played a give-and-go, and NYCFC defended poorly and he was able to take the ball in the space inbetween the defenders and midfielders, and from that spot, we’ve all seen the way he likes to finish,” Bradley said. “So, you’ll understand some of the things that he’s good at, and just like in the last game, you understand what Carles Gil is all about and the importance that he plays in New England, so you always want to understand these things with those kinds of players.”

Toronto FC, unbeaten in their last five games (3W, 2D), travel to DRV PNK Stadium to take on a Miami team that’s also in good form. Phil Neville’s squad haven’t lost in their last four games (2W, 2D), including Saturday’s dramatic win over NYCFC.

As it stands, Toronto (11th) trail Miami (8th) by three points in the Eastern Conference table with eight matches remaining, meaning their fate may just rest in the hands of how well they perform against Pozuelo and co.

“With eight games, that’s all you’re thinking about, is the playoff push,” said Laryea. “I think with the playoffs in mind, I think all these games are finals at this point.”

TFC and Inter Miami will face off once more after Saturday, on the penultimate day of the season – September 30 in Toronto – with Pozuelo making his return to BMO Field.