da cassino： The Herons survived without the team's three biggest stars, escaping Canada with three points in hand.

da realsbet： Who needs Lionel Messi when you have Robert Taylor?

Just kidding, obviously. There's no replacing the Argentine icon. But, in the moments when he doesn't play, and there will be many, someone needs to step up. On Saturday night in Vancouver, it was Taylor.

The Finnish winger provided a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win over the Whitecaps, helping a shorthanded Inter Miami overcome a trio of star absences. Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez didn't make the long trip to Canada, but Miami were just fine, largely due to Taylor.

He scored the opener: a fantastic curled effort that few goalkeepers in the league could have stopped. Taylor then set up the second, teeing up Leo Campana, who continues his recent run of good form with a key goal.

Miami won't always survive without Messi. In fact, most games will be something of a coin flip when they're without their star. On Saturday, though, Taylor made sure that the coin landed their way, – earning them three big road points in a match few would have expected them to win.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from BC Place…

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Drake Callender (6/10):

Got close on the penalty kick after not being threatened at any time prior. Had to make one save late, but didn't have too much of an impact otherwise.

Jordi Alba (8/10):

Provided the assist on Taylor's goal, but all credit to the winger for that. Outside of that, though, Alba was super, super dangerous and could have easily created another goal or two for himself or a teammate.

Serhiy Kryvtsov (7/10):

Solid as can be. Shut down a few possible chances for the Whitecaps, preventing them from doing much of anything.

Tomas Aviles (5/10):

Had a few iffy moments, headlined by the penalty he conceded with Miami in cruise control. He'd been very steady in recent weeks, so this felt like a step back.

Marcelo Weigandt (6/10):

Did okay at just about everything, but was spectacular at just about nothing.

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Julian Gressel (6/10):

Created a few half chances against his former club. Never really created the big one, though.

Yannick Bright (7/10):

Really stepped up with Busquets out. He isn't the ex-Barcelona star but, then again, few are. He played his game well, though, fighting hard in the middle of the field to make sure Miami survived without Busquets in the XI.

Benjamin Cremaschi (6/10):

Had a fantastic start to the game but faded just a little bit as the game wore on before being taken off in the 65th minute.

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Robert Taylor (9/10):

A humungous performance that felt like a 2023 throwback. In the early months of this Messi era, Taylor was an unstoppable force. He was the same on Saturday, making sure his side survived without the club's two attacking stars.

Leo Campana (8/10):

How many teams could use Campana in their XI? Miami have him as a backup, and how lucky they are. Another big finish from a player who has so much to offer this team.

Matias Rojas (6/10):

He was overshadowed by his two attacking teammates, but there's no shame in that. Had an early chance at goal that was pushed away and was otherwise decent enough.

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Federico Redondo (6/10):

A long-awaited return. When healthy, he's the ideal Busquets understudy, but it's been weeks since he's been healthy. A good 35-minute runout to help the young midfield star inch closer to full fitness.

David Ruiz (N/A):

Replaced Rojas for the final 10 minutes or so to help Miami kill the game. Barely touched the ball, but that wasn't what he was out there for, was it?

Leo Afonso (N/A):
A very, very late sub to help the Herons see things out.

Tata Martino (8/10):

All credit to the coach, who somehow got this team ready to play without three icons of the game. It helps when players like Taylor step up, but you have to praise Martino's tactics and coaching to make sure the performance levels didn't drop without Messi and friends.