VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Robert Taylor scored a first-half goal and picked up an assist on Leo Campana's netter in the second half and Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Saturday night, despite missing superstar Lionel Messi along with high-scoring Luis Suárez and midfielder Sergio Busquets.
Taylor scored for the third time this season when he used an assist from Jordi Alba to find the net in the 38th minute, giving Inter Miami (10-2-4) a 1-0 lead at halftime.
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Andy Lam, who traveled from Hong Kong to see Inter Miami's Lionel Messi play against the Vancouver Whitecaps, holds a sign outside the stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Miami coach Tata Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep the 36-year-old World Cup-winning superstar - as well as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets - in Florida because of a busy upcoming schedule that will see the team play at home on Wednesday and Saturday of next week. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Andy Lam, who traveled from Hong Kong to see Inter Miami's Lionel Messi play against the Vancouver Whitecaps, holds a sign outside the stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Miami coach Tata Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep the 36-year-old World Cup-winning superstar - as well as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets - in Florida because of a busy upcoming schedule that will see the team play at home on Wednesday and Saturday of next week. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
A young fan holds a sign before the Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami play an MLS soccer match n Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Miami head coach Tata Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep Lionel Messi - as well as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets - in Florida because of a busy upcoming schedule that will see the team play at home Wednesday and Saturday of next week. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Inter Miami's Serhiy Kryvtsov vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Inter Miami's Serhiy Kryvtsov vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, center, kicks the ball past Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda, right, and Ranko Veselinovic, front left, for a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver, on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, right, and Matias Rojas celebrate Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, right, and Matias Rojas, left, celebrate after Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, right, and Matias Rojas celebrate Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, left, and Inter Miami's Marcelo Weigandt vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, left, and Leonardo Campana, center, celebrate after Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps as teammate Matias Rojas, right, watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, front right, looks at the ball in the back of the net after allowing a goal to Inter Miami's Robert Taylor during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, right, and Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, front, and Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender allows a goal to Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld on a penalty shot during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) runs with the ball past Inter Miami's Yannick Bright (42) after scoring on a penalty kick during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender allows a goal to Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld on a penalty shot during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender walks to retrieve the ball after it went out of play during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld scores on a penalty kick against Inter Miami during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ranko Veselinovic, right, and Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The ball bounces off the post behind Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender and stays out of the net on a Vancouver Whitecaps shot during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini blows a bubble as he watches from the sideline during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against Inter Miami on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring, as Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, foreground, walks away during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, left, reacts on the sideline as Robert Taylor watches during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Julian Gressel, right, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Taylor notched his assist in the 54th minute when Campana scored his fourth goal of the season for a two-goal advantage.
The Whitecaps (5-5-4) avoided the shutout when Ryan Gauld scored unassisted in the 72nd minute. It was Gauld's fifth goal.
Drake Callender saved one shot and wasn't tested in the scoreless first half for Inter Miami.
Yohei Takaoka finished with four saves for Vancouver, all in the first half.
Vancouver fans voiced their displeasure on social media after Inter Miami announced earlier in the week that the trio would not be making the trip out West. Miami coach Gerardo (Tata) Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep the 36-year-old Messi — as well Suarez, 37, and Busquets, 35, in Florida because of upcoming home matches on Wednesday and Saturday next week.
It was a tough turn of events for the Whitecaps, who were expecting a record crowd of more than 50,000.
“Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent, and it was important for us to communicate to our fans as soon as possible,“ Vancouver CEO Axel Schuster said in a statement on Thursday.
The Whitecaps offered fans a free ticket to a future match as well as 50% off food and beverages and free kids' meals for anyone under 18 during the match.
Inter Miami will host Atlanta United on Wednesday. Vancouver travels to play Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport
Andy Lam, who traveled from Hong Kong to see Inter Miami's Lionel Messi play against the Vancouver Whitecaps, holds a sign outside the stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Miami coach Tata Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep the 36-year-old World Cup-winning superstar - as well as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets - in Florida because of a busy upcoming schedule that will see the team play at home on Wednesday and Saturday of next week. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Andy Lam, who traveled from Hong Kong to see Inter Miami's Lionel Messi play against the Vancouver Whitecaps, holds a sign outside the stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Miami coach Tata Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep the 36-year-old World Cup-winning superstar - as well as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets - in Florida because of a busy upcoming schedule that will see the team play at home on Wednesday and Saturday of next week. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
A young fan holds a sign before the Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami play an MLS soccer match n Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, May 25, 2024. Miami head coach Tata Martino told reporters Friday that the club opted to keep Lionel Messi - as well as Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets - in Florida because of a busy upcoming schedule that will see the team play at home Wednesday and Saturday of next week. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Inter Miami's Serhiy Kryvtsov vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, left, and Inter Miami's Serhiy Kryvtsov vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, center, kicks the ball past Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda, right, and Ranko Veselinovic, front left, for a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver, on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, right, and Matias Rojas celebrate Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, right, and Matias Rojas, left, celebrate after Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, right, and Matias Rojas celebrate Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, left, and Inter Miami's Marcelo Weigandt vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Robert Taylor, left, and Leonardo Campana, center, celebrate after Taylor's goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps as teammate Matias Rojas, right, watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, front right, looks at the ball in the back of the net after allowing a goal to Inter Miami's Robert Taylor during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, right, and Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Fafa Picault, front, and Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender allows a goal to Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld on a penalty shot during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) runs with the ball past Inter Miami's Yannick Bright (42) after scoring on a penalty kick during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender allows a goal to Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld on a penalty shot during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender walks to retrieve the ball after it went out of play during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld scores on a penalty kick against Inter Miami during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Ranko Veselinovic, right, and Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
The ball bounces off the post behind Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender and stays out of the net on a Vancouver Whitecaps shot during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini blows a bubble as he watches from the sideline during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against Inter Miami on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Leonardo Campana (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring, as Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed, foreground, walks away during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, left, reacts on the sideline as Robert Taylor watches during the second half of the team's MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Inter Miami's Julian Gressel, right, and Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed vie for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
