Inter Miami fan favorite Robert Taylor returns for Nu Stadium debut | OneFootball

How great would it be to see Robert Taylor on the pitch tonight at Nu Stadium?

Austin FC plays Inter Miami CF at 7:30 p.m. ET in the first match to be played at the Herons' shiny new home, which cost $350 million and seats 26,700 fans. For the first six seasons in Major League Soccer, Los Garzas played home matches in Fort Lauderdale in a facility built on the site of historic Lockhart stadium. (Tonight's match should put an end to opposing fans' "Inter Lauderdale" jibes; let's face it, they stung because they were true.)

But, back to Taylor: His energy on and off the ball, attacking quality, defensive pressure and commitment made him a fan favorite during his three-plus years wearing the Pink & Black, but a hamstring injury could keep him off the pitch tonight. Austin FC's player availability report released Friday didn't rule Taylor out for the match, but he's missed four straight after hurting his leg against Minnesota in Los Verde's season opener. If he sees the pitch at all, it won't be for long.

The Finnish Flash scored 18 goals and dished out 18 assists in 116 appearances for Inter Miami. He's tied with Sergio Busquets for most appearances for the Herons, fourth on the assist list behind legends Lionel Messi (44), Jordi Alba (33) and Luis Suárez (29), and sixth in goals scored behind Messi (82), Suárez (42), Leonardo Campana (32), Gonzalo Higuaín (29) and Tadeo Allende (24).

Taylor signed with Inter Miami in the chaotic 2022 off season; MLS financial sanctions for rules violations forced the Herons to conduct a major overhaul of its roster to reduce its salary spending. (That 2022 team of wannabes, has-beens, and never-weres will always have a special place in my heart). The versatile forward played a career-high 2,557 minutes and contributed three goals and five assists on a rag-tag squad that squeaked into MLS Cup competition.

In 2023, Taylor appeared in 40 matches and tallied eight goals and nine assists. Messi, Busquets and Alba joined the squad that summer. The former Barcelona stars' addition wasn't enough to return the stripped-down Herons' roster -- necessary cuts to afford Messi & Friends -- to the playoffs, but Inter Miami did win its first major trophy, the Leagues Cup, thanks to Messi and the most productive stretch of Taylor's career. In seven matches, Taylor scored four goals and added five assists.

Lionel Messi rushes to celebrate with Robert Taylor after the pair combined for a goal against Atlanta United in the 2023 Leagues Cup tournament. | Megan Briggs/GettyImages

Taylor's production dipped slightly in 2024, when he made 32 appearances and added six goals and four assists in fewer than 2,000 minutes. The Herons acquired Suárez, another former Barca player, and young South American talent including midfielder Diego Gomez.

"Being on the bench on this team doesn’t affect me in negative ways because you look at the squad that’s starting and you just hold your hands up and say, `Look, those are all amazing players on the field,’” Taylor said in an interview with Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald in July 2024. “Diego Gomez is playing in my position now, left wing, and he’s playing unbelievable football. There’s no point in me sitting on the bench and being mad or complaining because he deserves the spot 100 percent."

Despite his reduced role, the Herons' front office respected Taylor's talent and professionalism. The Kaufman interview came after Inter Miami signed the Finnish international to a two-year contract extension through 2026, with an option for 2027; his commitment to the Pink was such that, before the contract extension, he declined an invitation to the Finnish national team in 2024 to be available for Inter Miami. It was a surprise when the club traded him to Austin in April 2025.

Injuried have plagued Taylor during his time with Los Verde; he's appeared in just 22 matches and played fewer than 600 minutes; he's scored just once for Austin. But, at 31, Taylor still could be a quality scorer in MLS. Given his attitude and work ethic, I wouldn't bet against it.

If he makes the field tonight, stand and applaud. In my heart, he always will be a Heron, slashing in from the left and blasting a shot on goal or nudging a pass to a teammate. Robi Taylor deserves our appreciation and respect. Please make him welcome.