Orlando City SC Triumphs Over Inter Miami CF
In a decisive matchup on Sunday night, Orlando City SC delivered an impressive performance, defeating Inter Miami CF 4-1 at home. The star of the night was Luis Muriel, who netted a goal in each half, while teammate Martín Ojeda contributed one goal and assisted another.
Impact of Lionel Messi’s Absence
The absence of Miami’s Lionel Messi, sidelined due to a leg injury incurred in a recent Leagues Cup game against Necaxa, was felt throughout the match. Without their star forward, Miami struggled to generate offensive threats despite an early equalizer from Yannick Bright, who scored his first professional goal just three minutes after Muriel’s opener in the second minute of play.
Key Moments of the Match
Muriel was able to restore Orlando’s lead in the 50th minute, utilizing an unassisted effort for his eighth goal of the season. Ojeda then amplified Orlando’s advantage by scoring in the 58th minute, marking his 14th goal of the current season. His remarkable consistency has also allowed him to set a club record for contributions, reaching a total of 27 this season.
Marco Pašalić capped off the scoring for the night with an unassisted goal in the 88th minute, bringing his tally to ten in his debut season with the team. Meanwhile, Pedro Gallese played a critical role in goal for Orlando, registering four saves, while Inter Miami’s Óscar Ustari faced a barrage of shots, making eight saves yet ultimately unable to prevent the defeat.
Standings and Upcoming Matches
The win propels Orlando City up to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, putting head coach Oscar Pareja within one win of his 100th career victory. Inter Miami remains in sixth place but holds three games in hand over the top four teams and two over Columbus Crew, currently fifth.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will face the LA Galaxy next Saturday, while Orlando City prepares to take on Sporting Kansas City at their home ground.
