Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: Player Grades and Man of the Match

Orlando City welcomed its South Florida rival to The City Beautiful and had one of its best games of the season, dominating Inter Miami 4-1. Luis Muriel netted a brace and Martin Ojeda had a goal and an assist as the Lions claimed a huge three points, moving up to fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Let’s take a look at the individual performance in this very satisfying win.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 7 — Gallese didn’t have a whole lot to do in this game, but stood tall when called upon. The only concession was a Yannick Bright volley in the fifth minute that he couldn’t do much to stop. In the 67th minute, Luis Suarez tried to chip the goalkeeper off his line. Gallese did well to get back to the ball and punch it over the top. In the 83rd minute, Fafa Picault was sent through and Gallese came off his line to block the attempt.

Overall, Gallese saved four of the five shots he faced. He touched the ball 18 times and completed 75% of his 12 passes, including four of his seven long balls. It was a solid night and a hard-fought win for the Lions’ shot stopper.

D, David Brekalo, 6 — Brekalo took his usual position at left back, touching the ball 60 times. He completed 84% of his 50 passes and one of his four long balls. Defensively, he recorded a tackle, an interception, and four clearances. He didn’t contribute anything offensively, but he was a factor in Miami only taking two shots from inside the box.

D, Robin Jansson, 6 — Jansson captained the team again, touching the ball just 39 times. He completed 93.3% of his 30 passes, including both of his long ball attempts. His involvement in the buildup of Ojeda’s goal earned him an assist. Defensively, he recorded a tackle, five clearances, and an aerial ball won in a somewhat calmer night for the center back. He also took a shot and was booked.

D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 7 — Schlegel was the more active center back in this game, touching the ball 65 times and completing 92% of his 50 passes, including one of his two long balls. He recorded four tackles, two interceptions, six clearances, and two aerials won in one of his best performances this season. He even forced Oscar Ustari into a save with a shot on target.

D, Alex Freeman, 6.5 — Freeman was the starting right back in this game, touching the ball 51 times. He completed 83.8% of his 37 passes, including two key passes and three of his four long balls. Going forward, he put one of his three shots on target. His best chance to score was in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when he made a good run to beat Noah Allen and create space for a shot. But he sent the attempt straight to Ustari. Defensively, he added three tackles, a clearance, and two aerial balls won.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 6.5 — Starting on the left side of the midfield, Angulo had 63 touches and completed 87.2% of his 39 passes, but neither of his two crosses. While he put one of his two shots on target, it was defensively where he shined in this game. The midfielder used his speed to thwart the Miami attack on multiple occasions, winning the ball back in the Orlando City third of the field. On the defensive end, he recorded two tackles, two interceptions, and three clearances. The hard-working Angulo came off in the 90th minute, replaced by Tyrese Spicer.

MF, Cesar Araujo, 6.5 —  Araujo had a team-high 89 touches in this game, completing 92% of his team-high 75 passes, including five of his seven long balls. He didn’t do much offensively but contributed defensively with three tackles, a clearance, and a blocked shot. Overall, it was the type of solid performance Orlando City fans have become used to from the Uruguayan. Unfortunately, he was booked breaking up a counterattack and he’ll miss the Lions’ next game due to suspension.

MF, Eduard Atuesta, 6 — Atuesta also did his part in the defensive midfield in this game, touching the ball 63 times and completing 89.4% of his 47 passes. He had an interception, two clearances, and a blocked shot defensively, while winning a team-high three aerial balls. He came off for Kyle Smith in the 84th minute after a solid performance.

MF, Marco Pasalic, 7 — Pasalic had 42 touches in this game, completing 87% of his 23 passes, including a key pass, one of his four crosses, and two of his four long balls. He put two of his three shots on target, with both coming on the same play. He hit the post in the 82nd minute, making up for it in the 88th minute. The attacker forced Ustari into a save before collecting the rebound and creating a second chance. This time, he guided the ball into the corner for his team’s fourth goal of the night. The attacker also added a late clearance as the Lions saw out the game. Immediately after his goal, Pasalic was replaced by Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.

F, Martin Ojeda, 7.5 — Ojeda was great in this game, touching the ball 60 times. He completed 94.7% of his 38 passes, including four key passes, two of his six crosses, and all four long balls. Most everything went through the attacker. He assisted the opening goal in the second minute with a beautiful ball and scored in the 58th minute. The forward should’ve had a goal in the 54th minute when his first shot was blocked by Ustari right back to him. Ojeda could’ve passed it in, but sent the attempt over the top instead. Of course, he made up for it four minutes later, albeit with some help from Ustari’s poor goalkeeping. In addition to his distribution, he put three of his six shots on target, including his goal. 

F, Luis Muriel, 8 (MotM) — There’s little question about Man of the Match in this game as Muriel followed up with a hat trick against Necaxa with a brace against Miami. And it was nearly a second consecutive hat trick. He started the game off quickly by scoring in the second minute before giving his team a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute. He also assisted Ojeda’s 58th-minute goal to put his stamp on the game. He nearly scored the goal of the game in the 20th minute when he volleyed a poor Ustari clearance from near midfield. Everyone watched with bated breath as the ball rolled toward the corner of the goal. Unfortunately, it hit the outside of the post.

In all, Muriel touched the ball 32 times and completed 81.3% of his 16 passes, including three key passes and one of his two long balls. He put four of his five shots on target — both team highs in the game. Defensively, he added three tackles before being replaced by Ramiro Enrique in the 82nd minute.

Substitutes

F, Ramiro Enrique (82’), 5.5 — Enrique entered the game for a clearly exhausted Muriel in the 82nd minute. He had five touches and completed three of his four passes, all of which were short. He didn’t take any shots or record any defensive stats, but he chased Miami around the pitch to see out the game.

MF, Kyle Smith (84’), 6 — Smith entered the game in the 84th minute for Atuesta, taking over in the defensive midfield. He had 15 touches and completed 92.9% of his 14 passes, including a key pass and one of his two long balls. The versatile player also recorded a clearance as the game wound down.

D, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (90’), N/A — Thorhallsson came on for Pasalic immediately after his goal, touching the ball six times. He completed 80% of his five passes, his only stats of his short appearance.

MF, Tyrese Spicer (90’), N/A — It was an Orlando City debut for Spicer, coming on for Angulo in the 90th minute. The newbie had five touches and completed both of his passes, including a key pass. He showed some of his skill in the second minute of stoppage time, intercepting a pass, avoiding a defender, and setting up a good scoring chance for Ojeda. Despite a promising (but brief) appearance, he didn’t have enough time on the pitch to earn a grade.

That’s how I saw the individual performances in Orlando City’s 4-1 win over its in-state rivals. Let us know how you saw the game in the comments below and don’t forget to vote on your Man of the Match.