Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: Photo Gallery

Orlando City hosted that team from somewhere south in the flagship game of the MLS week, and the match did not disappoint. In a well-fought game that felt closer than 4-1 (from the end line, anyway), the Lions claimed a season sweep over Inter Miami. All three Designated Players contributed on the scoresheet, as the Orlando scoring machine is again firing on all cylinders. This game had it all, including exquisite midfield shots from both teams and some great saves from both goalkeepers.

Orlando came out swinging, pressing hard and opening the scoring in the second minute on a well-timed through ball from Martín Ojeda to Luis Muriel. Unfortunately, the Lions conceded in the fifth minute on a well-taken volley by Yannick Bright after Eduard Atuesta’s clearance just outside the 18-yard box. It was a fantastic volley, with Marco Pasalic unable to stay with the opposition’s midfielder. Later in the half, Muriel caught Óscar Ustari sweeping and took a phenomenal full volley shot from midfield at an open net but hit the post.

Orlando came out in the second half with the same intensity to regain and then extend the lead. Muriel took a short corner and dribbled into a blind alley, but the Colombian put Jordi Alba in a blender and took a well-placed shot from a tight angle, beating Ustari inside the far post in the 50th minute. Then, in the 58th minute, Muriel sent Ojeda forward to the right corner of the box. The Argentine beat Sergio Busquets and sent a hard, low shot between Ustari and the near post, catching the Miami goalkeeper off guard to make it 3-1.

Luis Suárez, seeing Muriel’s midfield attempt, placed a 50-yard shot of his own perfectly in the upper corner, but Pedro Gallese recovered in time for a spectacular punch save. Finally, as the game was winding down, Alex Freeman chipped Marco Pašalić in behind the defense but Ustari made a great save on the Croatian’s initial shot. Pašalić apparently really wanted in on the scoring, however, so he picked up his own rebound and snuck a second shot around the recovered defender and just inside the far post in the 88th minute to put an exclamation point on the game.

We hope you enjoy the photos of an exciting rivalry game and a memorable sweep of the Herons. Orlando is next in action on Saturday, hosting Sporting Kansas City.