Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: Five Takeaways

Orlando City reminded us that it is the hope that kills you in a 4-2 loss at home to Inter Miami Sunday night. The Lions went up by two goals in the first half only to allow Miami to score four in the second half and ended the match a man down. It was once again a tale of two halves for Orlando City, though this time the Lions were better in the first half than in the second.

Here is what I took away from the second straight loss to start the season.

Bad Pasalic, Good Pasalic

If I’m being honest, Marco Pasalic started this match where he left off against the New York Red Bulls — bad. He wasn’t connecting on any crosses nor was he passing well. Despite over-cooking crosses to Ivan Angulo, Angulo decided to show him how it is done. The winger stole the ball, moved up field, and then crossed it along the top of the box to Pasalic. The Croatian used his favored left foot to bring the ball down in front of him, and then with the second touch put it in the back of the net to give Orlando City a 1-0 lead. It was just what he needed to get his head straight after last week.

Twice as Nice

Orlando City currently has two Designated Players, Pasalic and Martin Ojeda. Pasalic scored his first goal of the season and Ojeda couldn’t let him be the only one. Fortunately, Orlando City’s new right back, Griffin Dorsey, helped him. Dorsey brought the ball from the wing to the top of the box, dropped it off for Ojeda, and when Ojeda gave it back, he gave the ball the smallest tap to return it for Ojeda to score the second goal. It was good awareness from both players and a deft outside-of-the-foot shot by Ojeda.

Second Half Woes

Inter Miami made a halftime adjustment by bringing on Mateo Silvetti and going three at the back. After doing so, the Herons were able to better control the ball in the attacking half. Silvetti brought an energy to the pitch, and then he scored Miami’s first goal. Maxime Crepeau’s vision was blocked by his defenders and he reacted late to the shot. To be fair, I’m not certain he had a chance at it regardless. Then, Messi made it two. Orlando City had several players behind the ball but were unable to clear, and you can’t give Messi that much of an opportunity.

Mixed Bag Maxime

Maxime Crepeau was our Man of the Match against the New York Red Bulls, and he made an argument for a second in a row in the first half. He came up huge with three very difficult saves in the first half, including denying Lionel Messi one on one. There wasn’t much he could do on Miami’s first two goals in the second half. We knew that his passing and distribution was a point of concern when Orlando City brought him on, and that was the case against Miami. He did have a chance to stop the last goal, but it went under his outstretched arms.

Cardiac Cats Collapse

Orlando City did not give up after conceding the two goals. The team still pressed the attack but was unable to find the back of the net. Then David Brekalo had a defensive breakdown that allowed Miami to get the winning goal. As the Lions pushed to equalize, Orlando turned it over at midfield and Colin Guske was forced to foul Messi. That foul was his second yellow, and he was sent off. Messi scored on the following free kick. Giving up points after being ahead by two goals stinks. Losing by two goals after being ahead by two goals is way worse.

That is what I saw in Orlando City’s 4-2 loss to Inter Miami. It was a disappointing, if not unexpected, result. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.