Photo Galleries
Orlando City vs. Inter Miami: Photo Gallery
An album of images from Orlando City’s 4-2 home loss to the Herons.
In a reversal of Orlando City’s game on opening night, the Lions outplayed their visitors on Sunday for the opening 45 minutes, only to be undone in the second half. Turnovers in the defensive end and lapses in marking let Inter Miami climb out of a 2-0 hole and ultimately win 4-2, marking the first time the Herons have taken all three points out of Orlando.
While much has been made of Miami’s three previous trips that Lionel Messi skipped, the Argentine legend made the trip this time and his presence was felt, particularly in the second half, when he scored twice and set up a goal in the comeback. Only one pitch invader marred events, and that came late in the match.
Orlando City fans will fondly remember the first half, as the Lions appeared on their way to another regular-season win over their rivals when Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda powered the team to a two-goal lead inside the first half an hour. Maxime Crepeau made some excellent stops to preserve that lead into the half, despite playing behind two first-time MLS starters along the back line in Nolan Miller and Tahir Reid-Brown.
On the other side of halftime, substitute Matteo Silvetti pulled Miami back into the game after a defensive third giveaway and no one close enough to close down his blast from outside the area. Dayne St. Clair kept the Orlando lead from growing again at the other end of the pitch, and disaster struck when Messi scored the equalizer and Miller went down with an injury, requiring Iago to replace him.
Orlando City was unable to break out much in the second half once Miami pulled level, although St. Clair made a vital stop on Pasalic before the Croatian departed late in the game for fresher legs. Miami then scored the winner late when David Brekalo’s slip allowed a quick transition goal. Messi squashed hopes of an equalizer with a 90th-minute free kick goal, and the Lions fell for the second game to open the season.
Despite the result, Inter&Co Stadium was electric on Sunday night. We hope you enjoy these images from the match and that they bring to life some of the buzz that those in attendance felt until those fateful final minutes.
Images: Dan MacDonald
Words: Michael Citro