By
Florida Remains Purple
The Florida Derby took to the bright lights of Apple TV's Sunday Night Soccer with Inter Miami CF looking to get a win at Inter&Co Stadium, a place that has been nearly impossible for them to win at. They would face Orlando City without Lionel Messi who's still nursing a hamstring injury. Both Florida clubs return to league play after advancing to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup with Miami set to face Tigres and Orlando set to face Toluca. The two rivals could face each other in the semifinals with Orlando already having an edge with a 3-0 win over the Herons earlier in the season at Chase Stadium.
Orlando City was straight business getting on the scoresheet just two minutes into the match with a beautiful buildup play. Luis Muriel with a beautiful first touch off of a great through ball fought off Ian Fray nutmegging Oscar Ustari who returned to the Miami lineup to put the Lions up 1-0 just two minutes in.
Miami would not go down so easily with Yannick Bright hitting a volley just three minutes later past Pedro Gallese to equalize the match 1-1. From this moment on the game stayed level but it was evident that Orlando had all the time and space in the world to make something happen in which they could've easily scored six or seven.
Things remained knotted up going into the break despite Muriel catching Ustari off of his line hitting a volley from midfield and would hit off the post. It didn't take long for Orlando to regain the lead with Muriel once again scoring giving them the 2-1 lead in the 50th minute. Martin Ojeda would double that in the 58th minute making it a 3-1 lead for the Lions.
Luis Suarez who had about 10 touches in this game almost brought one back for Miami trying a shot from midfield but an incredible save from Gallese kept the match at 3-1. Miami's attack continues to suffer without Messi on the field with Allende, Suarez, and Segovia not finding much. Suarez had a clear disagreement on the field with Fafa Picault that was noted by many pundits as well as the late changes by Javier Mascherano.
Marco Pasalic put the dagger in the heart for Orlando making it 4-1 with the Iron Lion Firm chanting goodbye to their rivals. Orlando City defeats Inter Miami CF 4-1 completing a season sweep in league play as well as jumping Miami in the Eastern Conference table. Orlando now sits 4th in the conference with Miami falling all the way to 6th although the points remain very tight.
Next up for Inter Miami CF is a home match welcoming the Los Angeles Galaxy to Chase Stadium.
Written by: Daniel Torres
Post a Comment