Inter Miami secured its first ever Major League Soccer win with victory over Florida state rivals Orlando City on Saturday night.
A brace from Julian Carranza and a measured finish from Rodolfo Pizarro ensured Diego Alonso’s men got their first three points in the second ever ‘Sunshine Clasico’, winning 3-2.
Miami had gone five games without picking up a single point to start life in MLS, losing every game across regular season and MLSisBack competition.
But they looked a much-improved outfit against rivals Orlando City in their first-ever MLS home outing, securing a crucial win with a largely impressive display and providing plenty of hope to supporters even without new signing Blaise Matuidi.
Inter were quick out of the blocks, threatening from early on through Lewis Morgan down the right.
In fact, it took the Herons just 11 minutes to take the lead. Rodolfo Pizarro charged deep into Orlando City territory before sliding in Julian Carranza.
The Argentine drove a powerful effort low inside Pedro Gallese’s near post, handing the home side a deserved early lead.
These bring us joy ? pic.twitter.com/Wa2Gy8tQ5u
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 23, 2020
But it didn’t last with Orlando City’s young striker Daryl Dike forcing a leveller following an unstoppable run.
Dike broke free before taking aim from an angle, forcing Joel Robles into an impressive save.
But the 20-year-old refused to take no for an answer, trying a second and then a third time before the ball deflected into the back of Miami’s net.
It was a goal from nothing, but Inter ensured the scoreline once again reflected their early efforts by retaking the lead within five minutes of conceding the opener.
The Herons put together some nice build-up play before Ben Sweat delivered a teasing cross to the back post to find Carranza.
The Argentine managed showed tremendous athleticism to get the right side of the ball, guiding a looping header into the far post and netting his second of the game.
23′ | GOAL!@carranzajuli21 gets his brace!#MIAvORL | 2-1 pic.twitter.com/9ChOzVCHQN
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 23, 2020
That was enough to see Inter Miami into a deserved lead at the break, and they doubled that lead within four minutes of the restart.
Pizarro added a goal to his first-half assist, guiding a cross into the bottom right corner with a measured finish following a flick-on at the front post.
And just moment later, he almost made it four, only the post standing in his way following a sensational right-footed effort from the far side of the penalty area.
The second-half lacked intensity, in truth, with Miami looking comfortable for the most part, or at last until the 80th minute when substitute Chris Mueller crossed for Nani to convert a diving header at the back post.
It made for a nervy final 10 minutes for the hosts, but – thanks to the crossbar, which denied Nani in injury time – they managed to see out the win, the first competitive victory in the franchise’s history, Inter exacting revenge for their Sunshine Clasico defeat to Orlando in the MLSisBack tournament.
.@Rpizarrot knows how to celebrate. pic.twitter.com/hqKzHgqPHi
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 23, 2020
The win also means the Herons are 1-0 at home having played all of their games leading up to this one on the road.
And that’s something Alonso will be delighted with as he prepares to welcome World Cup-winner Matuidi into his starting XI.
Next up, the Herons take on Atlanta United at home on Wednesday night before taking on fellow expansion club Nashville SC on Monday, August 31st.
