Inter Miami suffered a cruel defeat in the MLS is Back tournament opener against Florida rivals Orlando City.
The hosts came out on top in the first ever ‘Sunshine Clasico’ and what was a lively encounter given the circumstances, players getting their first taste of competitive action since March.
Juan Agudelo opened the scoring in the Group A matchup, finding the net for Miami two minutes into the second half, but Chris Mueller levelled for Orlando 20 minutes from time.
That looked to to be that but seven minutes from time, Nani fired a loose ball into Luis Robles’ net to take all three points and to deal a cruel blow to their state rivals in a game that not only counts towards the MLS is Back competition, but to the Eastern Conference standings as well.
Inter Miami created the game’s first real opportunity, Mathias Pellegrini showing his ability down the left before whipping in a perfect ball to the near post to find Juan Agudelo.
The experienced frontman stretched to latch onto the low cross but could only direct it wide. He should have done better.
Diego Alonso’s men kept Orlando at bay for the first 20 minutes or so, frustrating star man Nani, who dropped into his own defense on a number of occasions in a bid to get involved.
Players take a knee ahead of kick-off as part of the Black Players for Change initiative. (Credit: MLS Soccer)
The hosts did manage to create one good chance within the first half-hour, though. Dom Dwyer burst through on goal only to be thwarted by a terrific low save from Luis Robles, reaching down low to his left.
Beyond the one good opportunity apiece, there was little to write home about from the first half, barring a Hand of God attempt from Ben Sweat that – unlike Maradona – got him a yellow card and not a goal.
The second half, however, started with a bang, the Herons taking the lead within two minutes of the restart.
A quickly taken diagonal free-kick led to a neat exchange on the far side between Lewis Morgan and Nealis. The latter played a ball into the box before Pellegriui laid the ball off to Victor Ulloa.
Ulloa fizzed a one across goal and this time, Agudelo didn’t pass up the opportunity, turning the ball home from close range.
Joyous scenes for the Herons, but celebration was soon replaced by concern after Andre Reyes was stretchered off, the defender taking a stray elbow to the throat from Dwyer.
Rodolfo Pizarro (Credit: MLS Soccer)
Designated player Rodolfo Pizarro – who was a surprise omission from the starting XI – was his replacement.
Though, the Herons couldn’t kick on from the change, Orlando City instead getting themselves back into the game with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Nealis – who impressed for the most part – failed to stop a Nani cross on the far side and the Portuguese winger did what he does best in delivering a fine cross across the box. Chris Mueller got in at the back post and levelled the score.
A disruptive period followed amid as both Diego Alonso and Oscar Pareja wrung the changes but Inter stepped it up late on.
Jay Chapman came close to finding a winner, heading just over from a corner in a dominant spell for the Herons.
Orlando City celebrate (Credit: MLS Soccer)
But as they chased a winner, Inter were to concede the decisive goal seven minutes into the 10 added on.
Ben Sweat failed to deal with a ball into the box and Nani was given the perfect opportunity to take all three points – he obliged, leaving almost no time on the clock for a response.
A huge win to kick off the tournament for the hosts but a crushing blow for Miami which has now lost its first three competitive games.
Miami’s next MLS is Back game is scheduled to be against Chicago Fire on July 14, while Orlando City will take on New York City FC on July 15
Orlando City SC
Inter Miami CF
