What Went Wrong for Messi and Miami in Their Latest Florida Derby?

Inter Miami's struggles continued this week as they faced a disheartening defeat against Orlando City, resulting in a 3-0 loss during the much-anticipated Florida derby. With Lionel Messi on the pitch, the team had hoped for a resurgence; instead, they found themselves falling further into the pit of underperformance.

The defeat leaves Inter Miami with just one win in their last seven outings across all competitions, a stark contrast to the lofty expectations set when Messi joined the club. This result now places Miami sixth in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando City, buoyed by this victory, has moved up the table.

The match began ominously for Miami, as Orlando took the lead just before half-time. A long ball from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese found striker Luis Muriel, who easily slipped past Miami's defence and converted, placing early pressure on the Herons. Despite the home side maintaining 62% possession and attempting 21 shots—outshooting Orlando—crucial chances were squandered, leaving Miami fans disheartened.

After the break, the situation worsened for Miami as Marco Pašalić capitalised on a defensive error by the veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. The second goal, a low shot that slipped through Ustari's legs, signified the team's struggles, as they have conceded an alarming 20 goals in their last seven games. The final nail in the coffin came when Dagur Thorhallsson added Orlando's third goal in stoppage time, solidifying a comprehensive showing for the visitors.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano sought to shake things up by introducing more attacking players late in the game, but nothing seemed to penetrate an Orlando defence that has been in formidable form lately. The Lions have now extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches, a testament to their growing cohesion under coach Oscar Pareja.

The contrast in form is stark; while Orlando appears to have found their rhythm, Miami seems to be grappling with consistency. Messi, who played the entire match, managed only two shots on target, a symbol of the limited impact he has been able to exert as the team struggles to find its footing. The frustration is palpable, not just for Messi but for the entire fanbase watching their team falter week after week.

For Inter Miami, the pressure mounts as they face critical matches ahead. The question now arises—can they turn their fortunes around before the season slips entirely out of reach? With continued defensive lapses and a lack of clinical finishing, it becomes increasingly difficult to see how this can occur without significant changes on the pitch.

As fans rally behind their team, the hope remains that brighter days may be just around the corner. What changes do you think Inter Miami should make to revive their season? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

• Inter Miami
• Lionel Messi
• Orlando City

X talks about this news