FT LAUDERDALE – Inter Miami CF (1-5-0, 3 points) won their first match with a 3-2 victory over Orlando City SC (2-2-2, 8 points) in their home debut at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
Miami benefitted from a brace from Julian Carranza with two early first-half goals.
In the 12th minute, Carranza took a Rodolfo Pizarro pass on a counter attach and put it in tot he near post for the finish.
Orlando rookie forward Daryl Dike scored his debut goal for the Lions in the 18th minute with a second effort after his first shot was blocked by Miami goalkeeper Luis Robles. Dike found the second chance and blasted it past Robles on a deflection ro equalize the match.
Miami Superstar Rodolfo Pizarro added the winning goal in the second half, with a volley from the center area in the 49th minute. Pizarro, ever the showman, ran into the stands and posed for a photograph with a cardboard cutout fan.
The never-quit Lions were not done. They developed a reputation for their never say die attitude in the Tournament, and Nani worked some of his magic with a score in the 80th minute.
Coming off of a surprising performance in the MLS is Back Tournament where Orlando worked their way into the final match before falling th the Portland Timbers, but in this match, their opening energy and sharpness wasn’t the same.
“Tonight’s game we’ll go with the sour of knowing we weren’t sharp in our defensive third as a group.” Said Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareyja “A couple of crosses where Miami scored a goal is something that hurt us. All-in-all though, I have to say as well that we respect our ways. We scored two goals and we couldn’t tie the game at the end. The initiative that we had is what we’re trying to do here and I have to say today that without getting the result, I’m still proud of the team and we’ll keep growing. I’ve said it when we win, but this [season] is long and we will get back on track for sure.”
Orlando made a notable change in their starting eleven. with Dike starting as forward striker, replacing Akindele, and Junior Urso in at midfielder starting and Chris Mueller coming in off of the bench.
Orlando has a short turnaround, returning to Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, August for it’s first ever match against expansionists team Nashville SC.
