MIAMI, FL – Despite the rain delaying the game from it’s original start time, it did not affect Inter Miami as they beat in state rivals Orlando City in the Leagues Cup round of 32.
After the delay had ended, the match opened with the unveiling of Inter Miami’s newest signing, Defender Jordi Alba. Alba is yet another major international signing made by the Miami based club in the past month. Alba joined his former Barcelona teammates Leo Messi and Sergio Busquets on the field tonight as he made his debut for the club.
The match started greatly in Miami’s favor as Leo Messi found the back of the net in the 7th minute of the match giving Miami a quick and commanding 1-0 lead. However, the lead wouldn’t last long as Cesar Araujo gave Orlando a tying goal in the 17th minute of the match which would hold coming into halftime.
Coming out of the break Miami gained another as Josef Martinez sank a penalty shot giving Miami a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute. Orlando couldn’t seem to find an equalizer, and in the 72nd minute Miami found the back of the net again as Messi scored his second goal of the game and his fifth goal of the tournament as he has scored in every game he has made an appearance in.
Miami would win the match 3-1, however this would come with some controversy, Orlando City protested the call that sent Josef Martinez to the line for the penalty kick, there was even a moment of confrontation at the end of the match which involved most of the Orlando City squad trying to get a word out to the officials, however it ended in unsuccessful fashion. However it was quite clear that Orlando didn’t agree on the penalty call.
Miami moves on to the Round of 16 to face-off against FC Dallas in Frisco on Sunday August 6th, we’ll see if Miami can keep the Messi magic run going.
