Inter Miami CF was hoping for a bounce-back after a poor result to D.C. United before the MLS international break. Instead, it was more of the same, as the Herons dropped their second in a row to United and third overall Saturday night, 1-0.
Inter Miami CF limped into the Major League Soccer international break on May 29 with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of D.C. United at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The Herons will have a chance to reverse their fortunes fully by traveling to Audi Field on Saturday and playing D.C. United again.
On this Magic City Soccer Podcast, Matthew, Lee and Franco discuss The Miami FC and its victory over Charlotte Independence, as well as Inter Miami CF and its struggles on and off the field. Join us, won’t you?
There was plenty of reasons for soccer fans in and around the South Florida soccer world to be happy about this week.
The Miami FC got things off to a great start with a win away at New York Red Bulls II on Friday night. The game’s only goal came when Billy Forbes clipped a lovely ball through for János Löbe. The full back centered for Ballard who had his shot blocked but Jamaican international Speedy Williams rifled home a smart finish from the edge of the box.
A home opener against LA Galaxy. Great anticipation for a new season with promise, potential, and so many unknowns. It’s the launch of the 2021 Inter Miami CF capmaign in Major League Soccer, but it offers a sense of deja vu: We were in this place exactly one year and six weeks ago, when Inter Miami lost at DC United, headed home for its inaugural home match, and then the world stopped.
Inter Miami never did host LA Galaxy in its 2020 season, or play the Galaxy at all. COVID restrictions and a regionalized schedule update forced a lot of changes on a club that still has no true sense of normalcy.
But today’s match will really give the club a chance to change that for the first time.
Inter Miami CF conceded a goal early in the second half to fall behind 2-1 and two more late on, falling to New York Red Bulls 4-1 in the team’s first home game against an opponent outside the Southeast.
After 15 minutes Saturday night, you would have thought Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United FC were in for a blazing shootout. Some 75 minutes later, it was a scratch-and-claw victory for the Herons, hanging on for a 2-1 victory and three more points from the Peach State.
For a moment against Orlando City SC, it appeared Inter Miami CF might be able to find its footing and get back into the match. Might be able to forge the first winning streak in team history. But that moment was fleeting, and a Mauricio Pereyra goal off the post put the Purple and Gold up for good, 2-1.
Orlando struck first, applying pressure and dominating much of the first half, including a Nani free kick striking off the crossbar. In the 34th minute, Miami defender Andres Reyes unluckily put the ball in his own net off a curling set piece.
Miami drastically improved in the second half, as the infusions of Dylan Nealis and Brek Shea sparked several quality chances early on.
Finally, in the 65th minute, it was former Orlando man Shea who took a service from Rodolfo Pizarro and headed the ball in for the equalizer. It was a deserved reward for Miami, but the joy wouldn’t last long.
Textbook cross from @Rpizarrot.
Perfect header from @BrekShea. pic.twitter.com/CiyBt9DwBK— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 13, 2020
In what has become an unfortunate trend, a Miami goal is followed by a Miami concession. This time, the center of the Inter defense vacated a huge hole at the top of the 18-yard box. It was Pereyra taking a clever pass from Chris Mueller and slotting it past the diving Luis Robles.
😘 off the post from Mauricio 😈 #ORLvMIA | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/6soLomIt8R
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) September 13, 2020
Just a few minutes after that, a wild sequence ensued. A low cross nearly found the foot of Miami forward Julian Carranza, and after video review, it was determined that not only was Carranza fouled by Orlando’s Rodrigo Schlegel, but it was the defender’s second yellow card of the match. Before Inter could even line up for the penalty kick, a second review showed Carranza offside as the ball was played in, nullifying the foul and the yellow card. Schlegel was subsequently allowed back into the match and Inter’s wait for its first penalty kick of the season continued.
In the third match-up between these clubs, and the last presently on the schedule, it’s advantage Orlando (2-1). Miami next faces Atlanta United in Georgia on Saturday at 7 p.m. The latest round of MLS schedule updates has Inter playing home to New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, September 23 and at Philadelphia Union on Sunday the 27th.
Four days after a scoreless draw against Atlanta United, Inter Miami CF again went 90 minutes without conceding or scoring a goal.
Nashville SC traveled to Inter Miami CF Stadium and withstood a hearty effort from the Herons, including two must-make opportunities for Julian Carranza and Rodolfo Pizarro.
Inter Miami CF, coming off a 1-0 loss to fellow expansion side Nashville SC, will look to win on the road for the first time tonight, at Atlanta United.