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After a long weather delay (2 hours and 41 minutes), Orlando City started the game going on the attack at full force. Both teams, seemed eager to be protagonists, but their plays were sloppy due to turnovers and counters committed by either team. The closest team to score was Inter Miami, in the 8th minute Vassilev shot a ball that was going in, and Pedro Gallese delivered a marvelous save in the 7th minute. Inter Miami’s plan from the get go was to play super hard on Mauricio Pereyra. Pereyra was the generator of attacking plays for the lions and was able to create set piece opportunities. However, Orlando did not capitalize in any of the chances. It was a quiet first half for both teams and both had chances, but the ball would not go in.
In the second half, Miami came out on the attacking onslaught. Ruan had the tough job to cover Vassilev and Yedlin, the Brazilian had a tough time containing their attacks. In the 58th minute, Orlando City almost scored. Urso sent a cross to Ruan which then passed the ball to Benji Michel and he missed the shot terribly. Minutes later, Urso was close to score with a shot from distance that went far wide. Then it was Tesho Akindele, that had two clear chances for Orlando and missed terribly. The first one, in the 76th minute, Torres and Ruan sped through the right flank, attempted to find Tesho but the forward shot the ball far wide. Then in the 90th minute, Smith sent a great cross to Tesho and his header went far wide of the post. The game then became choppy and everything was pointing out for it to become a draw. But, in the 92nd minute, Jake Mulraney sent a superb cross into the area, which Damian Lowe attempted to clear and he actually scored an own goal. His teammates were left stunned and THE WALL exploded in rejoice.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“Very intense game as you all saw. I have to recognize first the energy from our fans, waiting a couple hours and staying in the rain and waiting for the team and keeping that same energy the whole game. I thought we enjoyed that victory a lot, not just because of the three points but because it is a derby. I know the fans will enjoy it and recognize it. For the boys, I thought today was not an easy game after our last game and they bounced back. We know we have a lot of things to work [on], but today we deserved those three points and we will take it. Very proud.”
With the victory, the Lions are unbeaten in their last five affairs with their neighbors to the south, holding a 2-0-3 record since the start of the 2021 campaign in all competitions. Pedro Gallese matched his single-season high with his seventh clean sheet of 2022, extending his own Club-record with his 18th as a Lion in all competitions. Benji Michel tallied his 100th appearance on the night across all competitions, getting the start for the Lions. Michel becomes the first Homegrown to reach the century mark with the Club and the fifth player all time.
The Lions face a quick turnaround, heading out west to take on the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, July 13 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in a 9 p.m. ET kickoff.
Vamos Orlando!
