Inter Miami suffered a devastating 3-0 defeat to Orlando City in the MLS on Sunday, reducing them to just one win in their last seven outings. Lionel Messi failed to inspire his side on a difficult night where chances came sparingly to the hosts. His two shots on target were expertly pushed aside by Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese.
The game stood testament to the way Miami have struggled defensively under Argentine boss Javier Mascherano. Striker Luis Suarez too, failed to capitalize despite having two shots on goal.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Orlando City opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when goalkeeper Pedro Gallese's long ball found Luis Muriel, who converted the opportunity with ease. The visitors continued to exploit Miami's fragile defense, though Argentine Marti Ojeda missed a clear chance to extend the lead.
Miami's goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made some impressive saves before committing an error that led to Orlando's second goal. Marco Pasilic's low shot from the edge of the box went through Ustari's hands and legs.
Despite Miami coach Javier Mascherano's tactical changes to bolster the attack, Orlando sealed their victory in stoppage time. Duncan McGuire's cross from the left found Icelandic forward Dagur Thorhallsson, who scored the third goal.
"Now we'll truly see if we're a team in difficult times, because when everything's going well it's very easy," Messi told Apple TV. "When difficult times come, that's when we have to be more united than ever, be a true team, and pull ourselves together."'
Miami's recent form has been concerning, with 20 goals conceded and only 11 scored in their last seven matches. Their sole victory during this period came against the New York Red Bulls on May 3.
New low for Messi and MiamiFollowing the loss to Orlando, Messi and Miami need to regroup and recover for their next game against the Philadelphia Warriors. A surprising statistic reveals the extent to which Miami have been struggling to impress in recent games. The 3-0 defeat on Monday marks the biggest home loss for the club ever since signing the World Cup winner.
Mascherano acknowledged his team's initial control of the game but expressed concern about their recurring mistakes. "I'd say for 25 or 30 minutes we had it completely under control playing in the opponent's half, but this is how it is, clearly. I'm not going to deny what the result is," he said.
"Unfortunately, we can't afford the mistakes we make; that's clear, but it's pointless for me to come here and tell this story, because it keeps happening. So, clearly, we as a coaching staff are failing in many of these ways, and we have to try to find a way around them so we don't continue failing and so the team starts getting results," Mascherano added.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik’s inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 hereThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment