Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City
Heber brace seals victory
Inter Miami defeated Orlando City 2-1 in the Leagues Cup on Thursday, with Heber scoring a brace to seal the victory.
- Match: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City
- Date: August 2, 2023
- Venue: DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Result: Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City
- Goalscorers: Messi (7′, 40′), Martinez (87′) for Inter Miami; Kara (25′) for Orlando City
- Attendance: 19,355
- Referee: Victor Guzman (Mexico)
Inter Miami
- Founded: 2018
- Home stadium: DRV PNK Stadium
- Owner: David Beckham
- Captain: captain: Wil Trapp
- Notable players: Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Rodolfo Pizarro
- Current league position: 6th in Eastern Conference
Orlando City
- Founded: 2010
- Home stadium: Exploria Stadium
- Owner: Flavio Augusto da Silva
- Captain: Nani
- Notable players: Nani, Ercan Kara, Benji Michel
- Current league position: 10th in Eastern Conference
The match was played at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and it was a close contest throughout.
Orlando City took the lead in the 25th minute through Benji Michel, but Heber equalized for Inter Miami in the 38th minute.
Heber then scored the winning goal in the 78th minute, and Inter Miami held on for the victory.
The win means that Inter Miami are now through to the semifinals of the Leagues Cup, where they will face Club León.
Heber was the star of the show for Inter Miami, scoring two goals to lead his team to victory.
Orlando City were the better team in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on to their lead in the second half.
Inter Miami’s defense was solid throughout the match, and they didn’t allow Orlando City many chances.
The Leagues Cup is a great opportunity for MLS teams to test themselves against top competition from Mexico.
What’s next for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami will now face Club León in the semifinals of the Leagues Cup. The match will be played on August 10 at DRV PNK Stadium.
If Inter Miami can win their semifinal match, they will advance to the final of the Leagues Cup. The final will be played on August 17 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
What’s next for Orlando City?
Orlando City will now focus on their MLS season. They are currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, and they will next face the New York Red Bulls on August 6.
About the match:
Inter Miami had 60% possession of the ball.
Orlando City had 13 shots on goal, while Inter Miami had 10 shots on goal.
Inter Miami had 3 shots on target, while Orlando City had 1 shot on target.
Miami won the midfield battle, winning 55% of the possession in the middle of the park.
Inter Miami’s defense was solid, winning 78% of their defensive duels.
The match was a great advertisement for the Leagues Cup, and it was a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. Lionel Messi was in fine form for Inter Miami, scoring two goals and setting up another. Orlando City were the better team in the first half, but they couldn’t hold on to their lead in the second half. Inter Miami’s defense was solid throughout the match, and they didn’t allow Orlando City many chances.
