Inter Miami - Orlando City live online: score, stats and updates | MLS
Inter Miami - Orlando City: As it happened
Inter Miami blew past Orlando City in the Turnpike Derby, reiterating their credentials as MLS Cup contenders.
Saturday's derby clash at Chase Stadium was billed as two evenly-matched teams but Miami raced into an early lead when Luis Suarez fired home his first goal for the club. He doubled his tally in the 11th minute, another clinical finish from a Julian Gressel pass.
The Uruguayan turned provided on the half-hour mark to put the ball on a plate for Robert Taylor who made it three. Suarez had the ball in the back of the net for a third time shortly before the break but the goal was ruled out for a very narrow offside.
Orlando actually started the second half in the ascendency but two quick-fire goals from Lionel Messi - one with his chest and one with his head - killed any hopes of a miraculous revival.
The Herons had more chances as the game wore on but were unable to inflict further pain on Orlando. The visitors did eventually manage a few promising attacks but two pieces of inspired goalkeeping from Drake Callender ensured that Inter Miami kept the clean sheet and secured a very impressive derby win.
Lionel Messi puts on a show in front of Bizarrap
Inter Miami put five past Florida rivals Orlando City, with captain Lionel Messi scoring twice for the Herons. The 36-year-old now has three goals in three games this year and took the time to say hello to a friend after the game, music producer Bizarrap!
Inter Miami maul rivals Orlando
Does it get any better than this for Inter Miami fans? Two goals apiece from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi and another from Robert Taylor has sent shockwaves across the league and reiterated their status as genuine MLS Cup contenders.
Peeeep peeeeep peeeeeeeeeep
Full time in the Turnpike Derby and it's a resounding victory for Inter Miami!
History made at Chase Stadium this evening.
There's a flurry of late Miami pressure that nearly sets Messi through on goal. Instead, the Herons win a late corner kick.
There's a flurry of late Miami pressure that nearly sets Messi through on goal. Instead, the Herons win a late corner kick.
Lionel Messi takes the free kick but his curling effort flies well over the crossbar.
There's just one minute of added time.
Lionel Messi darts towards the edge of the Orlando box and is tripped. Free kick 25 yards from goal, left of centre.
Messi range.
What does this result mean for the battle at the top of the Eastern Conference? It may only be one game but it have provided crucial 'proof of concept' for the signing of Luis Suarez. He may not offer much physically, but he is brilliant on the ball and knows where the goal is.
Inter Miami seem pretty content with five goals, the pace of the game has really fallen in the past five minutes.
The cross is curled in for a second time but a foul is called in the box. Inter Miami win the free kick.
Orlando City win a corner, whipped in by Lodeiro.
The ball is rebuffed by Miami and Orlando win another corner.
Deft pass from Messi to sweep the ball out to Taylor on the left. He fires the ball in towards Campana, who tries to backheel a pass through to Messi.
The pass is cut-out, but Messi applauds the attempt.
Miami look to break forward through Robert Taylor. He plays the ball through to David Ruiz but he takes too long and is dispossessed.
Leonardo Campana
Late challenge from the Miami forward on Robin Jansson. He goes into the book.
Brilliant backheel from Robert Taylor sends Jean Mota sweeping forward on the left. Mota tries to pull the ball back to Leo Campana but it's cut out by Jansson.
Noah Allen's first involvement is a long ball forward towards Leo Campana. Orlando win the ball back and try to build.
I was wrong!
There's a double change for Inter Miami but it's Nicolas Freire and Diego Gomez who come off. Noah Allen and Jean Mota enter the fray.
There are two more substitutions left for Tata Martino and you'd expect him to rest Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets before the end of the 90 minutes.
Let's see what he does.
Tomas Aviles comes off, Sergii Kryvtsov comes on to replace him.
It looks like more changes for Inter Miami. Tomas Aviles is down holding his hamstring. Doesn't seem to concerning though. A bit of cramp, perhaps.
Ramiro Enrique is played through by Lodeiro and he strikes the ball firmly into the bottom corner. Drake Callender springs across his line and makes a brilliant save, low to his left.
The Miami keeper wants this clean sheet!
Lodeiro takes the free kick from the left but it's easily headed away by Inter Miami.
Luis Muriel does well for Orlando on the edge of the box. He works it out to Nicolas Lodeiro on the left, whose cross hits the hand of Yedlin and wins his team a free kick.
Change for Orlando as Felipe comes on for Martin Ojeda. That's the fifth and final substitution for Oscar Pareja.
There's real confidence in this Miami team now. Jordi Alba cuts out an attempted back pass and he, Gomez and Callender casually pass the ball around inside their own penalty box.
Good play from Orlando on the left to get Ojeda in space down the left. He tries to pull the ball back to Luis Muriel but Drake Callender makes a brave sprawling save to cut out the pass.
Luis Suarez and Julian Gressel have just put in performances that rank among the best that we've seen from Lionel Messi in an Inter Miami jersey.
Two goals and two assists for Suarez. A hat-trick of assists for Gressel. Brilliant from the pair of new signings.
Double change for Inter Miami. Luis Suarez and Julian Gressel come off. Leonardo Campana and David Ruiz come on to replace them.
Nico Lodeiro tries to get something started for Orlando on the edge of the Miami box. He fires the ball out to Smith on the left. Inter Miami get across well to close him down and win the goal kick.
Clever spin from Julian Gressel on the halfway line. He tries to play a quick one-two with Luis Suarez by they can't combine.
WATCH: Messi joins the party after brilliant Jordi Alba run
Lionel Messi grabbed his side's fourth of the day, casually 'chesting' the ball home after outstanding work from Jordi Alba.
It really is a party atmosphere now as Inter Miami bathe in the warm glow of this demolition of their Florida rivals.
Inter Miami are five goals up. Lionel Messi is waving to the crowd. THere's still 30 minutes to go!
Gooooaaaaaal! Lionel Messi
Brilliant break from Inter Miami, from one end to the other. Luis Suarez found himself on the left of the box and curled the ball onto the head of Lionel Messi at the back post.
He steers the ball perfectly into the bottom corner. Inter Miami have five!
That goal was the work of Jordi Alba, the 34-year-old full back who made a devastating forward run through the heart of the Orlando defence to bring his team up the field.
After some desperate City defending the ball fell to Lionel Messi, who appeared to cushion it over the line with his chest!
Gooooaaaal! Lionel Messi
Another brilliant attacking move from Inter Miami puts Jordi Alba through on goal. Alba's shot is clear offed the line but the rebound falls to Lionel Messi to walk the ball into the goal.
Four-nil to Inter Miami in the derby!
Orlando's passing has looking very ragged in the last few minutes and Oscar Pareja is readying two more subs.
Another shot from Gressel, this time it stings the gloves of Pedro Gallese and the Orlando keeper grabs the loose ball.
Inter Miami smell blood and Suarez and Gressel combine again on the edge of the box. Gressel races through into the Orlando box and smashes the ball off the crossbar.
So close to a fourth from Inter Miami!
Santos loses it for Orlando on the edge of the box and Miami quickly shift the ball to Lionel Messi. He aims for the bottom corner but his left-footed drive bounces just wide of the bottom corner.
New Miami signing Nicolas Freire has impressed at the back in the opening 52 minutes. He brings both athleticism and experience to Miami's shaky backline.
Facundo Torres finds space on the left and whips a brilliant, teasing cross into the box. Aviles dives back to make a clearance and he's a bit fortunate not to deflect it into his own net.
Miami survive.
Diego Gomez
Inter Miami have the chance to break away but Gomez loses the ball with a sloppy touch and commits a foul trying to win it back.
He goes into the book.
Orlando come forward with Torres and Loderio on the left. The latter gets to the touchline and clips a ball into the box but it's overhit.
Orlando City have the ball in the back of the net through Martin Ojeda but the official's flag is up.
That one was very tight, but VAR are happy to stick with the on-field decision.
Orlando City are looking to get a hold of the game in the opening stages, Lodeiro dropping into midfield to build the play.
Double change for Orlando at the break. Off-season signings Nicolas Loderio and Luis Muriel come on to replace Cartagena and McGuire.
And we're back!
Orlando City get the second half started.
Luis Suarez breaks Inter Miami record with quick-fire brace
The Herons are flying and Luis Suarez has found his scoring boots. He took little time to make his mark on the Turnpike Derby and he has broken a franchise record in the process.
No Inter Miami player has taken less time to score a brace; Suarez's early double took just 11 minutes. He was tantalisingly close to a third shortly before the break and you would not bet against him finding the hat trick goal in the second half.
Inter Miami dominate Orlando in Turnpike Derby
Could that half have gone any better for Inter Miami? The Herons have a three-goal lead and Luis Suarez is on the scoresheet. The Uruguayan scored the first two for his team and set the third up for Robert Taylor.
A stellar performance from Suarez and a statement showing from Inter Miami against one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference.
Peeep peeeep peeeeep
Half time at Chase Stadium and Inter Miami have a three-goal lead at the break!
Luis Suarez has scored twice, contributed an assist, and he's still going at it with the Orlando bench on his way into the locker room. This is the Suarez that Miami wanted!
This time it's Suarez who's penalised for a shove on Robin Jansson. Not long to go in the first half.
Luis Suarez is fouled on the halfway line, Miami win the free kick.
Wilder Cartagena tries to play a long ball over to Thorhallsson on the right but it sails out of play for a Miami goal kick.
There will be a minimum of two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
The game restarts with an Orlando City free kick so it looks like the Miami forward was offside.
So nearly a first half hat trick for the 37-year-old!
Luis Suarez has the ball in the back of the net again, but it's ruled out for offside!
The Miami striker isn't happy, it'll be checked by VAR!
Poor touch from Busquets sees the ball bobble out to Araujo on the edge of the Miami box. He takes a swing but Busquets gets back well to block the shot.
We're just five minutes from the break and we've not yet seen a save from Drake Callender.
A damning indictment of Orlando City's first half performance.
Good interplay from Messi and Gressel to build through the middle. Inter Miami are looking very comfortable in possession now, preventing Orlando from getting a grip on the game.
Diego Gomez is a little slow on the ball on he's penalised for a clumsy foul on the halfway line.
Good defending from Angulo to clear the ball from the corner flag and buy his team some breathing room.
It doesn't last long, Miami are back on the ball and looking to play forward.
WATCH: Robert Taylor makes it three
Inter Miami have a three-goal lead and Luis Suarez and Julian Gressel have been involved in all three. This time they combined to put the ball on a plate for Robert Taylor to add a third.
Orlando clip the ball out to Torres on the left and the wideman curls a cross into the box. It's a little to long and Jordi Alba clears easily at the back post.
Orlando try to build a bit of confidence on the ball. Angulo does well on the right to maintain possession and keep things ticking over.
Lionel Messi takes the free kick from 30 yards out and smashes the outside of the post! Brilliant effort from the Argentinian, Orlando survive.
Robin Jansson
Lionel Messi is fouled 30 yards from goal and the Orlando defender goes into the book.
Good play from Wilder Cartagena to sweep up possession in the midfield and work the ball out to Ivan Angulo. The Orlando forward loses it almost immediately and Miami come forward once again.
Long ball forward from Orlando towards Facundo Torres but he's muscled out of it by the Miami backline.
Inter Miami's attacking quality has been clear to see in the opening half an hour.
It began with brilliant play from Julian Gressel, who turned on the ball in the midfield and slid a clever pass through to Suarez. He unselfishly squared the ball to Taylor and Miami have a third.
Goooaaaal! Robert Taylor
It's a third for Inter Miami! Luis Suarez is played in on goal again and the 37-year-old slides the ball to Robert Taylor in space.
Easy finish for the Finn, 3-0 to Miami!
Ball worked out to Jordi Alba on the left. He tries to pull the ball back to Lionel Messi but the pass is short.
Messi regains possession off Cartagena and Miami are back on the ball.
Another slick attacking move from Inter Miami, this time it's Messi, Suarez and Busquets combining. The latter finds himself on the ball in the box but can't quite sort his feet out and the chance goes begging.
WATCH: Luis Suarez strikes again
Here's the second from Luis Suarez against Orlando City. Once again it was Gressel who slipped the ball through to Suarez and the Uruguayan made no mistake.
Brilliant skill from Messi on the right to bring a long ball under his spell. He skips past Wilder Cartegena but runs out of space and the ball goes out of play.
Good work from Facundo Torres on the wing to beat his man and curl a cross towards McGuire in the middle. Callender can't claim the cross but it just evades McGuire's head.
A let-off for Miami, there.
The corner kick is cleared to Facundo Torres on the edge of the box and he fires well over the crossbar from distance.
Ojeda looks to find Angulo again and the Orlando winger wins another corner.
Another corner for the visitors.
Ojeda finds Schegel with the corner but the Orlando defender's header is well off-target.
Good work from Angulo on the left to win a corner kick for his team. Chance for Orlando to deliver now.
There's definitely been a system change for Inter Miami for this game.
It's more of a 4-4-1-1 than the 4-3-3 used in recent matches. A flat four in midfield aims to protect the backline, Messi plays behind Suarez in attack.
Orlando try to reimpose themselves back into the game.
Ivan Angulo tries to beat Tomas Aviles on the left but the Miami defender stands strong and wins a free kick.
That early brace from Luis Suarez has kicked up the atmosphere amongst the Inter Miami support and there's a full-on party atmosphere at Chase Stadium now.
Drums and horns, singing and dancing, Miami is alive!
WATCH: Luis Suarez fires Miami ahead
Here it is, his first competitive goal for the Herons. Luis Suarez made no mistake and fired his team into an early lead against Orlando City.
Orlando look to battle their way back into the game down the left but Ojeda's pass is a little overhit and Yedlin can shield it out for a goal kick.
Well, who said Luis Suarez was finished?
There have been doubts about his fitness but there can be no question marks over Luis Suarez' finishing. The Uruguayan has had two sights of goal and finished them both brilliantly, one with his left and one with his right.
Class, it seems, is permanent.
Goooooaaaaaal! Luis Suarez
He's done it again! The Uruguayan combines brilliantly with Gressel on the left and glides through the Orlando defence.
He gets one-on-one and strikes firmly into the bottom corner! Two-nil!
The game has got off to an energetic start with chances for both teams. Two teams built to attack, doing their best to play on the front foot.
Another effort from Orlando as Araujo picks up the ball 25 yards from goal. He lets fly but it rises just over Callender's crossbar. Good hit from the midfielder.
Good chance for Orlando now as Aruajo makes his way down the right flank and pulls it back to McGuire. The youngster gets under his shot and balloons it over the crossbar.
Good play from Orlando.
The goal was a slick move from Inter Miami. Messi made ground through the middle and slipped the ball out to Gressel on the right. He pulled back a clever ball to Suarez on the edge of the box and the 37-year-old whipped the ball in to the top corner.
Inter Miami lead!
Gooooaaaaaal! Luis Suarez
Sharp break from Inter Miami and a brilliant, frictionless finish from Luis Suarez to fire his side ahead!
His first goal for the Herons, what a time to score it!
Diego Gomez gives away his second foul of the opening two minutes for an over-eager push on Araujo. Positive start from Miami.
Positive start for Inter Miami as Robert Taylor is slipped in on the left flank. Strong defending required from Thorhalssen to stop his progress.
And we're off!
Inter Miami get the first Turnpike Derby of 2024 underway...
The two teams are out on the field at Chase Stadium and we're nearly ready for kick-off in this MLS clash.
The scene is set, the stands are packed, we're nearly ready!
Inter Miami forwards on the same wavelength
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored hundreds of goals and won countless titles together at Barcelona. This season they reunite in MLS and are looking to make more history for Inter Miami.
Ahead of kick-off the illustrious duo were going through their paces at Chase Stadium. Will today be the day that Luis Suarez scores his first competitive goal for the Herons? What a game it would be to do it.
Kick-off is fast approaching at Chase Stadium. This year's Turnpike Derby - the MLS clash between Inter Miami and Orlando City - could well be a key match at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The two teams met three times last year and each team won once, with the third game finishing as a draw. Perhaps the most important was the Leagues Cup meeting in August where Lionel Messi ran the show for the Herons, scoring twice in a 3-1 win.
Orlando will be out to stop a repeat performance from the Argentine today.
Orlando City going through their paces at Chase Stadium
The skies may be grey but there's plenty of colour on show in Florida today as the pink-jerseyed Inter Miami take on the all-purple Orlando City.
The visitors come into the game as slight underdogs but they are genuine contenders for MLS Cup this year. They finished second to FC Cincinnati in the Supporters' Shield standings in 2023 and have strengthened impressively over the off-season.
Oscar Pareja's side added Luis Muriel and Nicolas Lodeiro to add experience and real quality to their offensive options. Both start on the bench today, but don't be surprised to see them play key roles.
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There's been a late change ahead of today's game, but it's nothing to do with the players. The referee for today's game has been stood down after a photo emerged of him wearing an Inter Miami shirt.
Here's everything you need to know as the MLS - PRO dispute continues to drag on...
Lionel Messi on the field at Chase Stadium
The Inter Miami captain leads his team out for today's Turnpike Derby clash against Florida neighbours Orlando City. The stands are starting to fill up and the Herons have the opportunity to put down a marker against their Eastern Conference rivals.
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Every week we will be bringing you the Miami Missive, a weekly round-up of all the biggest happenings at Chase Stadium.
This week's edition focuses on a injury concern for Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi's last Orlando City performance and the Herons' draw for CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Here's everything you need to know...
Luis Suarez starts again for Inter Miami
One of the big topics of conversation ahead of this Florida derby was the Inter Miami forward line. The Herons struggled out of possession against LA Galaxy last week and some had suggested that Tata Martino would give Leonardo Campana the opportunity to feature from the start.
Instead, Miami start with Luis Suarez for the third game out of three this season. The Uruguayan has undoubtable quality but his fitness concerns and lack of mobility does limit Miami. In the team's line-up announcement Messi is listed as an attacking midfielder for today's game, behind the offensive partnership of Suarez and Robert Taylor.
A new system or a bit of pre-game misdirect? We'll find out very soon...
Here's how Orlando City line up
The visitors have opted to make a few changes from last weekend's 0-0 draw against Montreal. Off-season signing Nicolas Lodeiro drops from the starting XI, with Martin Ojeda taking his place.
That change suggests that Orlando are looking to play on the counter-attack and pose Miami questions in those crucial transitional moments.
Inter Miami team news!
Here's the Inter Miami starting XI to take on Orlando City. The front six remain unchanged from the previous two MLS fixture, while Nicolas Freire returns to the heart of the defence after shaking off an injury.
Inter Miami must ease burden on Lionel Messi
“The Orlando game in last year’s Leagues Cup was a game where [Messi] found the ball many times in the final quarter of the field, before finishing the play. He even scored a goal in the six-yard box. That is what we have to get back to, the team finding him to finish the plays."
“I feel that in the two 2024 games he has had too much wear and tear. It is my responsibility to make the team work in such a way that we can use him differently."
Who will start for Inter Miami?
We should have full team news from Chase Stadium in the coming minutes and there are some big decisions for Tata Martino to make today. Inter Miami looked overwhelmed by LA Galaxy in transitions last weekend and Orlando boast a number of direct attacking players, especially the likes of Duncan McGuire and Facundo Torres.
Will he opt to make a change to help counteract the counter-attack? We'll find out shortly.
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Tata Martino admitted this week that he is worried about the workload being placed on Lionel Messi in 2024. The Argentine is the catalyst for everything good that Inter Miami do and he will be expected to feature in the vast majority of their minutes this year.
However he also has international commitments and is wanted by Argentina to lead the team at the Copa America and the Olympic Games. Martino has had his say on the situation...
Orlando ready for Miami meeting
Orlando City enjoyed a best-ever MLS finish in 2023. Oscar Pareja's side finished in second place in the Eastern Conference and were runners up for the Supporters' Shield.
Their post-season journey was shorter than the Lions would have hoped but this talented young team can be real contenders this year.
Scene is set for Turnpike Derby
The Sunshine State's two MLS team meet tonight in surprisingly overcast conditions. The Herons play host to rivals Orlando City, both of whom have real ambitions to lift MLS Cup this year. We'll have kick-off from Chase Stadium in little over an hour.
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How time flies. Four years ago Inter Miami were playing their first competitive game as a club, now they boast Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez among their number. David Beckham's MLS franchise have enjoyed a solid start to life in the top flight of US soccer but everyone connected to the club is targeting more.
Here's how it all began...
Inter Miami out to maintain unbeaten start
It's fair to say that Inter Miami's pre-season preparations were... sub-optimal.
The Herons embarked on a massive global tour but won just one of their seven fixtures. Lionel Messi Facundo Farias and Sergio Busquets suffered injuries on the tour and the club were faced with a number of off-field controversies.
However their start to the 2024 season has been fairly impressive, with a win over Real Salt Lake and a draw away at a strong LA Galaxy side. Can they continue that form tonight?
Inter Miami host Orlando City in the first Turnpike Derby of 2024!
The all-Florida affair looks set to be particularly significant this year with both of the teams holding realistic MLS Cup ambitions.
Inter Miami know that they need to capitalise on the presence of Lionel Messi and have a limited window to make the most of his talents. Orlando strengthened in the off-season with the additions of Nicolas Lodeiro and Luis Muriel, while they also kept 2023 top scorer Duncan McGuire.
It's set to be a thrilling game. We'll be bringing you all of the action...