Is this the greatest MLS regular-season comeback?

A difficult start to 2026 took a troublesome turn for Inter Miami on Saturday, throwing away a three-goal lead to lose against Florida rivals Orlando City. The 4-3 defeat is only Miami’s second in 11 MLS games this season but the nature and the timing of the loss will be a major blow for the Herons.

Saturday’s game was the first derby to be played at Miami’s Nu Stadium, which was finally opened last month. The Herons had failed to win any of their first three games in the new venue but that disappointing run looked to have come to an end when they surged to a 3-0 lead after half an hour on Saturday, goals from Ian Fray, Lionel Messi and Telasco Segovia putting them in the driving seat.

But, once again, Miami’s defensive frailties soon came to the fore and Orlando struck back with a trio of goals from Martín Ojeda to level the game. It was the visitors who dominated the second half and Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair needed to be at his best to prevent Orlando taking the lead. Eventually they did, with Tyrese Spicer coming off the bench to score a 93rd-minute winner to give Orlando a famous, historic derby win.

Crushing loss for flailing Miami

Even after Saturday’s loss, Inter Miami’s MLS record of five wins, four draws and two losses is hardly catastrophic. But the reigning MLS Cup champions, fresh from a hugely ambitious off-season, are well short of their full potential and the 4-3 loss to Orlando laid bare the team’s weaknesses.

The departure of former head coach Javier Mascherano was striking, as was the decision to replace him with the club’s sporting director and close Messi friend, Guillermo Hoyos. Miami were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Eastern Conference rivals Nashville SC and the team has now conceded 19 goals in 11 MLS games, hardly championship form.

A team that was tipped to make history this season has done so this weekend, although not in a way that they would have hoped to do. Miami become just the fourth defending champion to lose after taking a three-goal lead in a game. Doing so against their struggling local rivals, in the first derby match played in a new stadium, will compound the misery for Inter Miami fans. There is every chance that this talented team will turn things around and go on to find success this season. But Saturday’s loss is one that will sting, and that will be felt for some time to come.

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