MLS
Who is Ramiro Enrique? Argentine scores dramatic late winner for Orlando City
The 22-year-old forward sparked scenes of wild celebration at Exploria Stadium with a 97th-minute strike against Columbus Crew.
Orlando City secured a dramatic victory over Columbus Crew on Saturday evening, courtesy of a late brace from Argentinian forward Ramiro Enrique.
The Crew were leading 3-1 with half an hour remaining but a goal from Facundo Torres and two from Enrique ensured that Orlando keep up the pressure on leaders FC Cincinnati.
Former Banfield forward Enrique scored in the 86th minute to level the game, before coolly stroking the ball home from close range to give his side the win in the seventh minute of added time.
Orlando now look like one of the form teams in the East and could be real contenders for the MLS Cup if they can continue this momentum into the post-season. They have now won seven of their last nine MLS fixtures, including a statement victory over Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati in their previous fixture.
Ramiro Enrique makes headlines in Messi’s absence
In recent months we’ve become accustomed to seeing an Argentinian forward making crucial contributions in Miami, but this weekend it was Enrique who starred for his side. The 22-year-old’s strike reinforced Orlando’s playoffs credentials, but further down the coast Inter Miami struggled in the absence of their Argentine.
Lionel Messi was left out of the Inter Miami squad to take on Atlanta United on Saturday; not due to any serious injury, but to allow the 36-year-old a break after a chaotic first months in Miami. The World Cup winner played 11 matches in little over six weeks after signing and then joined up with the Argentina squad for the recent international break.
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He scored a crucial late free kick to give La Albiceleste the win over Ecuador, but was rested for the subsequent trip to Bolivia. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino reassured supporters that Messi had not sustained any major injury and would be fit for the game against Toronto next week.
Who is Ramiro Enrique?
On Saturday evening the 22-year-old from Banfield made his first major contribution since signing for Orlando at the start of the year. He debuted for his hometown club in the Argentinian top flight in 2019 and impressed with his direct running and eye for a pass.
He was selected for Argentina’s U-18 team in 2019 and secured a move to Orlando in 2023 after productive seasons with Banfield. However he has struggled for form in MLS, scoring just twice in his first 26 league appearances.
Orlando coach Óscar Pareja will hope that Enrique’s late heroics against Columbus can be the start of something special for the young Argentine.
Next up, Orlando travel to Yankee Stadium to take on New York City FC on Wednesday evening.