Ifs, buts, and maybes. Unfortunately that was the tale of Wednesday evening after Orlando City SC conceded an 89th minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with New York City FC at Exploria Stadium.
Now twelve MLS regular season games into 2023, our disappointing and inconsistent campaign shows no signs of truly turning a corner. Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now visit Florida rivals Inter Miami who will no doubt be fired up for the first Sunshine Clásico of the year.
On Wednesday, Orlando City SC put in a good first-half performance against NYCFC, especially in the opening 20 minutes.
Taking the lead as early as the seventh minute, Ercan Kara‘s towering header was just what the home crowd needed.
Powerfully swivelling his head to drive a fantastic Gastón González cross past Luis Barraza, the Austrian has now reassuringly scored in three of his last four MLS outings.
I just wish Orlando City SC would play to Kara’s strengths more.
Possessing great aerial prowess, to which we have no doubt, you can’t help but feel City haven’t played to the system striker’s strengths since his January 2022 arrival.
Scoring the first goal was always going to be key in this game. Especially considering NYCFC had lost their last four games across all competitions.
While City achieved this, their problem all season long has been scoring enough goals – and we never put the game to bed.
With Martín Ojeda dropped from the starting eleven, there was still enough attacking quality on the field to take advantage.
But in a game where New York City FC bossed possession (53% to 47%) and shots (on goal) (14 (6) to 10 (4)), we disappointingly let The Pigeons off the hook.
Sub Gabriel Segal’s 89th minute equaliser was simply not good enough from a City perspective.
Michael Halliday, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson, and Martín Ojeda were all caught watching Talles Magno slalom his way into City’s 18-yard box.
From here, the Brazilian easily cut the ball back to unmarked rookie Segal who tied the game.
It was a really bad way to give up our hard earned lead. At full-time, home supporters were left with more questions than answers – not for the first time this season.
The worst thing was that Gabriel Segal’s equaliser was coming.
Prior to this goal, a frustrated Pedro Gallese was doing his best to preserve our slender advantage. Especially when palming away a fierce Gabriel Pereira strike from range on 75 minutes.
Visibly frustrated, El Pulpo was urging City’s outfield to put more pressure on the ball.
And it was true. City conceded way too many opposition chances late in the game, and you always thought this pressure might tell.
Now turning the page to Saturday, Orlando City SC fly south above Florida’s Turnpike to visit Fort Lauderdale.
Winning four MLS home games at DRV PNK Stadium this season, Phil Neville’s side sit eleventh in the Eastern Conference.
Just one point behind tenth-placed Orlando City SC, City supporters are desperately craving a proud performance in rival territory.
Especially considering Josef Martínez now wears the pink of The Herons and not The Five Stripes of Atlanta United.
The cocksure Venezuelan has scored more goals against Orlando City SC (8) than any other MLS team – all in just 10 appearances.
One of the biggest Orlando City SC villains of them all, the talented Martínez will be extra motivated, as he always is, for this fixture.
With City suffering a really painful 4-1 loss at DRV PNK Stadium back in October 2022, nothing but passion, fight, and determination is required here in this eagerly anticipated MLS Rivalry Week encounter.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- May 25, 2022: Orlando City SC 1 Inter Miami 1 (4-2 on penalties A.E.T.) (2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup)
- July 9, 2022: Orlando City SC 1 Inter Miami 0 (MLS)
- October 5, 2022: Inter Miami 4 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
2020/22 head-to-head stats
- It was 4-1 to Inter Miami the last time the sides met (October 2022)
- Played Inter Miami 9 times in MLS – Miami 3, Draws 2, Orlando 4
- Six of 9 MLS head-to-heads have been separated by 1 goal
- Josef Martínez has scored 3 goals in Inter Miami’s last 2 MLS fixtures at home
- Orlando are undefeated in 4 of their 5 away fixtures so far this MLS season
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Watching the game
Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, May 21.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC‘s 2023 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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