Inter Miami’s Slump Worsens with 3-0 Florida Derby Defeat to Orlando City

Inter Miami’s challenging run of form continued on Sunday, May 18, 2025, as they were comprehensively defeated 3-0 at home by Florida rivals Orlando City in their Major League Soccer encounter. The loss marks Miami’s sixth defeat in their last seven matches across all competitions and prompted star forward Lionel Messi to call for greater team unity amidst growing frustration.

Orlando City exploited Inter Miami’s defensive frailties throughout the contest. Luis Muriel opened the scoring for the visitors in the 43rd minute, latching onto a direct long ball from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and calmly finishing past Miami’s Oscar Ustari. Orlando’s lead was extended after halftime when Marco Pasalic’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area found its way through the hands and legs of Ustari. The victory was sealed in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Dagur Thorhallsson converted a low cross from Duncan McGuire.

Lionel Messi, who managed just two shots on target and uncharacteristically scuffed a free-kick from a favorable position, spoke candidly after the match. “Now we’ll truly see if we’re a team in difficult times, because when everything’s going well it’s very easy,” Messi told Apple TV. “When difficult times come, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a true team, and pull ourselves together.” While Messi also questioned some refereeing decisions, the defeat was largely attributed to Miami’s defensive errors, a disjointed midfield, and an ineffective attack.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged his team’s and his staff’s shortcomings. “Unfortunately, we can’t afford the mistakes we make; that’s clear,” Mascherano stated. “So, clearly, we as a coaching staff are failing in many of these ways, and we have to try to find a way around them… Clearly, something has happened where the team has lost a lot of confidence.” He suggested the team’s morale had been impacted by their earlier exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The defeat sees Inter Miami slip to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, having been overtaken by Orlando City. Over their last seven games, Miami have conceded 20 goals while scoring only 11, with their only victory during this period being against the New York Red Bulls on May 3. The team now faces a significant challenge to address their defensive vulnerabilities and rebuild confidence to reverse their current downturn.