Orlando, Aug 11 (AP) — In a commanding performance, Orlando City triumphed over Inter Miami with a 4-1 victory, highlighted by a pair of goals from Luis Muriel and a goal plus an assist from Martín Ojeda.
Muriel struck early, netting a goal just two minutes into the match and giving Orlando City (9-6-8) an initial lead. However, Inter Miami (12-5-6) swiftly replied with Yannick Bright scoring his first career goal in his 40th appearance, bringing the score level just three minutes later.
Ojeda continued his impressive performance, delivering his 13th assist on Muriel’s early goal, thus extending his club-record streak with a goal contribution to 14 consecutive matches.
As the second half commenced, Muriel found the net again unassisted, marking his eighth goal of the season, which handed Orlando City a 2-1 lead. Ojeda soon capitalized further, scoring his 14th goal of the season in the 58th minute, widening Orlando City’s lead to 3-1. His immense contribution of 27 goals this season leads the league.
In the closing stages, Marco Pašalic secured the victory with an unassisted goal in the 88th minute, his 10th in his inaugural season in the league, stretching the lead to 4-1.
Anchoring the team from the back, Pedro Gallese delivered four saves for Orlando City, while Óscar Ustari faced a barrage of shots, turning away eight attempts for Inter Miami.
Notably absent from the match was Inter Miami’s superstar Lionel Messi, who was sidelined with a right leg injury picked up on Aug. 2 during a Leagues Cup match against Necaxa. Messi, who remains tied with Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge as the league’s top scorers with 18 goals, has made his mark in each of the 18 matches he has played out of Miami’s 23 fixtures.
Orlando City's victory propels them into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Head coach Oscar Pareja is on the cusp of achieving a milestone, needing one more victory to reach his 100th win across all competitions.
Despite the loss, Inter Miami remains in sixth place, with the advantage of having three matches in hand compared to the conference’s top four teams and two in hand against fifth-placed Columbus Crew.
Looking forward, Inter Miami will seek redemption when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, while Orlando City prepares to host Sporting Kansas City on the same day.
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