Inter Miami CF endured a dramatic late collapse on the road, falling 4-3 to Orlando City SC in a chaotic MLS showdown at Nu Stadium on Saturday night. Despite building a commanding three-goal lead inside the opening half-hour, Miami could not withstand a relentless Orlando comeback that was completed deep into stoppage time.
Inter Miami lined up with Dayne St. Clair in goal; Ian Fray, Micael, Maximiliano Falcón, and Noah Allen formed the back line. In midfield, Telasco Segovia, Rodrigo De Paul, and Yannick Bright controlled the center, while an attacking trio of Luis Suárez, captain Lionel Messi, and Germán Berterame led the frontline.
The visitors wasted no time asserting themselves. In the 4th minute, Ian Fray rose highest in the box to head home a pinpoint delivery from Segovia, giving Miami a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Fray’s first of the regular season, while Segovia continued his impressive creative form with his sixth assist of the campaign.
Miami doubled their advantage in the 25th minute after a flowing attacking sequence. Lionel Messi combined with Suárez on the left side of the box before delivering a grounded ball across goal that Segovia calmly finished from close range. The Venezuelan midfielder recorded his second goal of the season, while Messi notched his second assist.
The dominance continued in the 33rd minute when Messi added a third goal, curling a precise effort into the bottom-left corner to extend Miami’s lead to 3-0. The finish marked his eighth goal of the league campaign, with Suárez collecting his second assist of the season on the play.
At that stage, Inter Miami appeared fully in control, overwhelming Orlando with sharp movement and clinical finishing.
However, the match shifted dramatically before halftime. Orlando City pulled one back in the 39th minute, just before the break, giving the home side a lifeline at 3-1.
Momentum continued to swing after the restart. Orlando struck again in the 68th minute, cutting the deficit to one and energizing the home crowd. Inter Miami, suddenly under pressure, struggled to regain rhythm as Orlando pressed higher and forced turnovers in midfield.
The equalizer arrived in the 79th minute, completing a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to 3-3 and setting up a tense final stretch.
Despite late attempts from Miami’s attacking trio of Messi, Suárez, and Berterame, Orlando remained dangerous in transition.
Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Orlando City delivered the decisive blow, scoring their fourth goal to complete a stunning 4-3 victory.
For Inter Miami, the result will sting given their explosive start and early control. Messi’s goal and assist, along with Segovia’s continued playmaking form and Fray’s early header, highlighted a strong attacking performance that ultimately went unrewarded.
Orlando City, meanwhile, showcased resilience and late-game intensity to secure one of their most memorable wins of the season.
Inter Miami will look to regroup quickly as they hit the road to face Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. ET, aiming to bounce back from a heartbreaking late defeat.
