Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano says he is “really pained” by Inter Miami’s 4-1 MLS derby thrashing at Orlando City in the absence of injured top scorer and captain Lionel Messi.
The Herons suffered their second three-goal defeat to City of the campaign at the Inter & Co Stadium, where Yannick Bright brought Miami level for 45 minutes in between two goals from in-form Luis Muriel.
“When you’re not at 100%, any team exposes you,” rued Mascherano, whose team are sixth after being overtaken by Orlando.
“There was only one team and that was Orlando. We didn’t even play with the intensity needed to play this game. They outclassed us from the first minute to the last.”
Orlando vs Inter Miami: Luis Muriel scores again
Former Colombia international Muriel had scored the fastest ever Orlando hat-trick in their 5-1 home win over Necaxa to reach the Leagues Cup quarter-finals on Thursday, netting three times in 11 minutes and 30 seconds.
The forward took only two minutes to open the scoring against Miami, charging on to Martin Ojeda’s pass – taking the midfielder’s run of direct goal contributions to 14 consecutive matches – and slotting in.
Bright’s superb volley drew Miami level three minutes later but Muriel fired in from close range five minutes after the break, Ojeda struck from inside the box and Marco Pasalic swept in to complete the scoring two minutes from time.
“We’re clearly very hurt and very worried,” said Mascherano. “Above all, it leaves us thinking that if we really want to compete, this is not the way. I’m sorry, but this is not the way.
“There was only one team on the pitch. There’s no excuse. Football is about tactics, organization and talent, but you also have to know that, in one-on-one situations, I’m better than you and you’re not going to beat me.”
Miami lose again without Messi
Mascherano had said it would be “crazy” to risk Messi, who is recovering from an injury to his right leg and has 13 goals and six assists in eight league games since Miami’s 3-0 defeat at home to Orlando on May 18.
Miami had beaten Pumas 3-1 at home to progress in the Leagues Cup on Thursday, scoring through Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende.
“It hurts me a lot because you can lose but the team didn’t have the tone, the intensity that the game needed,” said Mascherano.
“I don’t think it was a question of tiredness. Both teams came from the same hustle and bustle of the Leagues Cup. One team was hungrier than the other.
“We are all responsible for what happened. I’m most responsible. It really pains me to give the [performance] we did.
“This has to be a pivotal game from now until the end of the season. What do we want to be? It’s up to us – especially me – to convince the players that this can’t happen again.”
Orlando City: Muriel and Ojeda ‘extraordinary’
Orlando manager and former Colombia midfielder Oscar Pareja was suitably impressed as Muriel took his his season tally to 11 goals and seven assists and Ojeda registered his 17th goal and 17th assist across all competitions.
“Those chemistries, sometimes they come organically,” said Pareja, calling the connection between the pair “extraordinary”.
“As much as we want to coach and to be present in training and create sequences, the best you can have on a team is organic chemistry.
“It’s something that comes from their communion on the pitch. Now they’ve found, in those moments, things that are hard to explain.
“But it’s great to see and they know. I can see it on the training ground, I can see it in the locker room.”
Lus Muriel: Orlando ‘fighting for MLS title’
Orlando captain Robin Jansson called the atmosphere “electric” and “incredible”, noting that City have never lost in eight home games against Miami.
“These are the weeks and the games you dream about as a player,” added Muriel. “It is a unique feeling and I feel spectacular to be able to help my team in the way that I am.
“It felt fantastic to score so quickly in a game, in an atmosphere like that. I hope that we’re able to have the stadium like this in the games to come as we continue to push and fight for the title that so many people in Orlando want.”
Only two players have ever been on a longer streak of MLS goal contributions than Ojeda’s current run of 11, helping Orlando reach 50 league goals this season – the joint-highest alongside Miami and San Diego.
“The chemistry that’s there, Martin has with everybody,” said Muriel. “It’s not just with me. He’s having such an incredible season.
“Every single moment from Martin can be magic. I’m getting there as well. I’m having a great year – some moments better than others, such as right now.
“It all stems from the work that we all do in training and throughout the week.”
Orlando fixtures
Orlando are at home to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 BST on Sunday), facing opponents who are third-bottom of the Western Conference.
They then visit Toluca – currently fourth in Mexico’s Liga MX – in the Leagues Cup on August 21 (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT / 02:00 BST on August 22).
City are three points behind third-placed Nashville and seven shy of leaders Philadelphia, having played the same number of games.
Inter Miami fixtures
Top spot in the table remains in Miami’s hands because they have three more matches to play than Philadelphia with a nine-point gap on the summit.
Mascherano may be desperate to have eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi back when they host the LA Galaxy, who are rock-bottom of the Western Conference, on Saturday (19:30 ET / 16:30 PT / 00:30 BST on Sunday).
Tigres UANL, who are currently second in Mexico, visit in the Leagues Cup last eight on August 21 (20:00 ET / 17:00 PT / 01:00 BST on August 22).
Orlando team vs Inter Miami
Orlando midfielder Wilder Cartagena (left Achilles tendon surgery) and forward Yutaro Tsukada (left knee surgery) are out for the season, while Joran Gerbet (thigh) and Duncan McGuire (shoulder) were injured.
Forward Tyrese Spicer came off the bench after the Trinidad and Tobago forward signed from Toronto for up to $550,000 in General Allocation Money across two seasons.
Orlando starting XI: Gallese; Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo; Pasalic, Atuesta, Araujo, Angulo; Muriel, Ojeda
Inter Miami team vs Orlando
Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari returned from a hamstring injury for Miami.
On-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul made his MLS debut, having set up two goals in the Leagues Cup win against Necaxa and scored one against Pumas.
Inter Miami starting XI: Ustari; Fray, Falcon, Allen, Alba; Busquets, Bright; Allende, De Paul, Segovia; Suarez
