LIONEL MESSI recorded a brace, Telasco Segovia scored the tiebreaking goal in the 85th minute and assisted on two others and Inter Miami dominated the second half to record a 4-2 comeback victory over host Orlando City on Sunday night.
Mateo Silvetti added a goal and an assist in Inter Miami’s four-goal second half that erased a 2-0 deficit. The Herons (1-1-0, 3 points) bounced back from a 3-0 season-opening loss to Los Angeles FC.
Messi, who scored in the 57th and 90th minutes, has eight goals in five meetings against the Lions across all competitions.
Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda scored goals for Orlando City (0-2-0, 0 points).
Orlando was unable to clear the ball out of its zone on the tiebreaking sequence.
Miami’s German Berterame came up with the ball to begin the sequence. Segovia eventually received it and booted a right-footed shot into the net.
Three minutes later, Orlando City’s Colin Guske pulled Messi down and was given his second yellow card. The automatic upgrade to red led to Guske’s ejection, leaving the Lions with just 10 men for the rest of the match that included 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Messi then took a free kick from close range in the 90th minute and sent a left-footed shot past the wall and inside the left post to give the Herons a two-goal lead.
Dayne St. Clair made three saves for Miami, which outshot Orlando City, 16-12, and placed eight shots on target to the Lions’ five. Maxime Crepeau had four stops for Orlando City.
Orlando City won both regular-season meetings last season, prevailing by scores of 4-0 and 3-1.
Miami woke up fast after the halftime break.
Silvetti was beyond the box when he ripped a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net in the 49th minute. — Reuters
