Three observations from Inter Miami's huge 4-2 win over Orlando City

Inter Miami earned its first win of the season the hard way, going into the Lion’s den to beat cross-state rivals Orlando City 4-2. 

In a match that started on the wrong foot, the Herons initially lined up in a 4-2-3-1, which was immediately exposed by Orlando’s front three. 

In the 18th and 24th minutes, the Lions managed to carve apart Miami’s midfield, opening up an early 2-0 lead.

A fiery halftime talk and some tactical adjustments later, Miami managed to climb back into the match, thanks to a well-worked goal by Mateo Silvetti in the 49th minute. 

Lionel Messi would subsequently add to Orlando’s suffering, scoring eight minutes later to tie the game.

After that, the Men in Pink kept up the pressure, scoring in the 85th and 90th minutes to earn Miami’s first win of the season.

Here are Three Observations from Miami’s first three points of the year versus Orlando. 

1.) Solid Tactical Changes

The first half of this match was a tactical mess for Miami. 

There was no rhythm, nor flow, and Orlando could easily bypass Miami’s press and directly cause problems for their back line.

That changed in the second half when Javier Mascherano switched to a quasi-back three, which saw Micael play as a left-back in place of Noah Allen, who was substituted out for Silvetti. 

This allowed Miami to play with two wide players (Allende and the aforementioned Silvetti), which helped the front line stretch the field.

Because of the duo’s pace and technical ability, Orlando had trouble containing Miami’s attack on the flanks, which led to more space and freedom for Messi to find pockets of space in the final third:

Miami’s ability to play a more free-flowing football in the second half was because Mascherano did the right thing and brought on more pace to expose the opposition.  

2.) German Berterame is trying.... No! Really!

Though he’s yet to score, the hard work that German Berterame is putting in doesn’t go unnoticed.

Leading up to Telasco Segovia’s game-clinching goal, the Mexico international ran down a loose ball that could’ve ended up DOA.

Instead, he hustled hard, shook off his defender to get to the end line, which saw him pick out the tertiary run of the young Venezuelan:

Without his determination to track the ball down, that goal wouldn't have happened. Kudos to him.

3.) Simplemente Lionel Messi

Despite being 38 years old, Lionel Messi continues to show that he’s not slowing down anytime soon. 

The World Cup winner had a phenomenal match, ending the game with two goals, opening his 2026 scoring account. 

Even without the likes of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the Argentine is still having tons of fun out there as well:

For Inter Miami fans, what could be better?