1. What a way to christen Miami's new home, huh? The first team to ever win a match at Inter Miami CF's Nu Stadium was none other than its in-state rival on Saturday night, as Orlando City SC completed a 4-3 comeback win in dramatic fashion. With the win, the Lions became just the fourth team in MLS history, and first since 2018, to win after being down three goals in a match
2. The match didn't get off to a great start for the Lions. Within the first five minutes, Orlando found itself down 1-0 thanks to a header from Ian Frey. It got worse as the half went on, with Miami creating a multitude of chances, eventually taking a 3-0 lead in the 33rd minute. It almost felt an impossible mountain to climb from that point. Almost.
3. Orlando managed to pull one back just six minutes later. A powerful header from captain Robin Jansson suddenly found Justin Ellis in space. He had a quick touch over to Martín Ojeda, who took his own touch to create space and then smashed the ball from outside the box to beat Drake Callendar and pull one back. It was a moment that kick-started the Lions' comeback, and for Tincho, his night was just getting started.
4. The halftime adjustments were everything. Interim Head Coach Martín Perelman made multiple changes at the break, with Tiago and Luis Otávio coming off and Tyrese Spicer and Eduard Atuesda coming in. Perelman switched to a system that allowed the players more space, almost bypassing the midfield at times and allowing Miami space, which ended up benefiting Orlando tremendously. The inclusion of Duncan McGuire, coming back from injury, was a massive boon as well, with his ability to stretch the field and open spaces for Ojeda to capitalize on.
5. Going back to Ojeda. His second goal was almost as impressive as the first. After some good runs into the box and a recycled ball out to Adrían Marín, the defender drove towards the box and found Ojeda on the right edge of the half circle outside the box. Another quick touch, another snapshot with his left, and another goal for the Lions' talisman. All of a sudden, the lions found themselves within a goal.
6. Ten minutes later, Orlando was on the front foot. The lions seemed to have the momentum, and a push in the back of Iago by Falcón gifted Orlando with an opportunity to tie the game. A penalty inside the box, Ojeda stepped up and sent Drake Callendar the wrong way, leveling the game at three and securing Tincho's second-ever hat-trick with Orlando.
7. From that point on, it almost felt like it was Orlando's game. They were finding the spaces going forward. They were the ones creating the best chances as the minutes ticked away. The final big attack of the game for Orlando proved to be the only one they needed. After McGuire laid a ball off to Braian Ojeda, the midfielder fizzed a pass into the attacking third of Miami. Ojeda, who was in an offside position, let the ball run past him, allowing a sprinting Tyrese Spicer to get onto it. His game-changing speed allowed him to beat his man to the ball, get one-v-one with the goalkeeper, and finish through Callendar's legs to give Orlando an improbable lead on the road.
8. It was yet another goal for Spicer in a series of big moments for him over the last couple weeks. Scoring a banger against FC Naples, another banger against D.C. United and causing chaos in the Open Cup match against New England on Wednesday. This moment etches the Lions forward into the lore of the club forevermore as the man who scored the game-winner in the team's first match in Miami.
9. A special shoutout to goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, who came up with seven important saves, three of them coming in one possession. Facing 25 shots by Miami, the Canadian keeper stood firm and kept Orlando in the match.
10. Orlando will finally get a normal week next week as they won't have a midweek match for the first time in 3 weeks. They will now get ready to go back on the road, this time up to Canada to face CF Montréal next Saturday.
