Inter Miami Vs Orlando City — inter miami vs orlando city Sunday Night Soccer preview and fallout
The Florida Derby produced a packed slate of storylines as inter miami vs orlando city moved from a Matchday 2 preview into a late comeback and a 4-2 result. Orlando City made three forced changes to its lineup before kickoff at 7 p. m. ET, and Lionel Messi produced a decisive response on the road for Inter Miami.
Orlando City make three lineup changes for Matchday 2 of the 2026 MLS regular season
Orlando City SC opened with three changes to the XI for game two of the 2026 MLS regular season after a late injury to Adrían Marín. Homegrown left back Tahir Reid-Brown was handed his first MLS start and his first MLS appearance tonight against the Herons; Reid-Brown spent the last three seasons playing with Orlando City B and had yet to make a first-team appearance until this match.
Nolan Miller also made his first MLS start after coming into the match last weekend after halftime, and he was paired with Reid-Brown on the left side to try to help shut down the Miami attack. The midfield slot that opened when Wilder Cartagena went out injured was filled by Colin Guske, who had come on against Red Bull New York and logged useful minutes heading into this fixture.
Inter Miami Vs Orlando City: Messi's comeback and a 4-2 result
Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back from two goals down to beat Orlando City 4-2 in the Florida derby. Orlando City went 2-0 up inside 25 minutes through Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda, but a stunning 25-yard drive from midfielder Mateo Silvetti just after half-time gave Miami renewed hope in Orlando.
The 38-year-old then drew Miami level with his first goal of the MSL season in the 57th minute, a left-footed strike from the edge of the area, and later set up Telasco Segovia to score with five minutes remaining. Messi sealed the comeback in the 90th minute when his low free-kick crept past Maxime Crepeau, and he celebrated with a signing gesture towards the touchline. Miami coach Javier Mascherano described Messi as a leader who both inspires and needs inspiration, praising his ability to create chances that turned the game around.
Immediate implications: stats, milestones and Miami's trip record
The brace marked Messi's first goals of the campaign and took his career total to 898 goals for club and country, including 79 in 90 appearances for Miami. The win was Miami's first in nine trips to Orlando. The reigning champions had lost their season opener against Los Angeles FC last month and now face a game away at DC United on Saturday.
Orlando's named starters and bench for the derby
Orlando City started Maxime Crépeau; Griffin Dorsey; David Brekalo; Nolan Miller; Tahir Reid-Brown; Marco Pašalić; Braian Ojeda; Colin Guske; Iván Angulo; Martín Ojeda; and Duncan McGuire. The substitutes listed were Javier Otero; Eduard Atuesta; Luís Otávio; Tyrese Spicer; Justin Ellis; Iago; Tiago; Zakaria Taifi; and Yutaro Tsukada.
Eduard Atuesta returned to the matchday squad after missing the opening game with injury, and Luís Otávio was available to potentially make his first appearance as a substitute.
