Messi-less Inter Miami's Winning Streak Comes to an End at Orlando City

Messi-less Inter Miami's Winning Streak Comes to an End at Orlando City

Isaac Darko
May 16, 2024 at 2:05 AM
  • A Messi-less Inter Miami side dropped points again
  • The Miami-based club drew 0-0 with Red Bulls in the MLS
  • With Messi, Inter Miami had won five games on a trot

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Inter Miami's five-match winning run came to an end on Wednesday as, without the injured Lionel Messi, they were held to a 0-0 draw at Orlando City.

Messi had featured in all five of those wins for the MLS league leaders but sat out the game in Orlando due to a knee injury.

Miami said the injury was not serious and Messi has trained in recent days but the club opted not to feature him in the midweek fixture.

Luis Suarez and Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw at Orlando City in MLS on Wednesday.
Luis Suarez and Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw at Orlando City in MLS on Wednesday..Photo: Minas Panagiotakis.
Source: AFP

Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, who went into the midweek round of games as joint top-scorer in the league with 11 goals did start and he had the early chances.

The Uruguayan was picked out at the back post but his shot lacked power and was well dealt with by Orlando's Peruvian international keeper Pedro Gallese.

Paraguayan Matias Rojas and Suarez then combined well to set up Robert Taylor but the Finnish winger saw his effort block.

Orlando grew into the game though and Miami keeper Drake Callender had to be at his best to keep out a shot from Martin Ojeda after the Argentine had found space with a superb turn on the edge of the box.

Colombian Luis Muriel then tested Callender with a shot from the edge of the box but the two defences began to get a grip on the game.

Orlando had the best chance of the second half when Facundo Torres fed Muriel but the former Atalanta winger hesitated and was robbed inside the box.

In the last seconds, Orlando pushed forward in search of a winner and the ball fell to Japanese substitute Yutaro Tsukada but he screwed his shot high and wide.

Messi’s wayward free kick hits baby

Lionel Messi has developed a reputation for being pinpoint with his free kicks and is one player you want in your team to take one.

Against Orlando City, the World Cup winner lacked his usual finesse when taking a free kick and ended up putting it into the crowd.

Sports Brief reported that Messi's shot hit a baby girl in the stands, and social media couldn’t get over the unfortunate incident.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)