Inter Miami Earned A Point In Orlando With A 1-1 Draw In The Sunshine Classic

Exploria Stadium- A fully loaded Orlando City squad could only muster a 1-1 draw at home against an Inter Miami team that was missing its three big-name players, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. David Ruiz scored for Miami, and Duncan McGuire equalized for Orlando. However, the 1-1 draw was a golden point for the Herons that started four teenagers, Noah Allen, David Ruiz, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Tomas Aviles.

Starting XI

Tata Martino decided on a 4-4-2 formation to face Orlando City on the road. He paired Josef Martinez and Leonardo Campana in the front of the attack. Next, the teenage midfielders David Ruiz and Benjamin Cremaschi flanked Dixon Arroyo in the middle of the pitch. Also, teens Noah Allen and Tomas Aviles joined veterans DeAndre Yedlin and Sergeii Kryvtsov on the back line, with super Drake Callender in goal.

On paper it looks like Tata has decided on a 4-4-2 formation with Josef Martinez & Leonardo Campana 🔔 teaming up to spearhead the attack…Competitive team that should challenge Orlando tonight…Looking for a positive result…#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/AgcuxmybCw

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 24, 2023

Kick Off

Orlando City was all over Inter Miami in the first half, dictating possession and the tempo of the match. Further, near the 29th minute, Duncan McGuire failed to score on a clear opportunity. Unsurprisingly, Drake Callender made a great save.

Drake doing Drake things, blocking a clear opportunity for Orlando keeping #InterMiami in the match…#MLS https://t.co/WFl1nEoehC

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 25, 2023

Leo Campana had a header blocked by Pedro Gallese near the 42nd minute, one of Miami’s few chances in the first half. Finally, neither Orlando nor Miami effectively capitalized on their chances and the teams went scoreless into the break.

Second Period

Inter Miami surprisingly took the lead right out of the gates. David Ruiz tapped in the rebound off a left-footed rip By Josef Martinez in the 52nd minute. Undeniably, Pedro Gallese was unable to control the shot and the rebound was put into the back of the net by Ruiz.

Ruiz taps it in to give #InterMiami the 1-0 lead…#MLS https://t.co/M2KwRpOLqW

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) September 25, 2023

Unfortunately, Miami’s lead did not last long, as has often been the case. Shorthereafter, rookie phenom, Duncan McGuire took advantage of an errant defensive touch by Robert Taylor and pummeled a shot through Callender’s legs for the tying goal. Orlando tied the match and regained momentum.

The impressive rookie season for Duncan McGuire continues! 👏

His 9th goal @OrlandoCitySC equalizes the score against Inter Miami. pic.twitter.com/O6P188gejz

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 25, 2023

Orlando continued to claw forward looking for the win at home, but alas it was not to be. Inter Miami CF and its band of misfit teenagers gallantly took a point home from Orlando against enormous odds.

Postgame

Coach Tata Martino spoke about his satisfaction with the team’s effort in a match where they were short-handed, on the road, and in a tough venue,

But if you think about it as an isolated match, the truth is that I’m very satisfied because we made a joint effort tonight

Effort is the key word when describing Miami’s night in Orlando. In order for Miami to go home with a point, each player that donned the Inter Miami uniform put their blood, sweat, and tears into that match. Those types of matches forge character in young players, strengthening their physical and mental aptitudes. David Ruiz, Noah Allen, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Tomas Aviles went into a slugfest in Orlando and came out standing. These teenagers have earned some stripes and some respect.

Final Thoughts

Orlando City SC was prepared to provide their fans a reason to party Sunday night in Exploria Stadium, but Inter Miami didn’t get the memo. In a season where Miami’s wins have been called scripted, the Herons didn’t follow the script in Orlando.  Actually, the Teenage Mutant Futbol players delivered a heroic performance, one to talk about.

Four valiant young players went into the Lion’s Den and came out alive. A tough and rough match worthy of a Sunshine Classic was played with the odds stacked against them.  Allen, Aviles, Cremaschi, and Ruiz performed under adverse conditions, showing that although they are young, they too can bang with the best of them.

Inter Miami needs to keep the US Open Cup home by any means necessary come Wednesday night. The Cup must stay in Miami, and Houston needs to fly back empty-handed. If Messi plays or if he doesn’t play the result needs to be the same. Big clubs win trophies, they find a way. Consequently, the Herons are showing signs that they are that type of club. So, on Wednesday night they need to ratify it.

📸Credit: Inter Miami CF