Inter Miami CF (8W-2L-4D, 28 points) secured a point tonight in a hard-fought goalless draw on the road against rivals Orlando City SC to extend the team’s unbeaten run this regular season to eight. Drake Callender led a stellar defensive line with a solid display in goal at INTER&Co Stadium and secured a third clean sheet this campaign.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami started off the match with two changes to the starting XI from the team’s win over CF Montréal over the weekend. Callender featured in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Nicolás Freire and Franco Negri made up a backline of four; Julian Gressel, Sergio Busquets and Benjamin Cremaschi started in midfield; Matías Rojas and Robert Taylor flanked forward Luis Suárez in attack.
Notably, left back Jordi Alba featured in a team matchday squad for the first time since sustaining an injury in the road win over Sporting Kansas City on April 13. Additionally, goalkeeper Callender wore the captain’s armband on the night in the absence of Lionel Messi.
Match Action
The first 45 minutes of action in Orlando presented an even matchup. Inter Miami came close to opening the scoring early on with opportunities from Suárez and Taylor inside the box in the second and sixth minutes of action respectively, but a stop from the Orlando’s keeper and a defensive clearance prevented the visitor’s from scoring the go-ahead goal.
On the defensive end, the backline came up big with several notable interventions throughout the half. Notably, in the 31st minute, Callender reacted quickly with a diving save to deny an attempt from midfielder Martin Ojeda inside the box to keep Orlando scoreless. The scoreline subsequently remained unmoved and the match went into the half scoreless.
The second half followed suit, with a balanced matchup presenting limited opportunities in attack for both sides.
Inter Miami made its first two substitutions of the match in the 64th minute, with Alba and forward Leonardo Campana coming on in place of Negri and Suárez. The appearance marked Alba’s return after missing the team’s past four fixtures through injury.
Ten minutes later, a great combination of passes between Busquets and Alba finished off with a sublime ball into space for Alba on the left end of the opponent’s box. The left back then delivered a one-time grounded cross to the center, but his delivery was cleared before any of Alba’s Inter Miami teammates could meet the ball.
The 0-0 scoreline then remained unchanged throughout the remaining minutes and Inter Miami claimed a point on the road against its rivals to remain atop the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Post-Match Reaction
"I think that we were a very solid team defensively tonight. And that's what stood out most to me...On the other side I think that we were an organized team that played out of the back well and circulated the ball well,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
Next Match
Next, Inter Miami will face a quick turnaround, as the team is set to host D.C. United at Chase Stadium this Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 ET in the team’s upcoming regular season matchup.
Stats
Possession:
ORL - 42.7%
MIA - 57.3%
Shots:
ORL - 14
MIA - 6
Saves:
ORL - 3
MIA - 3
Corners:
ORL - 8
MIA - 4
Fouls:
ORL - 7
MIA - 11
