Inter Miami CF II suffered its second loss of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season after a 2-0 loss against Orlando City B this Sunday evening at Osceola Heritage Park.
The starting XI for Federico Higuain’s squad featured CJ Dos Santos in goal; Nyk Sessock, Tyler Hall, Farid Sar-Sar, and Israel Boatwright in defense; David Ruiz, captain Benjamin Cremaschi, and Joseph Convers controlling the midfield; Edison Azcona, Jake LaCava, and Lucas Meek leading the attack.
Orlando City B opened up the scoring in the fourth minute of the match with an early goal, when Favian Loyola found Jack Lynn in the box for a clear header towards goal.
Inter Miami II fought back with a scoring opportunity of their own with an Azcona cross to Ruiz in the box as well as three shots, including an Azcona free kick that missed just high. In the 40th minute, however, Orlando City scored again with a goal from Loyola, ending the first half 2-0.
Looking to add a spark to the second half, Inter Miami II made four changes that saw substitute Ezequiel Abadia-Reda, Lawson Sunderland, Lorenzo D’Agostini, and Dairon Reyes enter the game.
As the second half progressed, Inter Miami II had many chances of its own to shorten the deficit, including a header by Sunderland and an on-target shot by Azcona in the last minutes of the game. In total, the team tallied six shots in the second half.
Despite the result, Dominican international Boatwright excelled in the backline, involving himself in 17 duels and winning six tackles, preventing Orlando City B to extend its lead.
The team will continue its road trip, as Inter Miami CF II is set to face Crown Legacy FC on Friday, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews.
