A Preseason Showdown for the Ages
Okay, so picture this: February 14th, 2025, Raymond James Stadium. Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC going head-to-head in a preseason clash. Reported by Orlando Sentinel's Kyle Foley, it was *everything* you'd want from a Florida derby – skill, drama, missed chances, and a whole lot of last-minute craziness. It ended 2-2, leaving fans buzzing and both teams with plenty to think about.
A Rollercoaster Ride
It was back and forth from the whistle. Orlando City jumped out to an early lead in the 15th minute. MartĂn Ojeda, with a cheeky chip over the keeper – assisted by Iván Angulo – put them up 1-0. Honestly, it was a thing of beauty. But Inter Miami weren’t about to let that stand. They fired back, leveling the score in the 22nd minute with a slick goal from Tadeo Allende, set up by Luis Suárez. The first half? A whirlwind of attacks and near misses.
The second half was more of the same. Orlando City edged back ahead in the 54th minute. An Inter Miami defensive slip-up gifted Ojeda the ball, and he brilliantly teed up Ramiro Enrique for the goal. You know how sometimes things just spiral? It kinda felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck for Inter Miami fans… until it wasn’t.
Then, boom! In the 93rd minute, Fafa Picault slams home a rebound, assisted by Robert Taylor, to snatch a dramatic equalizer. 2-2. Final whistle. Pure pandemonium.
Star Power and Key Moments
Ojeda's Masterclass: Let's talk about Ojeda. One goal, one assist. The guy was on fire. He was a serious problem for Inter Miami's defense all night.
Inter Miami's Big Four: They trotted out their star-studded lineup – Messi, Suárez, Busquets, and Alba. A clear statement of intent for the upcoming season. They showed up ready to play.
Messi's Silent Impact: Messi himself didn’t find the back of the net, but his presence was felt. His movement, his vision – it completely changed the way Inter Miami attacked.
That Late, Late Goal: Picault's equalizer? Pure magic. The tension in the stadium was palpable. The kind of moment that makes preseason games so memorable.
Orlando City's Preseason Wrap-Up
For Orlando City, the draw marked the end of their preseason. Coach Oscar Pareja seemed pretty happy overall, despite not getting the win. He praised his team's performance against a very strong Inter Miami side, pointing out a few missed chances that could've changed the game. They're now focused on their home opener against the Philadelphia Union on February 22nd.
What's Next?
This game gave us a tasty appetizer of what to expect from both teams this season. The talent on display was undeniable. The rivalry? Fierce. This preseason clash was a fantastic preview of what's sure to be a thrilling MLS season. Get ready, Florida soccer fans – it's going to be a wild ride!
