MIAMI — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead, against in-state rival Orlando City, on co-owner David Beckham’s 51st birthday no less, finally looking poised to get the long-awaited first win on its new home field.
Martin Ojeda and Orlando City had other ideas for the latest installment of the Florida Derby.
Ojeda scored three goals, Tyrese Spicer had the go-ahead goal in the third minute of stoppage time and the Lions stunned Inter Miami 4-3 on Saturday night — ending the reigning MLS champions’ 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Ojeda tallied his second career hat trick for Orlando and now has seven goals for the season. He hit the milestone last season against New England.
Messi had a goal, his eighth on the season, and two assists in his 100th appearance for the club, and somehow, that wasn’t enough against a team that came into the night near the bottom of the MLS standings. Inter Miami fell to 0-1-3 at its new stadium.
Ian Fray and Telasco Segovia also scored for Inter Miami, which was unbeaten (5-0-6) in its last 11 matches across all competitions and its last nine matches (5-0-4) in MLS play.
Orlando City (3-7-1) had won only two of its last 15 MLS matches — including playoffs — dating to last season. The Lions were also 0-4-1 on the road in MLS play this season before Saturday.
None of that mattered. Ojeda scored in the 39th minute to send Orlando into the half down 3-1. He scored again in the 68th minute to make matters interesting.
Too interesting from the Inter Miami perspective.
Ojeda had a great chance to tie it in the 73rd minute, alone on the right side of the box. But Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair came well off his line and made a point-blank save to keep the score 3-2.
Ojeda wouldn’t be denied, connecting on a penalty kick in the 78th minute to tie things up at 3-3. He had another chance in the 80th minute, with St. Clair stopping that one with his face — yes, his face — to keep the match tied.
Spicer eventually got the go-ahead goal for the visitors, his second of the season, Messi and the Herons kept arguing over what they felt were missed calls, and time ran out.
Tyrese Spicer (14) of Orlando City celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s fourth goal – the match-winner – during the MLS contest between Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC at Nu Stadium in Miami on Saturday. (Calvin Hernandez/Getty Images)
Orlando City is back in action next Saturday at Montreal, then hosts Philadelphia on May 13 and Atlanta on May 16 in MLS play; Atlanta on May 19 in U.S. Open Cup play; then visits Cincinnati on May 23 before the World Cup break.
Inter Miami has four matches left before MLS’ seven-week stoppage for the FIFA World Cup begins. None of those looming opponents — Toronto, Cincinnati, Portland and Philadelphia — was over the .500 mark entering Saturday.