Through the first stretch of the 2026 MLS season, Inter Miami hasn’t been able to find any consistency. The reigning MLS Cup champions were expected to carry over their incredible MLS Playoffs form into 2026, but that hasn’t been the case.
Manager Javier Mascherano resigning a few games into the season certainly hasn’t helped, but the team continues to showcase its worst flaws at the worst moments. That was absolutely the case on Saturday night, when Inter Miami blew a 3-0 lead and ended up losing 4-3 against fierce rivals Orlando City.
Lionel Messi did what he always does, helping set up Ian Fray’s opening goal, then assisting on Telasco Segovia’s tally before scoring a vintage goal to make it 3-0 after 33 minutes. Messi looked as spry as ever, fueled by an Orlando City squad that always gets under his skin.
Orlando City become only the third occasion of a three-goal winning comeback in MLS history
But once again, Inter Miami’s defense struggled to maintain their advantage. Martin Ojeda scored a scintillating left-footed strike before halftime, then narrowed the lead further in the 68th minute. An unnecessary penalty was then conceded by Maxi Falcon only 10 minutes later, as Ojeda completed his hat-trick and tied the game.
Orlando wasn’t done, though, with Tyrese Spicer breaking through behind the Miami backline in stoppage time and giving the visitors an improbable 4-3 lead. Orlando held on to pick up just their third win of the season.
Miami’s strikers missed some chances, but Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau wasn’t even forced to make a save in the second half. Ultimately it was the team’s inability to bear down, control the tempo of the game and maintain their lead that came back to haunt them. Even with Mascherano gone, the same faults continue to show up.