Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF shared the points in their Heineken Rivalry Week match on Friday night, battling to a 0-0 draw at Exploria Stadium.
Orlando carried play through the match's opening portion but failed to put one past Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman. They looked to be on their way to breaking through in the 12th minute after Nicolas Figal committed a handball in the box, but Marsman easily stopped the resulting Tesho Akindele penalty kick to keep the match scoreless.
Miami eventually grew into the match and nearly scored in the 22nd minute on a corner kick, but Pedro Gallese somehow kept out an attempt by Rodolfo Pizarro right in front of the net.
Orlando appeared to have taken the lead in the 24th minute via a Robin Jansson strike from beyond the box – but Video Review determined that the goal wouldn't count after the ball glanced off Akindele's foot in an offside position. Meanwhile, Miami had a goal of their own waved off in first-half stoppage time from an offside call.
The closest either team came to scoring in the second half was in the 84th minute, as Marsman produced a big save on an Antonio Carlos header following an Orlando corner kick.
Goals
- None
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Don't look now, but Miami are inching closer to the Eastern Conference playoff line. But Orlando saw several chances go by the wayside in the latest chapter of this Florida derby. And despite Oscar Pareja's attempts to add a spark by bringing in Daryl Dike to start the second half – his first appearance for Orlando since July 3 – and inserting Nani for the final 15 minutes, the Lions couldn’t capitalize.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: This Antonio Carlos header could very well have been an Orlando goal. Marsman, though, used quick reflexes to thwart the hosts’ most threatening opportunity with a big save.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Despite being credited with just two saves, Marsman made them both count, especially on Antonio Carlos' bid at a possible match-winner with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Next Up
- ORL: Saturday, September 4 vs. Columbus Crew | 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
- MIA: Saturday, September 4 at FC Cincinnati | 8:00 p.m. ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
