Inter Miami, featuring Argentine star Lionel Messi, defeated Orlando City 4-2 in the 'Clásico del Sol' during the second round of the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer in the United States. At Inter&Co stadium, the team of Argentine Javier Mascherano faced the team of Colombian Óscar Pareja in another edition of this classic, where the Florida-based teams were seeking their first win in this MLS after a 3-0 defeat in their debut against Los Angeles. According to the Argentine News Agency, the match started unfavorably for Inter Miami as, at the 18th and 24th minutes of the first half, the Croatian Marco Pasalic and Argentine Martín Ojeda scored the 2-0 with which Orlando City went into halftime. The current MLS champion narrowed the deficit at the 4th minute of the second half with a goal from Argentine Mateo Silvetti, assisted by Venezuelan Telasco Segovia and a mid-range shot that stuck in the right post of Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Segovia again, after a cut to the right in the center of the area, served it to Argentine Messi who adjusted it to his left foot and took a precise cross-shot at medium height that was unsaveable for goalkeeper Crépeau, thus making it 2-2 at the 12th minute of the second half. After two assists, the Venezuelan was rewarded in the match with five minutes to go when, after a full run by Argentine Germán Berterame and a shot to the right post, the ball rebounded off Colombian Eduard Atuesta and was left for Segovia who opened his foot and placed the ball in the bottom right corner of goalkeeper Crépeau. At the 45th minute and with Orlando City committed to finding the equalizer, Messi led the Inter Miami counter-attack but, upon reaching the center of the area, he was brought down by Colin Guske who saw his second yellow card and was sent off. The Argentine star converted this free kick into a goal, with a shot over the wall that dipped and went into the bottom right corner of the Orlando City goalkeeper. Thus, Inter Miami secured its first win in this MLS season, and the Argentine captain scored his first two goals of the year.
