ORLANDO, Fla. (July 10, 2022) - Orlando City SC (8-7-4, 28 points) earned a 1-0 victory over intrastate rival Inter Miami CF (6-8-4, 22 points) on Saturday night at Exploria Stadium. With the victory, the Lions are now unbeaten in five-straight matches against their neighbors to the south across all competitions.
The two sides had to wait quite some time to take part in their first regular season matchup of 2022, with a near three-hour rain delay pushing the match to a 10:25 p.m. kickoff. Following 90 minutes of play, the sides remained scoreless, until a cross from Jake Mulraney whipped in from the left side deflected off Inter Miami’s Damion Lowe for an own goal to decide the match in stoppage time.
With the clean sheet, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese matched his single-season high with his seventh shutout of the campaign. In addition, defender Robin Jansson set a new Club-record with his 92nd start for the Lions in league play, surpassing former City goalkeeper Joe Bendik, while teammate Benji Michel became the first Homegrown in Club history to reach 100 appearances in all competitions.
The Lions return to the field on Wednesday, July 13, traveling to take on the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in a 9 p.m. ET kickoff.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“Very intense game as you all saw. I have to recognize first the energy from our fans, waiting a couple hours and staying in the rain and waiting for the team and keeping that same energy the whole game. I thought we enjoyed that victory a lot, not just because of the three points but because it is a derby. I know the fans will enjoy it and recognize it. For the boys, I thought today was not an easy game after our last game and they bounced back. We know we have a lot of things to work [on], but today we deserved those three points and we will take it. Very proud.”
Scoring Recap:
90+2’ Damion Lowe (Own Goal) - ORL 1, MIA 0
The Lions found the breakthrough courtesy of an own goal from Inter Miami CF defender Damion Lowe. Lions forward Jake Mulraney received the ball on the left flank and sent a firing ball into the box which Lowe tried to clear, but instead the ball was sent into the back of his own net.
Match Notes:
- With the victory, the Lions are unbeaten in their last five affairs with their neighbors to the south, holding a 2-0-3 record since the start of the 2021 campaign in all competitions.
- Pedro Gallese matched his single-season high with his seventh clean sheet of 2022, extending his own Club-record with his 18th as a Lion in all competitions.
- Mikey Halliday returned to the field for the first time since lifting the U-20 CONCACAF Championship with the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team, entering the game in the 87th minute for Ruan.
- Due to thunderstorms in the area, the two sides were forced into a two hour and 41-minute delay, marking the first delay of the season for the Lions.
- Robin Jansson tallied his 92nd start in MLS play, surpassing former Lion Joe Bendik (91) for the Club-record.
- Benji Michel tallied his 100th appearance on the night across all competitions, getting the start for the Lions. Michel becomes the first Homegrown to reach the century mark with the Club and the fifth player all time.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from the Lions’ last match, with Michel, César Araújo and Facundo Torres all getting the nod.
Next Match: The Lions face a quick turnaround, heading out west to take on the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, July 13 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in a 9 p.m. ET kickoff.
