Inter Miami’s poor form continued after they were thrashed by Orlando City in their Major League Soccer clash on Sunday evening. The Herons were looking to return to winning ways having won just one of their last six matches going into the Florida Derby at the Chase Stadium.
But they were unable to pick up all three points yet again as Javier Mascherano’s side fell to a 3-0 defeat in front of their home fans. Orlando City went into half-time with a one-goal advantage courtesy of Sevilla and AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca.
Inter Miami were unable to turn the game on its head as second-half goals from Marco Pasalic and Dagur Dan Þórhallsson gave the away side the victory.
Lionel Messi Calls Out Referees After Match
He was angry about Orlando City’s opening goal
Lionel Messi fumed at the referee in Inter Miami’s match against San Jose in midweek and he was not happy with the officials again against Orlando City. In the 42nd minute, Messi was convinced that Inter Miami should have been awarded an indirect free-kick inside Orlando’s box following a back pass. Pedro Gallese went unpunished, though, and the Orlando City goalkeeper proceeded to pick Bacca out with a fantastic pass, with the Colombian then firing his side in front.
Messi, Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez then vented their frustration at referee Guido Gonzales Jr. The Argentine has now claimed that Gonzales told him that he didn’t know the rule and urged the MLS to investigate their referees. Messi is quoted as saying by Relevo, per the Mirror:
“It was a strange play, where one of their players passed to the goalkeeper, and the referee himself told me he didn’t know the rule, that he didn’t think so, that he didn’t understand it… And, well, that’s where the ball hit the ball and the goal came.
“But the truth is that sometimes there are specific errors like last game, you know? They’re not excuses, but something always happens with the referees on a specific play. I think MLS should look a little more closely at the refereeing issue.”
Messi also called for his team to stick together through their rough patch of form. He added: “Now we’ll truly see if we’re a team, in the tough moments, because when everything’s going well it’s very easy, but when difficult moments like now arrive, that’s when we have to be more united than ever, be a true team, and pull this through.
“I think we have what it takes, so let’s start thinking about what’s next and preparing for the Philadelphia game.”
Inter Miami have slipped to sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference. They are next in action on Saturday May 24 when they take on Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park.