Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, renowned for their scoring prowess during their tenure at Barcelona, showcased their brilliance once again as Inter Miami secured a commanding 5-0 victory over local rivals Orlando City at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi demonstrated his lethal finishing with two goals in quick succession early in the second half, bringing his tally for the season to three goals in as many games. Meanwhile, Suárez, the latest addition to Inter Miami's roster and Messi's former teammate, made an immediate impact with two goals and two assists in his third MLS appearance.
Suárez emphasized the chemistry between him and Messi, stating, "He knows everything about me, and I think we will continue to do so." This sentiment was echoed by their fellow former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who also joined Inter Miami last summer.
Inter Miami's dominance was evident throughout the match, with Robert Taylor adding a fifth goal to seal the victory. The team's unbeaten start to the season marks a historic milestone, with two wins and a draw in their first three games.
The match witnessed a seamless combination of passes and clinical finishing from Inter Miami's attacking trio, with Suárez orchestrating goals for both Messi and Taylor. Messi's first goal came from a rebound off the crossbar, while his second was a well-timed header from Suárez's precise cross.
Manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, praising Suárez's contributions in both scoring and assisting. Martino also highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean sheet, emphasizing the collective effort of the team.
However, tensions arose towards the end of the first half as Suárez engaged in a verbal altercation with Orlando players, setting the stage for an intense rivalry between the two sides.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami faces a busy schedule with seven matches scheduled for the month, while Messi is also set to feature in two exhibition games for Argentina in the United States later in March. Martino emphasized the need to manage Messi's playing time carefully amidst the packed fixture list.
Prior to kickoff, a referee change occurred, with Jaime Herrera replacing Guilherme Ceretta due to potential conflicts of interest arising from social media photos.
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