Orlando City Stuns Inter Miami 4-3 in Historic Comeback from 3-0 Deficit

Key facts

• Inter Miami led 3-0 after 33 minutes but lost 4-3 to Orlando City on May 2, 2026, in Miami.
• Martin Ojeda scored a hat trick for Orlando City, including the equalizer in the 80th minute.
• Tyrese Spicer scored the winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.
• Lionel Messi recorded a goal and two assists in his 100th appearance for Inter Miami.
• Inter Miami fell to 0-1-3 at their new Nu Stadium and remain winless at home this season.
• Orlando City, near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, secured only their third win of the season.
• Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos defended his players and closed his postgame press conference early.

A Three-Goal Lead Dissolves in Miami

Inter Miami appeared poised to secure their first victory at their new stadium, Nu Stadium, after racing to a 3-0 lead within the first 33 minutes. Lionel Messi, making his 100th appearance for the club, orchestrated the early onslaught with a goal and two assists. Ian Fray opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a header, Telasco Segovia doubled the lead in the 25th minute, and Messi added a long-range strike shortly after. But Orlando City, a team that entered the match near the bottom of the MLS standings, refused to capitulate. Martin Ojeda pulled one back just before halftime with a brilliant solo effort, spinning past a defender and unleashing a shot past Dayne St. Clair. The goal shifted the momentum, setting the stage for a second-half collapse that would stun the defending champions.

Ojeda's Hat Trick and Spicer's Late Winner

Orlando City continued their resurgence in the second half, leaning on direct soccer to exploit Inter Miami's defensive frailties. Ojeda scored his second goal in the 60th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The Argentine midfielder completed his hat trick in the 80th minute, converting a penalty to level the score at 3-3. With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Tyrese Spicer delivered the decisive blow in the third minute of stoppage time. Getting behind Inter Miami's defense, Spicer slotted home the winner, completing a 4-3 comeback that left the home crowd in disbelief. The goal marked the first time in MLS history that a team rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win, joining only Seattle's 4-3 win over D.C. United in 2017 and LA Galaxy's 4-3 victory over LAFC in 2018.

Messi's Milestone Overshadowed by Defensive Lapses

Lionel Messi's 100th appearance for Inter Miami was a tale of two halves. In the first half, he was at his playmaking best, registering a goal and two assists after failing to score or assist in his previous two games. But his contributions were not enough to mask the team's defensive shortcomings. Inter Miami's center backs, Micael and Maxi Falcón, endured a catastrophic night. Micael was caught flat-footed on counterattacks and struggled with passing, while Falcón lost all three of his duels, had no defensive actions, was dribbled past three times, and conceded the penalty that led to the equalizer. Noah Allen, the left back, failed to track Spicer on the winning goal. Interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, who took over after Javier Mascherano's sudden departure less than three weeks ago, defended his players but acknowledged the defensive issues.

A Historic Collapse and Its Immediate Aftermath

The loss snapped Inter Miami's 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and their nine-match unbeaten run in MLS play. They fell from second to third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of five wins, two losses, and four ties. For Orlando City, the victory was only their third of the season, leaving them in 13th place with three wins, seven losses, and one tie. In the locker room afterward, Messi called the outcome "unacceptable," a sentiment echoed by Ian Fray. "We all agree with him," Fray said. "It is unacceptable." Fray also expressed frustration with the officiating, hinting at a pattern of poor decisions from the referee, but stopped short of criticizing further to avoid a fine. Noah Allen described the feeling as "devastating," comparing it to a breakup.

Winless at Nu Stadium: A Growing Concern

Inter Miami's new stadium, Nu Stadium, has yet to witness a home win. The team has drawn three matches and lost one since the venue opened in early April, a run that includes ties against Austin FC, Red Bull New York, and the New England Revolution. Saturday's match was supposed to be the breakthrough, but instead it became the worst loss of the season. "That's the toughest thing. We still haven't won here yet," Fray said. "This was supposed to be the game, up 3-0, that we have to close out. And we missed a huge opportunity." The next opportunity to break the drought will come on May 17 against the Portland Timbers.

Goalkeeping Duel Amid the Chaos

Despite the high scoreline, both goalkeepers delivered notable performances. Dayne St. Clair made five saves for Inter Miami, including a stop with his face on a breakaway, but ultimately conceded four goals. His Canadian counterpart, Maxime Crépeau, was even busier, recording seven saves, including a mesmerizing four-save sequence that kept Orlando City in the match. St. Clair's performance earned a grade of D from analysts, who noted that without his efforts, the margin of defeat could have been larger. Crépeau, meanwhile, was instrumental in preserving the comeback, making crucial stops as Inter Miami pushed for a fifth goal.

What Comes Next for Both Sides

Inter Miami must regroup quickly to address their defensive vulnerabilities and home-field woes. Interim coach Hoyos, who closed his postgame press conference after a lengthy answer to the first question, faces the challenge of restoring confidence and tactical discipline. The team's next match is away, but the pressure to perform at Nu Stadium will only intensify. For Orlando City, the historic comeback could be a turning point in a struggling season. With only three wins, the victory provides a much-needed boost, but consistency remains elusive. The Lions will look to build on this result as they climb the Eastern Conference standings. The Florida Derby, already one of MLS's fiercest rivalries, now has a new chapter of drama and defiance.

The bottom line

• Orlando City became the third team in MLS history to win after trailing by three goals, with Martin Ojeda's hat trick and Tyrese Spicer's stoppage-time winner.
• Inter Miami remain winless at Nu Stadium (0-1-3) and saw their 11-match unbeaten streak end.
• Lionel Messi had a goal and two assists in his 100th appearance, but defensive errors by Micael and Maxi Falcón proved costly.
• Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos defended his players and declined to criticize them publicly after the loss.
• Orlando City's win was only their third of the season, lifting them from the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
• The match featured strong goalkeeping from both Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crépeau, with Crépeau making seven saves.