Orlando City SC recorded one of the most remarkable results in MLS history on Saturday night, overcoming a three-goal deficit to beat rivals Inter Miami CF 4-3 at Nu Stadium.
However, trailing 3–0 after just 33 minutes, Orlando became only the fourth team in MLS history to win a match after trailing by three goals. Star Designated Player Martin Ojeda led the charge with a spectacular hat trick; he scored two goals from open play before clinically converting a 79th-minute penalty to make the score 3–3.
Inter Miami looked on course early, fueled by a goal and two assists from Lionel Messi. Miami had a 3-0 lead before Orlando started their unanswered four-goal streak.
“I’m so happy for Martín,” said interim head coach Martín Perelman. “Martín played 90 minutes and 72 hours ago. He doesn’t want to leave the field, not even for one second.”
“He is an exceptional player and I am so happy for him, and for us to have a player like him.”
The win marks a potential turning point for Orlando City (3-7-1), which has struggled at the bottom of the Eastern Conference but has now posted consecutive 4-3 wins.
“It reflects the work we’ve done,” Ojeda said. “The only way to make progress is to keep working. As a group, we are all very united and focused on the goals in front of us.”
“We did a fantastic job,” Perelman said. “Little by little we are getting closer to the team we want to be.”
