Inter Miami 5-0 Orlando: Messi and Suarez score two each as Inter put five past visitors

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both netted a pair of goals apiece, leading Inter Miami to a dominant 5-0 victory over Orlando City in Major League Soccer this past Saturday.

Florida rivals Orlando came in second place in the Eastern Conference last season and were seen as strong contenders for this season's MLS Cup. However, they were clearly outperformed by Miami right from the start.

Suarez may have struggled with sharpness and match fitness in his first two matches, but the 37-year-old prolific top scorer for Gremio in Brazil last season proved any doubts about his abilities wrong in the final third.

"I am delighted for him, that he managed to score. We were confident regardless, we are aware of Luis' capabilities and what he can achieve, and everyone is aware of it," Messi stated.

"That's just the way he is, when you least anticipate it, he turns the game around for you like he did today, with both goals and assists."

Suarez scored within just four minutes to put Miami on the scoreboard, showcasing his first goal for the new club in a powerful manner by converting a low cross from Julian Gressel with a strong first-time shot inside the near post.

Seven minutes later, Suarez increased his tally with Gressel once again providing the assist to the Uruguayan, who demonstrated excellent close control in the box before slotting the ball into the corner.

Miami dominated the game, with the audience enjoying some delightful touches from Messi, although it was Suarez, his former Barcelona teammate, who was causing the most damage.

In the 29th minute, Robert Taylor made it 3-0 after Gressel's brilliant play split the Orlando defenders, finding Suarez, who unselfishly set up Taylor for an easy tap-in.

Messi then scored a trademark curling free-kick from 30 yards out against the post, and shortly after, he delivered a classy through ball to Suarez, who found the back of the net. However, his hopes of celebrating a hat-trick were dashed by an offside call.

Orlando came out aggressively in the second half, looking for a way back into the game, but they were left frustrated when Martin Ojeda's goal was disallowed for offside.

Miami quickly regained their rhythm, with Messi narrowly missing the target in the 54th minute and Gressel hitting the crossbar after a clever exchange with Suarez.

Jordi Alba, another former Barcelona player in Miami's ranks, set up the fourth goal by bursting down the flank, combining with Suarez, and sending the ball towards the goal. Orlando's captain Robin Jansson's clearance hit the bar and Messi was there to score.

Suarez was eager for his hat-trick, but when he found space in the left channel, he spotted Messi at the back post and delivered a perfectly weighted cross with his left foot, allowing the Argentine to head the ball into the far corner.

Messi expressed his satisfaction with the team's progress and emphasized the importance of winning the recent match to continue their growth. He believes that this success will make them stronger for future challenges.

In another match, the defending MLS champions, Columbus Crew, were held to a 1-1 draw by Minnesota United, a team considered to be less favored. Colombian striker Cucho Hernandez scored for the Crew, but Minnesota managed to equalize in stoppage time through Tani Oluwaseyi.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC, the runners-up of MLS 2023, suffered a 3-0 defeat against Real Salt Lake in snowy conditions. Andres Gomez scored two goals for the home side. LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo was furious with the decision to proceed with the game, considering the unfavorable weather conditions.

He criticized the event, stating that it was one of the worst professional sporting events he had ever witnessed. Cherundolo believed that the game should have been called off and expressed his disappointment for subjecting the players to such conditions.

On another note, the Los Angeles Galaxy secured a 3-1 victory against San Jose in their Californian clash.