Kieran Gibbs’ first career MLS goal allowed Inter Miami to salvage a 1-1 tie with host Orlando City on Wednesday night.
Gibbs’ goal in the 66th minute helped Inter Miami (3-8-4, 13 points) improve to 1-0-2 over its past three matches after losing the previous six contests.
Antonio Carlos scored a goal late in the first half for Orlando City (8-4-5, 29 points), which is just 2-3-2 over its last seven matches.
Orlando City had a goal overruled in the 81st minute after Tesho Akindele tapped in a rebound following Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman’s block of a Kyle Smith shot. The officials reviewed video of the play, and Akindele was ruled offside.
The result was disappointing for Orlando City, which largely dominated play and held a 14-4 edge in shots against a Miami squad that entered with the fewest points in the league. The Lions put four shots on target to Miami’s two.
Marsman made three saves for Miami while counterpart Mason Stajduhar made none, but Smith made a stellar defensive play to prevent a Miami goal.
All-Star Nani set up the Orlando City goal by delivering a sharp cross to Antonio Carlos in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.
Antonio Carlos leaped to head the ball past Marsman into the left corner of the net for his first goal of the season.
After heading the ball, Carlos banged hands with Gibbs and fell to the turf. He eventually got up and walked off the field but didn’t return for the second half.
Victor Ulloa set up Gibbs for the tying marker in the second half. Gibbs was positioned well and sent a header past Stajduhar into the left corner of the net.
Eight minutes later, Orlando City had a chance to go back ahead, but Nani’s close-range left-footed shot was stopped by Marsman.
Orlando City outshot Miami 8-1 in the first half.
Miami’s first good opportunity to score came in the 52nd minute as Robbie Robinson worked his way in close and Stajduhar came out of the net and slid to hinder his path. Robinson lifted the ball toward the open net, but Smith was able to move into the area and head the ball out of bounds.
–Field Level Media