Inter Miami Player Ratings: 3-1 win vs. Orlando City
Lionel Messi, Robert Taylor, and Dixon Arroyo were among the top performers as the South Florida side knocked off its rivals to advance in the Leagues Cup
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi scoring goals. Inter Miami winning games.
Those ingredients are creating a new norm in South Florida.
Inter Miami advanced on Wednesday to the Round of 16 in the Leagues Cup via a 3-1 triumph over rivals Orlando City, and to no one’s surprise it was Messi who led the way for the South Florida side with a pair of goals in the controversial victory.
Messi was not the only player that shone for La Rosanegra, though. Robert Taylor also kept his good run of form going, Josef Martinez joined in on the attacking fun, and Dixon Arroyo kept quietly impressing for an Inter Miami team that controlled the tempo.
INTER MIAMI PLAYER RATINGS
Drake Callender (7) — Was not called upon to make many saves, but was confident coming off his line to make interventions aside from one occasion.
DeAndre Yedlin (7) — More selective in making runs forward, he defended capably while also giving the attack an added dimension when he moved up the field.
Sergii Kryvtsov (7) — Dominant in the air and solid overall, though he had trouble in some 1-on-1 battles and misplayed a couple of passes that could have proven costlier.
Kamal Miller (8) — Another silent but steady showing at the back in which he both broke things up and passed well.
Noah Allen (6) — Delivered a serviceable shift, overcoming some individual errors to play well in possession without being much of a threat in the attack.
Sergio Busquets (7.5) — Orlando City shadowed him well in the first half to limit his impact, but he was still savvy enough to find different areas to get on the ball and progress it forward with his silky smooth passes.
Dixon Arroyo (8) — Fulfilled his role and tactical responsibilities well, serving as an outlet to play through when Busquets was covered and badgering the Lion attackers.
Benjamin Cremaschi (7) — Needed to do better on the equalizer, but he hit the nice through ball that led to the decisive penalty and ran about on both sides of the ball with his usual determination.
Robert Taylor (7.5) — Dangerous in the final third and delivered a great assist to Messi early. His disappearance for a large stretch in first half hurt the team, though.
Lionel Messi (8.5) — Could have been sent off for his needless challenge away from the ball, but was lethal with his finishing yet again. The chest control on the opener was both gorgeous and sublime.
Josef Martinez (7) — Continued to terrorize the Lions by astutely winning and converting the decisive penalty while also delivering a heads-up assist.
Jordi Alba (7) — Looked very sharp in his team debut, passing the ball well while demonstrating his trademark clean touch down the left flank.
Diego Gomez (6) — Nerves got the best of him early on in his first appearance, but he settled and ate a ton of ground to provide promising glimpses of what may be to come.
David Ruiz (4.5) — Did not find the flow of the game after entering in the final stages.
Leonardo Campana (N/A) — Minimal touches and impact in his late cameo, though he could have scored a goal had Taylor been less selfish.
Victor Ulloa (6) — Helped see the game through by breaking up a few plays in the defensive third.
Gerardo Martino (6.5) — His team bossed possession and never looked second-best, but he was out-coached in the first half before benefitting from a controversial call that helped pave the way for a third straight win.
What a world of difference these players make both in dictating the tempo, and finishing positive plays.