Mascherano Admits Inter Miami Were Outplayed in Florida Derby Defeat

In a night that proved humbling for Inter Miami, head coach Javier Mascherano didn’t hide behind excuses. After watching his side fall 4-1 to Orlando City in the Florida derby, the former Argentine international admitted the match was dominated from start to finish by their rivals.

From the opening moments, Orlando showed their intent. The atmosphere was electric, but before Miami could settle into the game, Luis Muriel stunned the crowd with a goal in just the second minute. The early strike set the tone for the evening, forcing Miami to chase the game almost immediately.

There was a brief spark of hope when young forward Bright scored his first senior goal only three minutes later. The equalizer injected some life into Miami’s attack, and for a short stretch, the match looked like it might develop into a tense derby battle. However, Orlando’s defensive organization and sharp transitions quickly put the visitors back under pressure.

Before halftime, Miami had a chance to take the lead, but a promising shot from Segovia was blocked inside the box. That missed opportunity proved costly. When the second half began, Orlando wasted no time regaining control. Muriel struck again, restoring their lead, before Martín Ojeda added a third goal to widen the gap.

Inter Miami’s defense struggled to contain Orlando’s pace and movement, and as the minutes ticked away, the home side’s confidence grew. In the 88th minute, Marco Pasalic sealed the night with a fourth goal, sending the Orlando fans into celebration and leaving Miami’s players visibly deflated.

Speaking after the match, Mascherano was brutally honest. “From the first whistle, there was only one team on the pitch. We weren’t aggressive enough, we didn’t compete with the intensity this type of game demands. As the coach, I take full responsibility for that,” he said.

The absence of Lionel Messi was also a talking point. Mascherano explained that rushing him back from injury for such a high-intensity clash would have been a risk, and the medical staff advised against it. “We have to think about the bigger picture,” he noted.

Despite the disappointment, Mascherano stressed that this result must be a learning moment. With LA Galaxy visiting on August 16 and the Leagues Cup quarterfinals soon after, he urged his players to regroup and respond. “This is a wake-up call. We still have time to put things right, but only if we work harder and play as a team,” he said.

For Inter Miami, the derby loss will sting—not only because of the scoreline, but because of how comprehensively they were outplayed. For Mascherano, it’s a test of leadership. For the fans, it’s a reminder that in football, reputations mean nothing if the performance isn’t there on the day.