Mascherano: No excuses after Miami lose 4-1 to Orlando

Javier Mascherano says there are “no excuses” for Inter Miami’s dismal performance against Orlando City, who powered past their Florida rivals 4-1 on Sunday.

Luis Muriel struck early for Orlando, netting in the second minute, before Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright levelled just three minutes later with his first career goal. Ojeda’s 13th assist of the year on Muriel’s opener extended his club-record streak to 14 straight matches with a goal involvement (all competitions).

Orlando regained control early in the second half, with Muriel clinching his eighth goal of the season.

Ojeda then made it 3-1, scoring his 14th of the year and cementing his position as the league leader with 27 direct goal contributions, before Mario Pasalic completed the rout.

Mascherano’s team, who are without talisman Lionel Messi due to injury, were unbeaten in five games across all competitions heading into Sunday’s clash.

Final. pic.twitter.com/W2UsQCwLJN

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 11, 2025

The former Barcelona defender admitted, “Today there are no excuses. Football is about tactics, organisation, talent, but you also know that in one-on-one situations, they were better… We didn’t have the intensity that the game needed.

“As the leader of this group, it hurts to present the image we showed today. This has to be a turning-point match. When we take our foot off the gas, any team can beat us.”

Pedro Gallese stood firm in goal for Orlando, making four saves, including a lunging stop to deny Luis Suarez a spectacular goal from near the halfway line. On the other end, Oscar Ustari managed eight saves for Miami.

As Miami looked to rally, Mascherano reflected, “Football is easy. Sometimes we make it more complex than it is.

“When you’re not at 100%, any team can beat you, and today there was only one team: Orlando.

“Clearly, I’m responsible, because I’m the coach, but there’s not much to say. There was only one team on the field.”

Orlando moved up to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, while Inter Miami sit in sixth place with several games in hand on the teams above them. Miami next host the LA Galaxy, while Orlando welcome Sporting Kansas City.