February 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball against LAFC midfielder Mathieu Chonière (66) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Image Inter Miami led MLS last season with 81 regular season goals.
Surprisingly, the defending champions failed to find the back of the net once in the opening game of 2026.
Inter Miami will be looking to open the attack as they travel north to face Orlando City on Sunday night.
Miami lost 3-0 at Los Angeles FC last weekend when football icon Lionel Messi had four shots on goal, all of which went wide.
It certainly wasn’t the type of season debut Miami coach Javier Mascherano was hoping for.
“We clearly see that there is a lot of room for improvement,” Mascherano said. “We must continue to build on the positive things we have done, correct the mistakes we have made and continue to move forward.”
Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup and is reportedly scheduled to visit the White House next Thursday, two days before their away game against DC United.
Messi scored in a friendly in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on Thursday as Inter Miami concluded their Champions Tour with a 2-1 win over Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle.
Keeping two-time MLS MVP Messi in check has been a difficult task for Orlando City. Messi has scored six goals in four games in all competitions against the Lions.
Orlando City also got off to a tough start last weekend, losing 2-1 to the visiting New York Red Bulls.
The Lions finally got on board in the sixth minute of added time in the second half when Thiago received a pass from Zakaria Taifi.
New goaltender Maxime Crepeau was under fire throughout the game and set a franchise record with 11 saves.
Crepeau said the Lions could be a fresher team on Sunday due to Miami’s trip to Puerto Rico.
“The mileage they have is a little harder than ours this week, that’s for sure because we’ve stayed here,” Crepeau said. “But every team has their own decisions about how to manage the preseason and manage their roster. I think both teams will be ready to play when they get on the field.”
Orlando City won its two regular season games against Miami last season by a combined 7-1. Messi played in only one of those matches.
Messi scored twice when the two teams met in the League Cup semi-finals, with the Herons winning 3-1.
Orlando coach Oscar Pareja says his team can’t get the 38-year-old to work.
“They have maintained a normal, functional identity, playing around Leo and his contribution to the team,” Pareja said. “We respect them like everyone else, but now there’s a lot more focus on us.”
–Field level media
