In what turned out to be an exciting match for all patrons in attendance at Florida International University, the second act of the Magic City Clásico became both managers’ worst nightmare as Inter Miami outlasted Miami FC, 5-3 in penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Borgelin with the equalizer ???????????? pic.twitter.com/ns0oUxFYYD
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 27, 2023
Despite the win, Inter coach Phil Neville likely remains on the hot seat as his team will now carry heavy legs into a road contest with Columbus in MLS play.
For Miami FC’s Anthony Pulis, the loss will likely reflect poorly on him, despite getting the most out of an already short roster that is hampered by injuries.
Miami FC opened the scoring with a goal from Christian Sorto in the second minute of play. Claudio Repetto played an incoming pass with a crafty flick that released Sorto into space and beat IMCF’s Drake Callender to the near post.
Inter Miami dominated possession for the entire match throwing ball after ball into Miami FC’s defense. As the game found its way into the 89th minute, it looked as though Miami FC was going to avenge last year’s 1-0 loss to Inter Miami on the very same field. But then a cross from the right wing by Inter’s Jean Mota found Shanyder Borgelin who headed it in from point blank range to even the match and send it into extra time.
Negri ➡️ Sailor for the 2-2 pic.twitter.com/z6oXeHu8Jm
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 27, 2023
The teams played a quiet first half of extra time. In the second half, a Miami FC long ball to Ryan Telfer was defended poorly and a back pass from Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin found itself in the back of the net in the 116th minute. Once again, Miami FC was just a few minutes away from victory and Inter Miami took it away.
Less than two minutes later, Inter tied the match with a header in the 118th minute from Ryan Sailor. A high cross came in from the left wing and Sailor outjumped a defender at the far post and beat the keeper.
In penalties, it was a shooter’s gala until Miami FC’s keeper Alejandro Zendejas got his hand to Jean Mota’s penalty attempt but could not keep the ball from the back of the net. The next shooter, Ryan Telfer, took a run up that could best be described as a late-night stroll through a park, and lifted his attempt into the eighth row of Inter Miami’s supporters. Kamal Miller buried the final Inter attempt to send them through to the Fourth Round of the Open Cup for the second year in a row.
