Through an official statement, MLS announced that the 23-year-old defender was fined. “Major League Soccer announced today that Inter Miami CF defender Ian Fray has been fined an undisclosed amount for his comments made following Inter Miami’s match against Orlando City SC on May 2. The comments violated the league’s public criticism policy.”

At the end of the match, Ian Fray said to the media: “I feel like the referee has something against me and some other players on the team; they are just simple situations like that. We should not have lost regardless of the referee. That is not an excuse. I am not going to make any excuses at all. We should have won the game,” which led to the financial sanction.

The tough match Inter Miami let slip

With a goal from Ian Fray, Inter Miami opened the scoring and then, with goals from Telasco Segovia and a fantastic finish from Lionel Messi, they built a three-goal lead to win the Florida Derby.

However, a performance from Martin Ojeda with a hat trick and another goal from Tyrese Spicer gave Orlando City the three points in the Florida Derby, delivering a tough blow to Guillermo Hoyos side, who still had not won at NU Stadium, their new home.

Messi message after the loss

The frustration was not only visible in Messi‘s expression, but also in his reaction in the locker room with a strong message. After the final whistle, the Argentine went straight to the tunnel, avoiding contact with the media and showing his dissatisfaction. Shortly after, his teammate Ian Fray spoke to the media and shared the message that the former Barcelona player delivered to the squad in the locker room:

“Our captain spoke and, obviously, gave us a lot of words, first encouraging us for the next match and then saying that this is unacceptable, which we all completely agree with. It is unacceptable and it will not happen again,” the player said about the message from the Inter Miami captain.

Inter Miami currently sit in third place and prepared to visit Toronto on Saturday, May 9, a matchup considered key to regain confidence and show if Messi’s message translates into improvement on the field.

The match opened with early dominance from the home side. After goals from Ian Fray (4′) and Telasco Segovia (25′) put Miami ahead 2-0, the team capitalized on the momentum to hunt for a third.

The moment of the match arrived in the 33rd minute. After receiving a crisp pass from Luis Suarez, Messi skillfully maneuvered past an Orlando City defender with a signature feint before firing a powerful, clinical shot into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau with no chance. This goal marks Messi’s 8th of the season in just 10 MLS games, further solidifying his MVP-caliber form.

Inter Miami looking for first Nu Stadium victory

Inter Miami are putting together a standout MLS campaign so far, currently sitting in second place with 22 points—just one point behind the leaders, Nashville. Despite their strong form across the league, the Herons have yet to secure a single victory in their new home, an almost unbelievable statistic.

To date, Inter Miami have only managed three draws at Nu Stadium. Their debut at the venue ended in a 2-2 stalemate against Austin FC, which was followed by another 2-2 draw against the NY Red Bulls.

Most recently, they shared the points in a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution, making tonight’s Florida Derby a crucial opportunity to finally turn their new house into a home.

A landmark night for Messi

Adding to the gravity of tonight’s match, Lionel Messi is making his 100th official appearance for Inter Miami. Under the guidance of coach Guillermo Hoyos, who stepped in following Javier Mascherano’s resignation in March, Miami is desperate to break the home draw curse, and Messi is leading the team to that objective.

Inter Miami started the match with high intensity, scoring early through Ian Fray and adding more through Telasco Segovia and Lionel Messi. Orlando City struggled defensively in the opening stages and conceded three goals before halftime. However, Martin Ojeda kept his side alive with key attacking contributions.

In the second half, Orlando City reacted strongly and gradually took control of the match through quick transitions and long balls. Ojeda completed his hat trick, including a penalty, before Tyrese Spicer scored the late winner to complete the comeback. Inter Miami pushed in stoppage time but could not recover from the momentum shift.

[Watch Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC in the USA on Fubo]

One of Major League Soccer’s fiercest rivalries headlines the weekend as Inter Miami face off against Orlando City SC in a high-stakes Florida derby where pride and 3 points are on the line.

Lionel Messi’s Inter sit second in the East with 19 points, and are chasing Nashville SC atop the standings, while Orlando, near the bottom with seven points, hopes the rivalry spark can fuel a much-needed turnaround.

When will the Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC match be played?

Inter Miami take on Orlando City SC this Saturday, May 2, in a 2026 MLS regular season game, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM (ET).

Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:00 PM
CT: 6:00 PM
MT: 5:00 PM
PT: 4:00 PM

How to watch Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC in the USA

Tune Fubo to catch the 2026 MLS regular season showdown between Inter Miami and Orlando City SC live in the USA. Other options: Apple TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, FS1 and FOX Deportes.

The opening half saw Inter Miami control possession and generate more shots on target, but NE Revolution stayed dangerous on the counterattack. Both sides exchanged chances, with Messi and Carles Gil leading the creative play in their respective teams. Despite Inter Miami’s dominance in key stats, NE Revolution struck first and held their advantage for much of the match.

In the second half, Inter Miami pushed higher up the pitch under Guilhermo Hoyos and eventually found the equalizer through Berterame after a rebound inside the box. NE Revolution responded with their own attacking spells, but St. Clair and Turner delivered important saves at both ends. The match ended level, leaving Inter Miami still searching for their first home win at Nu Stadium.

Since Guillermo Hoyos took over as head coach, Inter Miami have remained undefeated. Under his leadership, the team has secured two massive road victories—a 3-2 thriller against the Colorado Rapids followed by a disciplined 2-0 shutout of Real Salt Lake.

However, today presents a formidable challenge. The New England Revolution arrive in Miami on a hot streak of four consecutive wins. Revolution coach Marko Mitrovic acknowledged the difficulty of the task in his pre-match press conference, noting that Messi can change the game at any moment, highlighting the constant threat the World Cup winner poses.

Inter Miami dealing with some absences

Hoyos will be without his full squad for the match against the Revolution. Sergio Reguilon and Mateo Silvetti have been ruled out due to injury, while Yannick Bright and Telasco Segovia are currently serving suspensions.

Bright was sanctioned by MLS for violating the league’s non-discrimination policy during the victory over Real Salt Lake, and Segovia picked up his fifth yellow card in the same match. Both players must serve a one-game ban and will be eligible to return for the following fixture against Orlando City in the Florida Derby.

Miami seeking elusive first win at Nu Stadium

Tonight’s clash against the Revolution is more than just a typical league fixture for the hosts; it is a quest for a historic milestone. Despite their strong form on the road, Inter Miami are still searching for their first-ever victory at Nu Stadium since the venue’s grand opening earlier this month.

The home win drought has been a surprising storyline for the Herons. In the stadium’s inaugural match, Miami salvaged a 2-2 draw against Austin FC, with Messi and Luis Suarez scoring the first historic goals at the new grounds.

They followed that with another 2-2 stalemate against the New York Red Bulls, meaning the fans at Miami Freedom Park are still waiting to celebrate a three-point result in their own backyard.

[Watch Inter Miami vs New England Revolution in the USA on Apple TV]

Fresh off a gritty win over Real Salt Lake, Inter Miami picked up three crucial points to stay firmly in the hunt atop the Eastern Conference, now sitting just one point behind Nashville SC despite having played an extra match.

Lionel Messi and company understands there’s little margin for error, and their next test won’t come easy against the New England Revolution, who currently hold third place in the East and can both narrow the gap to the summit and slow down a direct rival with a statement result.

When will the Inter Miami vs New England Revolution match be played?

Inter Miami take on New England Revolution this Saturday, April 25, in a 2026 MLS regular season game, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM (ET).

Inter Miami vs New England Revolution: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch Inter Miami vs New England Revolution in the USA

Tune Apple TV to catch the 2026 MLS regular season showdown between Inter Miami and New England Revolution live in the USA.

“I hope so—God willing,” Hoyos replied when asked after training if he felt Messi would make the final cut for Argentina’s roster. “I believe the soccer that he has is pure magic, and that magic never turns off”.

When pressed further on how Messi looks physically to handle the rigors of a World Cup at this stage of his career, Hoyos—who observes the captain’s daily fitness and preparation—simply smiled and reiterated his faith in the veteran’s legendary talent, stating once more, “that magic never turns off“.

Messi expected to be on preliminary roster

The uncertainty surrounding Messi’s presence in North America this summer is nearing a resolution. While the final 26-man roster must be formalized by May 30, a critical procedural step will provide the first official hint of his status much sooner.

Per FIFA regulations, all participating nations must submit a preliminary 55-player list by May 11. Reports out of Argentina indicate that Messi headlines this initial pool for the defending champions.

According to La Nación insider Leandro Contento, manager Lionel Scaloni views Messi as the foundational piece of this expanded group, which will serve as the selection pool for the final squad heading to the tournament.

Messi on the verge of unprecedented World Cup history

Should Messi ultimately decide to represent Argentina in North America, he would stand alone as the only player in the history of the sport to compete in six different World Cup editions. However, the Argentine icon may not be the only one reaching this summit.

Cristiano Ronaldo also enters the summer with five tournament appearances under his belt. Barring any physical setbacks, Ronaldo’s inclusion in Roberto Martínez’s Portugal squad is considered nearly certain, setting the stage for the two greatest rivals of their generation to potentially share this historic achievement on the world’s biggest stage.

“When you face a team with Lionel Messi, no matter what, just the presence of Messi and understanding that he can change the game in any given moment—even if nobody else sees that—he’ll find a way,” Mitrovic noted during Thursday’s press conference.

Both sides enter the clash in peak form, setting the stage for a really exciting game. The Revolution are riding a four-game winning streak, while Inter Miami arrive with two consecutive road wins and an active eight-game unbeaten run.

Messi’s influence beyond the ball

Mitrovic emphasized that the danger of Inter Miami isn’t limited to Messi’s individual brilliance; it’s also about how the Argentine veteran amplifies the talent around him.

“I also know that Messi unlocks so many players on the field and exposes their strengths. They have some quality with Luis Suarez and other players high on the field,” Mitrovic added.

Suarez proved this impact in the recent win over Real Salt Lake. Despite coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes, the Uruguayan striker scored the decisive second goal to seal the victory, proving that Miami’s attack remains lethal even when rotated.

Inter Miami seeking historic first win at Nu Stadium

Surprisingly, since moving from Chase Stadium to the state-of-the-art Nu Stadium, Inter Miami have yet to secure a victory on their new grass. Their home debut ended in a 2-2 draw against Austin FC, a result that was repeated in their following home fixture against the New York Red Bulls.

Saturday’s match offers the Herons a chance to record their first-ever win at their new home, though the task will be daunting against a red-hot Revolution squad currently fighting for a top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

While Allen now leads the ranking for matches played across all competitions, Messi continues to climb the ladder. The Argentine legend has currently competed in 98 official matches for Inter Miami, placing him within striking distance of the century mark.

At the moment, Messi sits eighth in the club’s historical appearance rankings. He is just two matches away from equaling the mark of Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana, who sits at 100. Despite his eighth-place standing overall, Messi is currently second among active players on the roster, trailing only the record-setting Allen.

Who ranks above Messi?

Although Messi currently occupies the eighth position, the gap between him and those above him in the rankings is relatively small. Campana sits just one spot ahead of the Argentine with 100 appearances made between 2022 and 2024.

Further up, Jordi Alba holds the sixth position with 103 appearances, followed closely by young midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, who reached 107 matches during the 2023–2025 period.

The top of the chart is even more crowded, as Robert Taylor and Sergio Busquets are currently tied for third place with 116 appearances each. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Drake Callender sits in second place with 118 matches, having only recently been overtaken by the new record-holder, Allen.

Messi with lot of pages to write story at Miami

Although he is not yet at the top of the appearance rankings, Messi is already rewriting the Inter Miami record books in other ways. He currently stands as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 85 goals, a massive tally that puts him far ahead of Luis Suarez, who sits in second place with 44.

Given that Messi signed a contract extension through the end of the 2028 MLS season, it is almost certain that he will eventually surpass the veterans currently ahead of him on the appearance list.

The only player likely to challenge his climb to the top is Allen, who, at just 21 years old and also signed through 2028, could continue to extend his own record as long as he remains with the club.

The match began as a struggle for the visitors, but Inter Miami gradually found their rhythm and dominated possession throughout the first half. Despite their control of the ball, they went into the halftime break frustrated, having failed to convert several high-quality scoring opportunities.

The script flipped in the second half as Real Salt Lake gained momentum, pinning Miami back and looking the more likely side to break the deadlock. However, against the run of play and with only ten minutes remaining, Rodrigo De Paul unleashed a stunning long-range strike to give Inter Miami a vital lead when they needed it most.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Herons struck again just two minutes later. Luis Suarez showcased his clinical finishing to double the lead and effectively seal the match. With this victory, Messi and company move within one point of league leaders Nashville SC, although the Tennessee side still holds a game in hand.