Inter Miami-Orlando friendly ends tied, 2-2

Messi plays 70-plus minutes in Herons’ final tune-up in Tampa

Newcomer Fafa Picault scored a late stoppage-time goal to even the score and preserve Inter Miami’s undefeated preseason.

Inter Miami CF forward Fafa Picault (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against Orlando City. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Herons came from behind twice against Orlando City SC in front of an estimated crowd of 70,000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The renewal of the Sunshine State Classico (or Florida Derby, if you prefer) was the final preseason match for both teams.

Inter Miami dominated possession in the first half, but Orlando’s Martin Ojeda beat Miami right back Chelo Weigandt in the 15th minute to give the Lions the lead. Just six minutes later, midfielder Tadeo Allende scored on a give-and-go with Luis Suarez.

The match remained tied until Ramiro Enrique scored in the 54th minute after Miami center back David Martinez misplayed the ball in front of the Herons’ goal. Both sides substituted liberally in the second half, so few starters remained when, in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, Finnish winger Robert Taylor claimed the ball in the Lions’ box, dribbled to his right and looped toward goal before firing a shot on goal. It was blocked, but an opportunistic Picault booted the rebound into the net.

Before the match, pundits speculated that new Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano would rest his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez before the Herons play the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup match Tuesday at Sporting Kansas City. But to the crowd’s — and sponsor’s — delight, the Big Four all played well into the second half. Messi again played more than 70 minutes and Alba, who didn’t play against Olimpia in Honduras, went the full match.

Telasco Segovia and Gonzalo Lujan, acquired by Inter Miami during the offseason, started at winger and center back, respectively, and represented themselves well.

Oscar Ustari started his fourth straight match in goal; two-year starter Drake Callendar, who was injured while practicing with the U.S. Men’s National Team in January, hasn’t played this season. Many fans believe Ustari, a 38-year-old Argentinian journeyman, has earned the starting job.

The draw was the Herons’ third of the preseason “Americas Tour.” Inter Miami tied Mexican champion Club America 2-2 in Las Vegas and Peruvian powerhouse Universitario 0-0 in Lima (the Herons won penalty shootouts after each match). The Pink & Black beat Panama’s San Miguelito 3-1 and Olimpia 5-0.

Inter Miami will host New York City FC in its Major League Soccer season opener Saturday, Feb. 22.