After the heartache of losing 2-1 to to Portland Timbers in the #MLSisBack Tournament Final, Orlando City SC now have to pick themselves up for the 2020 MLS regular season resumption.
Defying all expectations to finish runners-up, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions are now back in Eastern Conference action. Not only that but it’s a first ever visit to Florida rivals Inter Miami too.
Striking the first blow in the “Sunshine Clásico”, Orlando City SC‘s last gasp 2-1 victory over The Herons gave City huge momentum heading deeper into the #MLSisBack Tournament.
With that victory 45 days before this game, Diego Alonso’s Inter Miami won’t just want revenge.
They’ll want to toast their inaugural game at Inter Miami CF Stadium with a win too.
However, a first MLS victory is something that still evades Inter Miami. The Herons currently hold the worst record for a team debuting in MLS with five losses from five.
It’ll be Orlando City SC‘s job to continue the narrative that Florida is purple. After all, bragging rights are so important in any budding rivalry.
Thanks to Group A victories over Inter Miami and New York City FC, plus a point against Philadelphia Union, City have earned seven points towards the Eastern Conference standings.
With COVID-19 shortening the 2020 MLS regular season, a good streak in the six-game regional resumption could be key.
It would go a long way in Orlando City SC achieving their next objective – to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time.
Elsewhere, since their #MLSisBack Tournament exit, Inter Miami have added FIFA World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi to their roster.
However, the Frenchman isn’t expected to feature in this game.
Elsewhere, former Atlanta United man Leandro González Pírez and ex-Lion Brek Shea also await their debuts for The Herons.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 2020 head-to-head stats
Facts are facts. The record books show that Orlando City SC earned the first victory in “Sunshine Clásico” history.
Not just the first match in the one-of-a-kind #MLSisBack Tournament, this inaugural rivalry fixture saw Nani score a 97th minute winner in extra dramatic circumstances.
After Juan Agudelo gave The Herons a 47th minute lead, Orlando City SC supporters had that all too familiar sinking feeling again.
But an incredible run to the #MLSisBack Tournament Final was only just beginning.
With Chris Mueller equalising in the 70th minute, this preceded Nani stabbing home a point blank winner with just 180 seconds left on the stoppage time clock.
Cue pandemonium among the City fanbase and plenty of baiting towards rival Inter Miami fans on social media.
Orlando City SC 2 Inter Miami 1 – Highlights – July 8, 2020 (Credit: Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami)
While Orlando City SC supporters have the early bragging rights in this MLS rivalry fixture, that’ll be quickly forgotten with an Inter Miami win.
Now contesting their first ever game at Inter Miami CF Stadium, The Herons are desperate for a first MLS win.
Elsewhere, Orlando City SC have their own motivations.
To inflict another psychological blow to Inter Miami, this time in enemy territory, that’d be a huge morale booster.
A victory would certainly remove Orlando City SC supporters from their post #MLSisBack Tournament Final funk.
Inter Miami form
It’s an unwanted record that Inter Miami players, staff and supporters detest, and one Orlando City SC supporters relish.
Indeed, Inter Miami currently hold the worst record for a team debuting in MLS.
Losing to Los Angeles FC (1-0) and D.C. United (2-1) in March, this preceded three straight Group A losses at the #MLSisBack Tournament.
We know Inter Miami will earn their first MLS point sometime or other, but it’s Orlando City SC‘s job to ensure this doesn’t happen on August 22.
If Inter Miami are to get their first Major League Soccer point on the board soon, they’ll have to start keeping 11 men on the field.
The Herons have received THREE red cards in FIVE MLS fixtures so far – something Diego Alonso can ill afford.
After Román Torres saw red against D.C. United, both Andrés Reyes and Juan Agudelo saw red during the #MLSisBack Tournament.
Given this is a rivalry fixture, Diego Alonso will want his Inter Miami players to finally get a hold on their emotions in this one.
Inter Miami 0 New York City FC 1 – Highlights – July 20, 2020 (Credit: New York City FC)
Orlando City SC form
Reflecting on the #MLSisBack Tournament, Oscar Pareja made years’ worth of progress in just over one month.
A mark of the Lions’ huge improvement has been their ability to keep fighting after going down 1-0.
Indeed, in games against Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union, Los Angeles FC and Portland Timbers, City fought their way back from 1-0.
Demonstrating superb courage, determination and mental strength, we cannot allow these standards to slip in the regular season resumption.
Orlando City SC 1 Los Angeles FC 1 (A.E.T.) (5-4 on penalties) – Highlights – July 31, 2020 (Credit: Qualityfirst)
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Don’t forget, Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football in the early hours of Sunday morning at 01:00 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @InterMiamiCF 🆚 @OrlandoCitySC is LIVE on @SkySports Football next weekend! 😁👍🏽📺⚽️
VIEW TV TRACKER 📕: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#MIAvORL #InterMiamiCF #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/WVXvajnsjJ
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 16, 2020