After thrashing San Jose Earthquakes 5-0, Orlando City SC visit Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium to complete a busy triple gameweek.
The fifth Sunshine Clásico so far, Oscar Pareja‘s Lions are looking to finally scratch the itch of never having won or drawn in Fort Lauderdale.
Momentum is spoken about a lot in football and that’s exactly what Orlando City SC have right now.
In hindsight, the 21-day international break probably came at the perfect time for the Lions.
After our 2-1 defeat at New York Red Bulls, a rested and rotated Orlando City SC squad has bounced back with two convincing victories.
Battling hard to edge out Toronto FC 2-3 in a tight encounter, Oscar Pareja would’ve found that equally as pleasing as thumping Quakes 5-0 just three days later.
With squad competition at an all-time high, every Orlando City SC player is pushing their team-mates for a starting place right now.
At centre forward, not only has Tesho Akindele been dependable. Daryl Dike returned with a brace against Quakes while Alexandre Pato will return following his injury.
In captain Nani, Orlando City SC have an inspirational captain who is now within one goal of tying Kaká (24) who is City’s second all-time MLS scoring leader.
Then there’s the defence that have conceded the joint fewest number of goals (6) in the Eastern Conference this season.
It all bodes well for our first Sunshine Clásico of the season.
Oscar Pareja would’ve carefully been studying The Herons’ two most recent games – back-to-back defeats against D.C. United (0-3 and 1-0).
Going scoreless in their last three MLS games, confidence is fragile in Phil Neville’s Inter Miami squad right now.
Orlando City SC supporters would love nothing more than to stick it to their Florida rivals while earning a first win downstate.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 2020 head-to-head stats
Unfortunately, Orlando City SC don’t have fond memories of the last time they faced Inter Miami in the Sunshine Clásico.
A late set-piece goal from Leandro González Pírez stole all three points in City’s second 2020 visit downstate.
The Lions started this game on the front foot however.
Daryl Dike‘s 12th minute opener against City’s Florida rivals was the perfect way to celebrate reaching the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time.
A game earlier, City’s 1-1 draw at New York Red Bulls helped punch our ticket to the post-season. However, the feel-good factor was temporarily derailed down Florida’s Turnpike.
The Herons turned this game in their favour when Blaise Matuidi’s strike unluckily deflected off Robin Jansson to make it 1-1 just before half-time.
A goal that altered Oscar Pareja‘s half-time team talk, González Pírez’s last gasp strike ensured Orlando City SC remain pointless at DRV PNK Stadium in two visits.
Inter Miami 2 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – October 24, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
The Sunshine Clásico is still a new Major League Soccer rivalry.
Nevertheless, the animosity is growing all the time in this Florida series that is tied right now.
Including the club’s inaugural clash in the #MLSisBack Tournament opener, Orlando City SC have TWO victories so far, as do Inter Miami.
Competitiveness is key in any successful rivalry. That’s exactly what we’ve got after 360+ minutes of MLS action to date.
Lastly, both sides still await a first ever victory in enemy territory.
Orlando City SC 2 Inter Miami 1 – Highlights – September 12, 2020 (Credit: Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami)
As we already mentioned, Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC has been a competitive MLS rivalry from the start.
In all FOUR Sunshine Clásico games, the Florida rivals have been separated by just ONE goal (2-1, 3-2, 2-1, 2-1).
A lot is written and spoken about what makes a true soccer rivalry.
While the Sunshine Clásico is still in its infancy, you can tell with each passing game that these teams are learning to despise each other.
Inter Miami form
Despite all of the hype, Inter Miami are still a side waiting for true lift-off in Major League Soccer.
So far this season, The Herons have struggled in front of their home crowd at DRV PNK Stadium.
Inter Miami are still waiting for their first 2021 victory in Fort Lauderdale. The Herons have lost THREE of their FOUR home games so far.
Losing 2-3 to LA Galaxy, 0-2 to CF Montréal, and 0-3 to D.C. United, the other result was a salvaged 1-1 draw with Atlanta United.
In short, Phil Neville is still yet to win over the many doubters early into his MLS adventure.
Orlando City SC form
A hallmark of Orlando City SC‘s performances this season has been starting fast.
Orlando City SC have scored within the first 15 minutes in FOUR of their last FIVE MLS fixtures.
Even before this streak, Tesho Akindele scored City’s fastest ever goal against FC Cincinnati (33 seconds) back on May 1.
Then Tesho smashed this record again, scoring just 31 seconds into our recent 2-3 win over Toronto FC.
Right now, Oscar Pareja has City coming out of the gate strong. This can only bode well during the hectic mid-season of MLS.
Orlando City SC 5 San Jose Earthquakes 0 – Highlights – June 22, 2021 (Credit: San Jose Earthquakes)
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Don’t forget, Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on FreeSports in the early hours of Saturday morning at 01:20 (GMT).
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