Showing grit, heart and determination to beat Chicago Fire 1-0, Orlando City SC now face Florida rivals Inter Miami for the third and final time this regular season.
Without Daryl Dike, Pedro Gallese, Jhegson Méndez, Nani (subbed off) and Mauricio Pereyra against Fire, Benji Michel‘s strike sealed a super satisfying hard-fought victory.
Heading into the Chicago Fire game, Orlando City SC were desperately craving all three points.
Dropping to fifth in the Eastern Conference, the victory saw Oscar Pareja‘s side rise back into second place (20 games, 34 points).
On the night, stand-in goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was in inspired form to deny Chicago Fire on numerous occasions.
Pre-Fire, Orlando City SC hadn’t been losing many games but a run of two wins in nine league games saw our momentum stagnate a little.
The hectic MLS mid-season schedule is tough for most sides to contend with.
But with this Inter Miami fixture being the second game of a three-game home streak, it’s a big opportunity to step on the gas again.
Draws at FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC first looked a tad disappointing. However, they now look valuable, especially before three consecutive home games.
In Florida rivals Inter Miami, Orlando City SC now face a much-improved side.
Near the Eastern Conference basement for much of 2021, they’ve won THREE of their last FOUR MLS fixtures.
With all three victories coming at home, The Herons are poor travellers however.
Inter Miami have only claimed EIGHT points from a possible TWENTY FOUR on the road this term.
Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 2020/21 head-to-head stats
Last meeting as recently as August 4, Orlando City SC and Inter Miami played out a low-key 1-1 draw at Exploria Stadium.
It was the first ever draw in the Sunshine Clásico series.
The Lions headed into this second consecutive rivalry game after defeating Atlanta United 3-2 just four days earlier.
Putting a lot into that late comeback victory, Oscar Pareja‘s side looked fatigued despite playing a second consecutive home game.
Just before half-time, Antônio Carlos emphatically headed home a neat short corner routine from Nani.
Unfortunately, City couldn’t capitalise on this advantage.
In a game of few shots on target, the unlikely Kieran Gibbs equalised with his first MLS goal on 66 minutes.
Orlando City SC 1 Inter Miami 1 – Highlights – August 4, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
In 2021, it’s been a year of firsts in the Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC / Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami game series.
As we just mentioned, the August 4 meeting saw Orlando City SC and Inter Miami draw for the first time.
Elsewhere, in the clubs’ first meeting this season, the Lions achieved their first ever victory (1-2) in Fort Lauderdale.
Despite City being second best to The Herons for much of the game, Oscar Pareja‘s side got a second wind late on.
Superbly taken smash-and-grab goals from Chris Mueller and Nani sealed our first ever victory at DRV PNK Stadium.
With a large contingent of travelling Orlando City SC supporters present, they headed back up Florida’s Turnpike victorious!
Inter Miami 1 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – June 25, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
In truth, Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami has been a competitive and tight MLS rivalry from the start.
In FIVE of SIX Sunshine Clásico games, the Florida rivals have been separated by just ONE goal (2-1, 3-2, 2-1, 2-1, 1-2).
A lot is written and spoken about what makes a true soccer rivalry.
Sure, the Sunshine Clásico is still in its infancy.
But you can tell with each passing game that these teams are learning to despise each other.
Orlando City SC form
Despite Orlando City SC‘s goal haul drying up of late, we’ve still managed to remain undefeated – and that’s positive.
Only scoring FOUR goals in our last FOUR MLS fixtures, we’ve picked up THREE draws and ONE victory.
With UNDER 2.5 GOALS scored in Orlando City SC‘s last FOUR MLS fixtures, we could really use Daryl Dike right now.
But after playing at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a subsequent injury and transfer links to West Bromwich Albion, Dike’s short-term future remains anybody’s guess.
Sure, Tesho Akindele has led the line well and offers different strengths to Daryl Dike.
However, you feel Orlando City SC need a more prolific option at centre forward to turn one point into three more regularly.
Orlando City SC 1 Chicago Fire 0 – Highlights – August 21, 2021 (Credit: Chicago Fire FC)
Inter Miami form
Phil Neville’s Inter Miami have been making home advantage count at DRV PNK Stadium throughout August.
Achieving three home wins from three in August, the good news is that The Herons travel poorly however.
Failing to score in FIVE of their EIGHT away fixtures this season, Inter Miami have only won TWO away games all season.
These victories came at Philadelphia Union (1-2) in April and FC Cincinnati (2-3) in May.
Make no mistake however – Inter Miami always raise their game against Orlando City SC.
With Rodolfo Pizarro looking back to his best with three goals in his last two games, this will be another tough test.
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football in the early hours of Saturday morning at 01:30 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @InterMiamiCF is LIVE on @SkySports Football in the early hours of Saturday morning. 😁👏🏽🦁
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#ORLvMIA #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #InterMiamiCF #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/hdT06NHK49
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) August 23, 2021