After overcoming Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the Round of 32 stage of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Oscar Pareja‘s side now host Florida rivals Inter Miami in the Round of 16.
A mouthwatering fixture and a big opportunity to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in as many cup outings, this is the clubs’ first scheduled meeting in 2022.
Casting our minds back to May 10, Orlando City SC overcame then current Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union to prevail 2-1 at home.
A much more difficult opponent after dumping out I-4 Derby rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies in round three, Jim Curtin made seven changes to his Union side.
Among other changes, Curtin gave starts to youngsters Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn and Quinn Sullivan. This handed the initiative to the home side.
With Orlando City SC making seven changes of their own, City’s starting eleven was more experienced by comparison however.
Fortunately, this translated onto the field with City scoring two goals within just three second-half minutes.
On 54 minutes, Michael Halliday raided up the right wing before the ball reached Ercan Kara in Union’s penalty area.
With the Austrian unleashing an opportunistic strike, a deflection took it past Matt Freese to open the scoring.
Just three minutes later, Andrés Perea struck a one-time fearsome drive from downtown to make it two.
Immediately latching onto a misplaced Union clearance, the goal was fitting of winning any game.
On 77 minutes, Stuart Findlay’s goal made Orlando City SC sweat but Oscar Pareja‘s side hung on to reach the Round of 16.
With all three of our 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup games drawn at home so far, this is a big opportunity to reach another quarter-final.
As for our Round of 16 opponents Inter Miami, Phil Neville’s side have faced two lower league opponents to get here.
In round three, The Herons narrowly defeated USL Championship side Miami FC 0-1. Then they defeated USL League One side Tormenta FC 3-1 in the Round of 32.
Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 2020/21 head-to-head stats
Despite enduring a forgettable MLS tenure so far, Inter Miami always seem to raise their game against Florida rivals Orlando City SC.
Meeting twice at Exploria Stadium last August, The Herons earned two draws. The most recent meeting was a 0-0 tie.
Outshooting Inter Miami 15 to 5, Orlando City SC frustratingly only got 2 of these 15 strikes on target.
Unfortunately for Tesho Akindele, the hard-working Canadian striker had an evening to forget at Exploria Stadium.
First, Akindele saw a feeble twelfth minute penalty saved by Nick Marsman.
After that, on 26 minutes, Robin Jansson thought he’d opened the scoring with a fantastic strike past Marsman from range.
But then VAR ruled that Tesho Akindele was offside as he attempted to prod home Jansson’s strike mid-flight.
A decision that first seemed harsh, but ultimately correct due to Akindele’s interference, Tesho was subbed off for Daryl Dike at half-time.
Dike thought he’d won the game with a fantastic 84th minute header. Again, Nick Marsman was equal to the effort.
Orlando City SC 0 Inter Miami 0 – Highlights – August 27, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Including the clubs’ inaugural fixture in the #MLSisBack Tournament curtain raiser, Orlando City SC hold THREE victories to Inter Miami’s TWO.
2021 was a year of firsts in this Florida rivalry too.
The August 4 meeting saw Orlando City SC and Inter Miami draw for the first time (1-1) before the aforementioned second draw (0-0) on August 27.
Elsewhere, in the clubs’ first meeting of the 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 Florida rivalry from the start.
In FIVE of SEVEN Sunshine Clásico games, just ONE goal has separated the Florida rivals (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
Their priority number one is keeping goals out, not scoring them, but Orlando City SC defenders continue making the scoresheet in MLS!
Remarkably, FIVE of the Lions’ last EIGHT Major League Soccer goals have been scored by defenders.
After our 1-0 win over Chicago Fire on April 9, Rodrigo Schlegel, Ruan (x2), João Moutinho and Kyle Smith have all found the net to City supporters’ delight.
On Sunday, Ruan impressively doubled Orlando City SC‘s lead at Austin FC, only for PRO Referees to make things go awry.
Austin FC 2 Orlando City SC 2 – Highlights – May 22, 2022 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Inter Miami form
Sure, the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a separate competition, but Inter Miami have travelled poorly in MLS this season.
The Herons have won ONCE, drawn ONCE and lost FOUR of SIX away games so far in 2022.
Inter Miami’s only road win came at Seattle Sounders (0-1) back on April 16.
With Orlando City SC making their home advantage count against Tampa Bay Rowdies and Philadelphia Union, hopefully a boisterous Exploria Stadium can roar the Lions into the quarter-finals.
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