TEN games unbeaten sounds much better after a win, right? Orlando City SC found their spark on Wednesday with a convincing 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC, snapping a frustrating run of five draws in six. It was the kind of complete display Oscar Pareja has been demanding — and just in time.
Because next up? It’s Inter Miami away in the first Sunshine Clásico of 2025! Not just any fixture, this is our first ‘Sunday Night Soccer’ appearance of the season, with all eyes on Chase Stadium. As painful as it is to recall, we were thrashed 5-0 there last March. So, this time, we have to do ourselves justice! At the end of the day, real heart, fight, and passion is non-negotiable in MLS Rivalry Week.
Last time out
On Wednesday, Orlando City SC found their groove in a 3-1 win over Charlotte FC at Inter&Co Stadium. Luis Muriel, Martín Ojeda, and Ramiro Enrique got on the scoresheet, with City dominating large spells and limiting the visitors to just one shot on target. The victory extended our unbeaten streak to TEN league games (4-6-0) and brought a much-needed sense of balance to our performance – something Oscar Pareja has been craving since beating Atlanta United (3-0). Muriel scored early, Ojeda smashed in his eighth goal of the season, and Enrique’s calm finish sealed the win late on. Wilfried Zaha’s first-half goal was the only blemish on an otherwise disciplined defensive display. Transformed this year, David Brekalo impressed in his new left back role, assisting both Muriel’s and Enrique’s goals. With Justin Ellis also making his MLS debut late on – and on his 18th birthday, no less – the night was full of positives.
Last head-to-head
On May 15, 2025, Orlando City SC played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Inter Miami at Inter&Co Stadium. Sure, the stalemate meant we went goalless against our Florida rivals last year. But the point was hard-earned and came with plenty of positives. Facing the league’s most lethal attack without club captain Robin Jansson, Oscar Pareja’s side dug deep, becoming just the second team all season to shut out The Herons. Rodrigo Schlegel returned to the XI under pressure but stood tall, while Pedro Gallese produced a trio of strong saves – most notably denying Luis Suárez in only the second minute. Lionel Messi once again missed the trip up Florida’s Turnpike through injury, but Inter Miami still controlled possession throughout. That said, it was City who posed the greater attacking threat – outshooting the visitors 14-6 and forcing Drake Callender into three crucial saves. It was a frustrating night in front of goal, but a gutsy response following March’s humiliating 5-0 defeat in Fort Lauderdale.
What’s at stake this time?
On Wednesday, Orlando City SC climbed two places from eighth to sixth in the East. With 21 points, we’re just ONE point behind fifth-placed Inter Miami, who’ve played one game fewer (12) than us (13). This Sunday’s clash offers a huge chance to leapfrog The Herons, giving Oscar Pareja’s side extra motivation. Though we reached our first-ever Eastern Conference Final in 2024, we had no regular season bragging rights over Atlanta United or Inter Miami, going 0-1-3 combined. But after beating The Five Stripes on April 26, we’re hungry to defeat another rival! A third-ever win in Fort Lauderdale would be massive — though Inter Miami have Lionel Messi and are far stronger than Ronny Deila’s struggling Atlanta side. Ahead of the Sunshine Clásico, Orlando stayed home while Inter Miami flew cross-country for a 3-3 draw at San Jose Earthquakes. Hopefully that travel leaves them fatigued! Meanwhile, Papi named his strongest XI against Charlotte FC, refusing to rest players ahead of this big game. With Martín Ojeda red-hot – scoring four goals in two matches – and Luis Muriel already matching his 2024 MLS goal total (5), both are finally showing the consistent impact expected of Designated Players. A win here would prove we’re not just pretenders, but genuine contenders!
Opposition danger men
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi (5 goals, 3 assists – 2025 MLS)
🇻🇪 Telasco Segovia (3 goals, 4 assists – 2025 MLS)
🇭🇹 Fafà Picault (3 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
🇺🇾 Luis Suárez (2 goals, 6 assists – 2025 MLS)
New opposition faces
🇦🇷 Javier Mascherano (head coach)
🇺🇸 Santiago Morales (Inter Miami II)
🇭🇹 Fafà Picault (Vancouver Whitecaps)
🇦🇷 Tadeo Allende (on loan from Celta Vigo)
🇦🇷 Gonzalo Luján (San Lorenzo)
🇦🇷 Rocco Ríos Novo (on loan from Lanús)
🇻🇪 Telasco Segovia (Casa Pia)
🇺🇾 Maximiliano Falcón (Colo-Colo)
🇦🇷 Baltasar Rodríguez (on loan from Racing Club)
🇪🇨 Allen Obando (on loan from Barcelona S.C.)
Injuries
🇺🇸 Drake Callender (sports hernia) – out
🇦🇷 Baltasar Rodríguez (hamstring) – out
🇭🇳 David Ruiz (hamstring) – out
🇨🇴 Eduard Atuesta (neck) – out
🇵🇪 Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
🇨🇴 Nicolás Rodríguez (thigh) – out
🇯🇵 Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
None
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Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC
Last 3 head-to-heads
- September 24, 2023: Orlando City SC 1 Inter Miami 1 (MLS)
- March 2, 2024: Inter Miami 5 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
- May 15, 2024: Orlando City SC 0 Inter Miami 0 (MLS)
2020/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-0 the last time the sides met (May 2024)
- Played Inter Miami 13 times in MLS – Miami 4, Draws 4, Orlando 5
- Across all competitions, Orlando have gone 2-0-5 at Chase Stadium
- Miami only have 1 win in their last 6 fixtures across all competitions
- Orlando are 2 games away from matching their longest MLS unbeaten run – 12 matches (Aug 26 – Oct 24, 2020)
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Watching the game
Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:00 (GMT) on Monday, May 19.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC’s 2025 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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