STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 15.05.2024

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After defeating Philadelphia Union 2-3 in a wild game on Saturday, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC now contest one of the biggest fixtures on this year’s schedule – a grudge match at home against Florida rivals Inter Miami in MLS Rivalry Week.

A midweek game, potentially marking Lionel Messi’s first-ever visit to Inter&Co Stadium if he’s fit, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and his team-mates travel up Florida’s Turnpike in rampant mood. Winning their last five consecutive MLS games and having scored 35 goals this season, Inter Miami currently lead the Eastern Conference on 27 points – a bitter pill for Florida’s better half to swallow.

With The Herons defying the odds to rescue a 2-0 deficit and win 2-3 at CF Montréal on Saturday, Inter Miami will be the big favourites on Wednesday but Orlando City SC should feel buoyed after just clinching our third victory of the 2024 MLS season, taking us to double figures (12 points) in the process. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 24.09.2023

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Mission accomplished! Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat at New York City FC last night, a favourable 1-1 draw between D.C. United and Atlanta United elsewhere saw Orlando City SC clinch their spot in the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs with five games to spare. Reaching the promised land of the MLS post-season earlier than ever before, Oscar Pareja has now impressively steered the City ship into the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.

In a mouth-watering prospect, Orlando City SC and Inter Miami now meet in MLS for the first time since the Lions’ highly controversial 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32 defeat (3-1) at DRV PNK Stadium back on August 2.

With Lionel Messi’s brace helping steer The Herons towards what proved to be their first major title in club history, the injustice of several incidences against City has undoubtedly lit the touch paper for this eagerly anticipated rematch. Revenge will most certainly be on the minds of Orlando City SC players and supporters as the Lions aim to derail Inter Miami’s late push to reach the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.

In huge news, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi WILL NOT visit Exploria Stadium for the very first time however. After The Herons’ 4-0 win over Toronto FC yesterday, Tata Martino ruled both Messi and Jordi Alba out of Sunday’s Sunshine Clásico after they were both subbed off with suspected first-half injuries in that game. Whether this is managerial mind games or not remains to be seen. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 05.10.2022

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Orlando City SC‘s hopes of reaching the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs desperately hang in the balance after City suffered a painful 2-1 defeat at New York City FC on Sunday.

Not a knockout blow, considering the Lions have two games remaining, Oscar Pareja‘s side now visit Inter Miami in our final away game of the season, most definitely the highest stakes Sunshine Clásico yet. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 09.07.2022

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Losing a crazy game 3-5 to D.C. United on Monday, there’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves with Orlando City SC now facing Florida rivals Inter Miami in the first MLS Sunshine Clásico of 2022.

Really disappointingly, it’s not been a case of home sweet home this season. Exploria Stadium has already hosted five Orlando City SC defeats – simply not good enough with only half the MLS regular season elapsed. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 25.05.2022

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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. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 27.08.2021

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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. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 04.08.2021

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After an amazing morale-boosting 3-2 comeback victory over rivals Atlanta United, Orlando City SC now face in-state Florida rivals Inter Miami.

It’s another big opportunity to earn regional bragging rights. Not only that but attempting to keep runaway Eastern Conference leaders New England Revolution within sight too. Continue reading