A quick word on *that* Inter Miami defeat before we all move on…

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Before we begin, Orlando City SC‘s 3-1 defeat to Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup on Wednesday evening was bitterly disappointing for players and supporters alike. Disappointing because ever since our 2011 founding, the club have long enjoyed a love affair with cup competitions, none greater than last season’s victorious 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumph – our first title in our MLS era.

A rivalry fixture – with state bragging rights at stake – it’s always gutting losing , especially in knockout competition in enemy territory, but genuine supporters accept these highs and lows as part and parcel of The Beautiful Game.

What I must admit though – and I reiterate that these opinions are the thoughts of Orlando City UK (Taylor Williams), not Orlando City SC – is that I had cynical feelings that our Inter Miami defeat would play out the way it did – and so it proved on a controversial night at DRV PNK Stadium. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 02.08.2023

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Orlando City SC will face the world’s greatest ever player Lionel Messi in their next club fixture. A wild sentence that seemed implausible a few years ago, that is the reality with City now visiting Florida rivals Inter Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32.

Qualifying from our “South 2” group to the knockout stage courtesy of home triumphs over Houston Dynamo (1-1 at full-time, 5-4 on penalties) and Santos Laguna (3-2), Orlando City SC probably couldn’t have faced a tougher MLS opponent right now – such has been the relentless nature of Messi’s start to life in South Florida. Continue reading

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 20.05.2023

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Ifs, buts, and maybes. Unfortunately that was the tale of Wednesday evening after Orlando City SC conceded an 89th minute equaliser to draw 1-1 with New York City FC at Exploria Stadium.

Now twelve MLS regular season games into 2023, our disappointing and inconsistent campaign shows no signs of truly turning a corner. Oscar Pareja‘s Lions now visit Florida rivals Inter Miami who will no doubt be fired up for the first Sunshine Clásico of the year. 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: Colorado Rapids vs Orlando City SC – 13.07.2022

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Not only overcoming Florida rivals Inter Miami 1-0 on Saturday, Orlando City SC also overcame a rain delay of over two hours to arrest a two-game losing streak in MLS.

Kick-off was originally scheduled for 8:05pm. But the game started at 10:25pm local time, crazily spanning both Saturday evening and the early hours of Sunday morning. 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

Orlando City SC’s complete 2022 MLS schedule revealed

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Following the release of Orlando City SC‘s first two 2022 Major League Soccer fixtures on November 22, Lions supporters have today learned when each of their 32 other remaining fixtures will be played.

With all MLS franchises’ complete regular season schedules released today, televised games can now be circled and Lions supporters can start mapping out Orlando City SC‘s quest to reach the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs. 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