The first all-Florida matchup of the 2025 MLS campaign takes place on Sunday as Orlando City make the three-hour trip over to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale for a date with Inter Miami.
A 3-1 win over Charlotte FC in midweek has the Lions sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference table, just a point below Miami, who could only manage a 3-3 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes.
Match preview
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Since the end of April, we have not seen the consistent Miami team to which we are accustomed, with the Herons winning just one of their last six competitive fixtures.
Javier Mascherano's side have given up 12 goals in their last four MLS affairs but have kept their games close thanks to their attacking quality, scoring 11 times in those four contests.
Miami have just one point from their previous two league fixtures and could equal their longest winless run in this competition from a season ago.
Uncharacteristically, the Herons have dropped points in half of their regular-season affairs this year (3/6), losing two of their last three competitive fixtures at Chase Stadium.
They have come back to earn a positive result in two regular season contests this year when conceding the opening goal, claiming four points in the process.
Three of their previous four home games against Orlando City across all competitions have gone the Herons' way, with Miami winning those last two matches at Chase Stadium by a combined margin of 8-1.
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After a difficult start to the regular season, with the Lions winning just one of their first four fixtures, they appear to have found their form.
Oscar Pareja's side have points in 10 successive league fixtures, putting them within two points of Nashville SC and a top-four position in the Eastern Conference.
While they have scored three or more times in five regular season affairs, Orlando have not been as clinical outside Inter & Co Stadium, without a goal in their last three domestic away fixtures.
On the other hand, they have only suffered one defeat away from home in the competition this season, maintaining a clean sheet in their previous three league fixtures as the visitors.
Their 21 points collected after 13 matchdays are four more than they managed at this stage of the 2024 MLS regular season.
Orlando City have points in two of their previous three meetings against the Herons in this competition but have not claimed maximum points at Chase Stadium since 2023 (3-1).
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Team News
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On Wednesday, Fafa Picault was kept out of the Miami fold with a migraine, David Ruiz sat out due to a hamstring strain, and Drake Callender was sidelined because of an adductor strain.
Lionel Messi saw his two-match goalscoring run in MLS end in midweek, with Tadeo Allende netting a brace against the Quakes and their other strike coming courtesy of Maximiliano Falcon.
A thigh strain kept Nicolas Rodriguez out of the Orlando City lineup versus Charlotte, and Eduard Atuesta was also out with a neck injury.
Luis Muriel put them in front after just eight minutes on Wednesday, with Martin Ojeda and Ramiro Enrique also finding the back of the net.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Ustari; Lujan, Falcon, Martinez, Alba; Redondo, Busquets; Cremaschi, Messi, Allende; Suarez
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo, Santos; Smith, Araujo, Thorhallsson, Ojeda; Muriel
We say: Inter Miami 2-2 Orlando City
This should be a spirited affair between two talented sides; however, besides Messi, the Herons have not got many other solid contributions, which is why we expect them to drop more points this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
