The Florida State derby is upon us. Orlando City, chasing a playoff spot, host Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami.
It has been an extraordinary regular season so far for hosts Orlando City, who had a terrible start to the campaign, ahead of the visit of Inter Miami. They have somewhat redeemed themselves with their third win of the campaign and have gotten to within two points of Philadelphia Union after beating them the last time out.
The strange part of Orlando City’s season has been their inability to get wins when scoring first. They have, in fact, taken eight points from their tally of twelve from losing positions. So, does that mean their fans might feel comfortable if their team concedes first rather than scoring the opener in games?
Orlando City cannot afford such a predicament against Florida State rivals and Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami. Oscar Pareja will want his players to put up a stellar show at home, where they have been dreadful this season, and put their Florida State rivals Inter Miami to the sword.
Meanwhile, Tata Martino will want his side to stop conceding that first goal, although he can have no complaints about how the team has performed since. Inter Miami have eight wins in the regular season so far, with six of those coming after they have conceded first.
Last time out, they managed a topsy-turvy win over CF Montreal, which also happened to be their fifth consecutive victory, setting a club record in the process. Inter Miami seem to be in irresistible scoring form, with their 35 strikes so far the best across MLS and 12 more than the next-best side in LA Galaxy.
Martino will feel confident coming to the Inter & Co Stadium, considering how toothless Orlando City has been there. Moreover, Inter Miami have outscored their Florida State rivals with a scoreline of 9-2 over the course of their last three meetings, which makes Inter Miami the clear favourites coming into this clash.
Team News & Tactics
Orlando City
For Orlando City, Rafael Santos should be assessed before the game, as he missed the previous one with a shoulder problem. Tahir Reid-Brown also had a thigh issue, and he, too, will be checked on, although there are doubts about Ramiro Enrique’s participation as he’s nursing an ankle problem.
Rodrigo Schlegel will return to the lineup after missing the previous game through suspension, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson had a concussion protocol obligation that saw him only come on as a substitute to replace Martin Ojeda in the second half.
Some selections appear straightforward for the Orlando City boss, with Duncan McGuire, with his six goals this season, specifically to start in the attacking third. He will be joined by former Atalanta striker Luis Muriel, who has two goals to his name so far in the regular season.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Gallese; Brekalo, Cartagena, Sclegel; Thorhallsson, Torres, Araujo, Lodeiro, Angulo; Muriel, McGuire
Inter Miami
Inter Miami missed Diego Gomez, who sat out the previous game with an ankle problem. Gerardo Martino hopes that Jordi Alba will recover from the hamstring trouble that kept him out of the last encounter. The former Barcelona left-back has since resumed training and is likely to start in the Florida State derby.
Federico Redondo will likely miss out with his LCL problem, while Robbie Robinson will also sit out with a knee issue. Other injury-related absentees include Shanyder Borgelin with a hamstring problem, and Facundo Farias will miss the entire season with a torn ACL.
Meanwhile, Miami is anticipating Ian Fray’s return from a similar problem and Tomas Aviles’s return after a suspension. Inter Miami are expected to field its strongest available lineup for the clash, with former Barcelona colleagues Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Alba, and Sergio Busquets all expected to start.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Callender; Weigandt, Aviles, Freire, Alba; Gressel, Busquets, Rojas; Messi, Suarez, Taylor
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- Orlando City have collected only two points from four domestic home games in 2024 in the Eastern Conference.
- Another loss here would mean Orlando City will have lost three straight home games for the first time in 2022.
- Inter Miami have scored at least three goals in their last five matches in MLS.
- Inter Miami CF have won their last five matches in MLS.
- Inter Miami have scored 35 goals, the highest across MLS.
Player to Watch
Jordi Alba
The former Barcelona left-back had a positive impact early on in his time at Inter Miami, and it is a shame he missed the last four games because of a hamstring problem. While Martino has already seen how well his star-studded side can perform, the addition of Alba will be huge for the team and their chances this season.
Alba will add something different to the side, as he has already shown in his early games. The challenge of playing in MLS should be straightforward for a player who has graced one of the top football teams of his time in Europe. Together with his former Barcelona colleagues, the left-back will be crucial for Miami’s chances of winning big.
Prediction
Orlando City 1-4 Inter Miami
Inter Miami are in a solid goalscoring form entering into this edition of the Florida State derby, and they will want to come here to keep playing they way they have under Gerardo Martino this season. They also feel pressure to keep up their place at the top of the pile.
Orlando City have been in a mixed state of form up until now and desperately needs to start winning at home. They might end up meeting their rivals Inter Miami at the worst possible time this season, as Martino’s side are the clear favourites to win this clash by a big margin.