Inter Miami vs. Orlando City: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups

Inter Miami CF vs. Orlando City SC

Source: Sports Illustrated

Match Overview

Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC are set to clash for the first time in the 2025 MLS regular season, creating significant buzz among soccer fans. This rivalry match is scheduled to take place on Sunday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Inter Miami’s Current Form

Inter Miami enters this match after suffering mixed results in recent fixtures. They drew 3–3 against the San Jose Earthquakes, showcasing both offensive capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities. Prior to that, they faced a heavy 4–1 defeat against Minnesota United, marking their worst loss since Lionel Messi’s arrival. The team’s struggles have left them with only one victory in their last six games across all competitions.

Key details include:

Recent Draw: 3–3 with San Jose Earthquakes
Last Loss: 4–1 to Minnesota United
Overall Record: 5 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses across the season

Key Players for Inter Miami

Inter Miami will be keen to welcome back Luis Suárez, who missed the last two matches for personal reasons. He has been instrumental this season with significant contributions in attack alongside Messi, who continues to lead the squad despite team struggles. It remains critical for them to solidify their defense, as they have conceded 18 goals in just 12 games.

Their predicted lineup is as follows:

Formation: 4-4-2
Ustari; Alba, Falcon, Allen, Fray; Segovia, Busquets, Redondo, Picault; Messi, Suàrez

Orlando City’s Resilience

On the other hand, Orlando City SC is riding a high wave, having gone 10 matches unbeaten. This strong form includes a recent 3–1 victory over Charlotte FC, contributing to a solid position in the Eastern Conference standings.

Highlights from Orlando City’s current form:

Last Win: 3–1 against Charlotte FC
Unbeaten Streak: 10 matches
Overall Record: 8 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss this season

Key Players for Orlando City

Orlando’s attacking trio, consisting of Luis Muriel, Martín Ojeda, and Marco Pašalić, has been thriving amidst the ongoing season. Ojeda has particularly risen to the occasion, with two goals in his last two matches. The defense, led by Pedro Gallese, has also been impressive, boasting five clean sheets so far.

Their predicted lineup looks like this:

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Gallese; Brekallo, Jansson, Schlegel, Freeman; Gerbet, Araujo; Angulo, Ojeda, Pašalić; Muriel

Head-to-Head Record

The history between Inter Miami and Orlando City has been tightly contested, with both teams securing five wins against each other and one match ending in a draw. In recent memory, the rivalry is heating up, making this match a pivotal moment for both teams this season.

Kick-off Information

Fans should mark their calendars for a highly anticipated match as the two rivals meet. Here’s what you need to know:

Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Stadium: Chase Stadium
Date: Sunday, May 18
Kick-off Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

Match Predictions

Anticipations are high for this encounter, with both teams showcasing offensive prowess. However, Inter Miami’s defensive issues leave room for doubt, especially against an in-form Orlando City team. Many expect a tightly-contested match with possible high scores, but fatigue may play a factor in Inter Miami’s performance after cross-country travel.

Predicted score: Inter Miami 2 – 3 Orlando City

Tags:

Inter Miami, Orlando City, MLS, Soccer Preview, Messi, Rivalry Match, Luis Suárez, Martín Ojeda, Sports News, Major League Soccer