Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Orlando Cityvs.Inter Miami

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 May 2024, 13:52
A state rivalry in Florida will be renewed on Wednesday when Orlando City welcome Inter Miami to Inter and Co Stadium in MLS action.

The Lions ended a three-match winless run over the weekend, claiming a narrow 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Union, while the Herons won for a fifth successive time in this competition, defeating CF Montreal 3-2.

Match preview

It was another thrilling affair featuring Orlando City over the weekend, with the Lions collecting only their third victory of the regular season and moving up to 12th in the Eastern Conference table, two points behind the Philadelphia Union for the final playoff spot.

Eight of their 12 points in MLS this season have come when conceding the opening goal, while they have lost two of their last three domestic encounters when netting the opener.

In 2024, the Lions have just two points in their four domestic home games against Eastern Conference opponents, winning only once at Inter and Co Stadium this year (2-0 versus Austin FC).

Oscar Pareja's side are just two points behind the Philadelphia Union for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but have not won consecutive league fixtures all year.

Since giving up three goals to Minnesota United in early March, the Lions have conceded a goal or fewer in three of their previous four encounters on home soil.

If they lose on Wednesday, it will mark the first time that they suffer three successive defeats at home in this competition since the end of 2022 (three).

Down but not out has been the storyline for the Herons in 2024, and their never-say-die attitude enabled them to overcome another early deficit on Saturday.

Tata Martino's side are becoming accustomed to falling behind early before coming to life, winning on Saturday for a sixth time domestically this season despite conceding first.

Their victory in Montreal over the weekend was their fifth in a row, setting a new club record for a single season in the process.

Their resilience has enabled them to create a little separation in the Supporters' Shield standings, currently on 27 points, three above the previous team to lift that trophy, FC Cincinnati.

It seems to take a goal against to wake up their attack, but when they do, they have been virtually impossible to slow down, scoring a league-high 35 goals, 13 more than the next-highest side in MLS (Los Angeles FC).

They have outscored the Lions 9-2 in their previous three meetings in all competitions but have never won an away match against them.

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

D

W

D

L

L

W

Inter Miami Major League Soccer form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

Inter Miami form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

Rafael Santos missed the previous Orlando fixture because of a shoulder problem, Tahir Reid-Brown sat out with a thigh issue and Ramiro Enrique did not feature due to an ankle injury.

Rodrigo Schlegel is eligible to return, having missed their weekend clash through suspension, while Dagur Dan Thorhallsson was no longer in concussion protocol, replacing Martin Ojeda just past the hour mark.

Duncan McGuire scored his sixth goal across all competitions on Saturday and his 21st overall, equalling Tesho Akindele for the seventh-most in club history, while Luis Muriel netted his first two goals for the Lions since moving from Serie A side Atalanta.

Miami were once again minus Diego Gomez, who has an ankle sprain, Jordi Alba was back training with the team but sat out due to a sore hamstring, Federico Redondo was out with an LCL issue and Robbie Robinson did not feature due to a problem with his knee.

Shanyder Borgelin was not on the team sheet due to a sore hamstring but might be back on Wednesday, Facundo Farias is out for the season with a torn ACL, Ian Fray may return soon from his previously torn ACL and Tomas Aviles is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension.

Over the weekend, Luis Suarez moved above his teammate Lionel Messi in the MLS Golden Boot race, scoring his 11th of the campaign, while Matias Rojas has three goals in his last two games and Benjamin Cremaschi netted his second of the domestic campaign.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Brekalo, Cartagena, Jansson, Schlegel, Smith; Angulo, Ojeda, Lodeiro, Torres; McGuire

Inter Miami possible starting lineup:

Callender; Weigandt, Allen, Freire, Negri; Ruiz, Busquets, Bright, Rojas; Messi, Suarez

We say: Orlando City 2-4 Inter Miami

There are plenty of holes in the Miami backline, but being scored on seems to pick up their play, and we expect to see another strong reaction from that veteran group on Wednesday.

Previews by email

Top News

18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mats Hummels is seemingly closing in on a transfer to a La Liga club after his exit from Borussia Dortmund. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly changed their stance over the asking price of defender Joe Rodon. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League champions will travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the standout fixture of the opening weekend in the 2024-25 season. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The 17th edition of the European Championship is well and truly underway, and there have already been plenty of gripping encounters between the majority of the 24 nations taking part at Euro 2024. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The transfer window is open! Clubs around the UK and Europe are getting business done as they look to give themselves the best possible chance at success in the new season. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Turkey vs. Georgia (Tuesday, 5.00pm) Group F at Euro 2024 will get underway on Tuesday evening in Dortmund, with Turkey and Georgia locking horns for what is likely to be a very important match in the section. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mere weeks after a gruelling domestic season concluded for the continent's most celebrated talents, 24 teams and over 600 players are now going again with Euro 2024 supremacy at stake. 18 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina star Lionel Messi will feature at a seventh Copa America when he represents his country at this summer's tournament in the USA. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly learned Crystal Palace's asking price for England defender Marc Guehi. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly earmarked Monaco full-back Vanderson as a replacement for Emerson Royal. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gremio will hope to move out of the Brasileiro drop zone this week when they head to Estadio Governador Placido Aderaldo Castelo to face Fortaleza on Thursday morning. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have been dealt a transfer blow after it was revealed that Pedro Lima would be signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly unprepared to compromise on their £25m valuation for defender Joao Cancelo. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk France's opening Euro 2024 victory over Group D rivals Austria came at quite the cost for Kylian Mbappe, who suffered a gruesome injury in Monday's 1-0 triumph at the Merkur Spiel-Arena. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kylian Mbappe helped France begin their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria despite being forced off with an injury late on. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly on the brink of completing a deal to sign a talented teenage centre-back from one of their Premier League rivals. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Struggling Corinthians travel to Estadio Orlando Scarpelli on Thursday to face Internacional in the Brasileiro, hoping to make this a turning point for their season. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to announce a new contract for defender Jonny Evans, extending his stay at the club by a further year. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovakia have recorded the shock of Euro 2024 so far with a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Frankfurt. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly prepared to consider offers for Raheem Sterling this summer, should Crystal Palace's Michael Olise arrive at Stamford Bridge. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Christian Eriksen has reportedly informed his friends of a key decision surrounding his Manchester United future. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sao Paulo and Cuiaba are separated by nine places in the Brasileiro table heading into Wednesday night's gameweek 10 match at Estadio Cicero Pompeu de Toledo. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides aiming to solidify their places in the MLS Cup playoff positions come together on Thursday at the BBVA Compass Stadium when Houston Dynamo host Seattle Sounders. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic have reportedly increased Matt O'Riley's asking price to €40m (£33.8m) amid interest from Atletico Madrid. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Beaten in their Euro 2024 opener last weekend, Albania cannot afford to lose again on Wednesday, when they meet Group B rivals Croatia in Hamburg. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Already under serious pressure ahead of their second Group B fixture, Croatia could make changes following last week's defeat to Spain in their Euro 2024 opener. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United are reportedly left aware whether AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori would consider a summer transfer. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Romania have recorded only their second-ever win at a European Championships after smashing Ukraine 3-0 in opening match of Group E at Euro 2024. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brazilian giants Flamengo are reportedly interested in securing a deal for a Manchester United winger. 17 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion allegedly attempt to move ahead in the race for an in-demand Championship winger.