Orlando City v Inter Miami: Line-ups, stats and preview
Full MLS preview as Orlando City host Inter Miami
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Orlando City v Inter Miami preview
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano talked up the importance of his side’s second match of the MLS season after overseeing a 2-1 friendly win over Ecuadorean club Independiente de Valle in Puerto Rico on Thursday.
The MLS Cup holders started their 2026 campaign in forgettable fashion with a 3-0 defeat at LAFC, although talisman Lionel Messi, who was visibly frustrated after that game, returned to scoring form against Independiente de Valle by converting the winning penalty.
“More than the fact that we lost last weekend, the most important thing is always our next match,” said Mascherano, via the Miami Herald.
“This [friendly gave] us the opportunity to see players who had fewer minutes [during] pre-season and our first league game.”
Orlando lost 2-1 at home to New York Red Bulls in their season opener, conceding twice in the first 40 minutes before Tiago scored a 96th-minute consolation.
“The first half was probably the worst we have played in our time here in Orlando,” rued head coach Oscar Pareja.
“In the second half, we changed the dynamics and the attitude. We changed many things: how we covered space, our willingness to attack, along with other details that brought us back into the game.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t score, but it gave us more chances to equalize. There were two different sides to the game.
“That gives us the sense that we could have done more, but we also can’t hide from what happened in the first half.”
Orlando City v Inter Miami team news
Defender Zakaria Taifi, midfielder Colin Guske and forward Tiago could make their full debuts for Orlando, while 21-year-old Nolan Miller could be given his first professional start at the back.
Center-back Robin Jansson (foot) and midfielders Joran Gerbet (knee) and Luis Otavio (thigh) are injured.
Midfielder David Ayala’s absence for Miami in Puerto Rico was because of a personal matter, according to the Herald. The new signing was an unused substitute in Los Angeles.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, right-back Facundo Mura, center-half Micael and striker German Bertarame are poised to make their away debuts for Miami.
Messi is set to feature at Orlando for the first time, having missed both of his side’s visits to City during his Miami career so far.
Orlando City v Inter Miami predicted line-ups
Orlando City starting XI: Maxime Crepeau, Griffin Dorsey, David Brekalo, Iago Teodoro, Adrian Marin, Marco Pasalic, Braian Ojeda, Wilder Cartagena, Tyrese Spicer, Martin Ojeda, Duncan McGuire
Inter Miami starting XI: Dayne St Clair, Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen, Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Mateo Silvetti, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia, German Berterame
Where to watch Orlando v Miami: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Sunday is at 19:00 ET (16:00 PT / 00:00 on Monday GMT), with live coverage available through Apple TV.
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Orlando v Inter Miami stats
- Orlando beat Miami 3-0 away and 4-1 at home in the 2025 MLS
- Marco Pasalic then gave City a 1-0 lead at Miami in their Leagues Cup semifinal, only for Messi to score twice and Telasco Segovia to seal a 3-1 victory after David Brekalo was sent off for the visitors
- Pasalic scored once in each of his three appearances against Miami last season
- Martin Ojeda has two goals and two assists in six MLS games against Miami, starting four of those
- Against the Red Bulls, new first-choice goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau matched Joe Bendik and Mason Stajduhar’s Orlando club record of 11 saves in one game
- Miami have lost three and drawn five of their eight visits to Orlando in the MLS
- Overall, they have lost seven, won six and drawn five editions of the fixture, with a positive goal difference of two
- Messi has six goals and one assist in his four meetings with Orlando
- Herons assistant coach Javi Morales’ 19-year-old son, Santi, scored his first goal in senior football against Independiente de Valle, netting courtesy of Luis Suarez’s assist
- Despite their defeat, Miami had more than 63% of possession against LAFC
Orlando City v Inter Miami prediction
Orlando
Inter Miami
Orlando’s strong record against Miami and incentive to improve upon their opening defeat make the longer odds on a draw or home win look enticing. Four of the last five meetings between the teams have been decided by margins of at least two goals, but a draw would likely suit both here.
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