Inter Miami Clashes with Orlando City SC: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Inter Miami and Orlando City clash once more. For the third occasion across all tournaments in 2025, these Florida rivals prepare to compete for regional dominance, and this encounter carries additional significance.
Though Orlando has controlled both MLS encounters this campaign with 3–0 and 4–1 victories, Wednesday's Leagues Cup semifinal in Fort Lauderdale offers a pathway to the championship match and qualification for next season's Concacaf Champions Cup.
The defeated team will still have an opportunity to secure Champions Cup qualification through the third-place playoff, where they'll meet the losing side from the other semifinal between LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders FC.
Orlando City has captured only one championship since entering MLS, claiming the U.S. Open Cup in 2022, while Miami seeks a second Leagues Cup title following their 2023 triumph during Lionel Messi's initial campaign.
Here's Sports Illustrated's comprehensive match preview.
What Time Does Inter Miami vs. Orlando City Kick-Off?
Inter Miami vs. Orlando City Head-to-Head record
Current Form (All Competitions)
Inter Miami | Orlando City |
|---|---|
D.C. United 1–1 Inter Miami - 8/23/25 | Nashville SC 5–1 Orlando City - 8/23/25 |
Inter Miami 2–1 Tigres UANL - 8/20/25 | Toluca 0–0 Orlando City (5-6 in pens) - 8/20/25 |
Inter Miami 3–1 LA Galaxy - 8/16/25 | Orlando City 3–1 Sporting Kansas City - 8/16/25 |
Orlando City SC 4–1 Inter Miami - 8/10/25 | Orlando City SC 4–1 Inter Miami - 8/10/25 |
Inter Miami 3–1 Pumas - 8/6/25 | Orlando City 5–1 Necaxa - 8/6/25 |
How to Watch Inter Miami vs. Orlando City on TV, Live Stream
Country | Channel |
|---|---|
United States and Rest of the World | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV |
Inter Miami Team News
Inter Miami pursues a second Leagues Cup championship and will probably welcome back Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, who participated in full training after sitting out the D.C. United match while recovering from injuries.
Despite the organization stating their objectives to capture MLS Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup this campaign, securing qualification for next year's Concacaf competition is vital to Inter Miami's development and aspirations, particularly with Messi in the squad.
However, the extent to which manager Javier Mascherano can rely on Messi remains uncertain. The 38-year-old Argentine re-injured a soft-tissue problem in his leg after returning prematurely against LA Galaxy. Ensuring he reaches peak condition for the MLS Cup Playoffs will be crucial, potentially limiting his availability for the full 90 minutes versus Orlando.
Beyond Messi, Miami will aim to tighten their defensive play, considering the seven goals allowed to Orlando across both MLS meetings this season. Therefore, anticipate Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul forming the midfield partnership, with Gonzalo Luján and Maxi Falcón anchoring the defense.
Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari is also anticipated to return after being absent from the weekend's draw.
Securing victory against an Orlando team that has exposed the Herons' vulnerabilities won't be straightforward, but Mascherano and Miami will be better equipped for what the Lions bring to the table.
Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. Orlando City SC
Inter Miami Predicted Lineup vs. Orlando City (4-2-3-1): Ustari; Weigandt, Luján, Falcón, Alba; Busquets, De Paul; Picault, Messi, Segovia; Suárez
Orlando City SC Team News
Orlando City SC made extensive rotations over the weekend and surrendered crucial Eastern Conference points in a 5–1 defeat to Nashville SC. Nevertheless, they were already focused on defeating Miami for the third time this season.
Expect manager Oscar Pareja to field his strongest available lineup for this match, especially given that key forward Luis Muriel found the net and received a red card against Nashville, sidelining him for the club's upcoming MLS fixture.
The offensive triumvirate of Muriel, Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić stands among MLS's finest and has contributed 34 of Orlando's 54 regular season goals. Additionally, Ojeda tops the Leagues Cup scoring charts with three strikes.
Muriel, for his part, has netted three times in the Lions' two victories over Miami this season and will seek to add to that total.
Beyond the attacking trio, Orlando will depend on USMNT right-back Alex Freeman to solidify the flank and spearhead wide attacks, while Eduard Atuesta will orchestrate play from midfield. Between the posts, Pedro Gallese hopes to rediscover the form he displayed against Toluca, rather than the five goals conceded on nine attempts versus Nashville.
Orlando will be without Duncan McGuire, Wilder Cartagena and Yutaro Tsukada who remain injured.
Orlando City Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Miami
Orlando City Predicted Lineup vs. Inter Miami (4-2-3-1): Gallese; Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo; Atuesta, Araujo; Pašalić, Ojeda, Angulo; Muriel
Inter Miami vs. Orlando City Score Prediction
Orlando City has dominated Inter Miami this season and has performed better throughout the MLS campaign. However, that carries less weight in knockout competition, and Inter Miami's superstars understand what championship-winning requires.
In a two-leg format, Orlando would possess the edge, as Miami demonstrated their difficulties in that structure during the Champions Cup. But for a single-game, elimination showdown? That favors Miami's chances.
Victory wouldn't grant Miami home-field advantage for the final, though, as they would travel to face either Seattle Sounders or LA Galaxy.
Score Prediction: Inter Miami 3–2 Orlando City