Orlando City (0-0-1, 1 point) at Inter Miami CF (1-0-1, 4 points)
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: Chase Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
TV: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass - Free, FOX
Radio: Real Radio 104.1, (English), Acción 97.9 FM (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch on Saturday, when Orlando City SC takes on Inter Miami CF on the road:
Moving On
Last time out, Orlando City SC defeated Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC 3-1 on the night and 6-1 on aggregate in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, advancing to the Round of 16 in this year’s tournament. With their advancement, the Lions will face their foes from last year in Liga MX side Tigres UANL. City will host the first leg against Tigres on Tuesday, March 5, before traveling to El Volcán in Monterrey, Mexico, for the second leg on Tuesday, March 12.
Florida is Purple
The Lions and Herons will square off for the 12th time in Major League Soccer action this Saturday, with Orlando City holding a 5-3-3 record against the Ft. Lauderdale side, including two road wins at the now-named Chase Stadium. Out of the Lions’ current roster, Duncan McGuire, Martín Ojeda and Rafael Santos have all tallied against Miami in regular-season action, while César Araújo has hit the back of the net in Leagues Cup.
Still Keeping it Clean
Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese enters this match off the back of two consecutive clean sheets to start the season. The Lions first shutout Cavalry at Starlight Stadium in the first leg of Concacaf Champions Cup, taking the result via a 3-0 scoreline, before keeping CF Montréal off the board in a 0-0 draw to kick off City’s MLS campaign, with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese making nine total saves across the two games. El Pulpo did not play in the Lions’ second leg match against Cavalry, with Mason Stajduhar getting the start.
Old Blood, New Rivals
Saturday’s match will serve as the first Clásico between new Orlando City midfielder Nico Lodeiro and new Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez. The pair of Uruguayans have had a long friendship dating back to their time together on the Uruguayan National Team, now coming together as rivals in MLS. Lodeiro joined the Lions as a free agent this offseason after spending eight years with the Seattle Sounders. He scored his first goal for City in the Club’s 3-1 win over Cavalry.
Debut Night
City’s second leg match in Concacaf Champions Cup against Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC saw Orlando City’s new Designated Player Luis Muriel makes his long-awaited debut. Muriel started the match and provided his first assist for the Club on the Lodeiro finish. The Colombian forward could make his first appearance in MLS action on Saturday against Miami.
Milestone Tracker:
- Facundo Torres is two goals away from tying Nani (31) for second all-time in Orlando City history
- Forward Duncan McGuire’s next appearance for the Lions will be his 40th across all competitions
