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)
Everything you need to know for Orlando City's away match against Inter Miami CF in "The Road Ahead" driven by Audi:
Milestone watch
- Facundo Torres is two goals away from tying Nani (31) for second all-time in Orlando City history. Torres’ next start will be his 75th for the club.
- Duncan McGuire’s next appearance will be his 40th for the club.
Stats and storylines
- Orlando City successfully extended their opening day unbeaten run to ten consecutive seasons with Saturday’s 0-0 draw against CF Montréal. The Lions have shut out their opening day opponent in five consecutive seasons, the entire span of both Oscar Pareja’s coaching tenure and Pedro Gallese’s time as the No. 1 goalkeeper.
- Dagur Dan Thórhallsson was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for his performance against Montréal. He had a team-high four shots and 0.44 expected goals from the right back position while completing 89% of his passes (54/61), creating three chances, recording nine ball recoveries, and completing two dribbles.
- Slovenian center back David Brekalo made his Orlando City debut against Montréal, leading the side in interceptions (4), clearances (2), and duels won (6) in his first game in purple.
- As for this week, new Designated Player Luis Muriel has been cleared to play and is officially available for selection in MLS for the first time. Muriel has scored 151 goals and provided 73 assists in his club career while earning 45 caps for the Colombian national team. Over the past five seasons, only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more times per 90 minutes than Muriel in the Italian Serie A. Muriel provided an assist across 79 minutes in his club debut during Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Cavalry.
- Nicolás Lodeiro came off the bench on Tuesday and notched both his first goal and assist in purple. Lodeiro started the club’s MLS opener against Montréal.
SERIES HISTORY
All-time vs. Inter Miami - 5-4-4, -1 GD (2-4-0, -4 GD away)
MLS only vs. Inter Miami - 5-3-3, +1 GD (2-3-0, -2 GD away)
- 2020 - W 2-1 (N), L 2-1 (A), W 2-1 (H), L 2-1 (A)
- 2021 - W 1-2 (A), D 1-1 (H), D 0-0 (H)
- 2022 - D 1-1 (4-2) (H/USOC), W 1-0 (H), L 4-1 (A)
- 2023 - W 1-3 (A), L 3-1 (A/LC), D 1-1 (H)
Meet the opponent: Inter Miami CF
- Orlando City are likely to see eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi for the second time on Saturday afternoon. Messi scored twice in Miami’s 3-1 win over Orlando in last year’s Leagues Cup before sitting out September’s regular season game at Inter&Co Stadium due to injury.
- In his career, Messi has won a world-record 44 trophies, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, four UEFA Champions Leagues, ten La Liga titles, the 2021 Copa America, and most recently the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami. Messi scored 10 times in the Herons’ seven Leagues Cup games, but only notched one goal and two assists in 372 league minutes after the summer competition. He has 1 G/1 A in two games to begin 2024.
- Messi is flanked by three former Barcelona teammates – midfielder Sergio Busquets and left back Jordi Alba, who joined Inter Miami last summer, and center forward Luis Suárez, who joined the Herons this past offseason. The Uruguayan Suárez, 37, has scored more than 500 career goals for club and country and is coming off a fantastic year at Brazilian side Grêmio, where he put up 26 G/17 A in 53 appearances in all competitions.
- Miami’s other acquisitions this offseason include center back Nicolás Friere (Pumas), wingback/midfielder Julian Gressel (Columbus), and U22 Initiative midfielder Federico Redondo (Argentinos Juniors). Among the departures were former Orlando City center back Kamal Miller (Portland), striker Josef Martínez (Montréal), and defensive midfielder Gregore (Botafogo).
- Miami’s stadium has a new moniker, with Chase coming on as naming rights partner. Royal Caribbean is the club’s new shirt sponsor for 2024.
