Inter Miami CF vs. Orlando City SC Breakdown

Before the signing, it looked bleak as could be for the Fort Lauderdale-based MLS club. Inter Miami hadn’t come out of a stadium with a victory ahead of the Leagues Cup since early June in the US Open Cup. 

Since the start of the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami’s fortunes have changed. Wednesday night, however, the stakes get higher.

Florida Derby in Leagues Cup Round of 32

It’s do or die time in the Leagues Cup. A win guarantees a spot in the round of 16, while a defeat brings with it an in-season hiatus until later on in the month.

There’s no better way for the knockout phase of this tournament than an in-state rivalry. That’s just what’s being served up in the kitchen on Wednesday.

Inter Miami and Orlando City SC square off in this year’s second staging of the Florida Derby. Live coverage of Wednesday’s match begins with a one-hour studio show onsite from DRV PNK Stadium at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT on MLS Season Pass. Kickoff time is at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT.

Our @LeaguesCup story continues tomorrow at 8PM ET!

⚽ #InterMiamiCF vs Orlando City
📍 #DRVPNKStadium
📺 #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV
🎟️https://t.co/PJxmcwCGJC pic.twitter.com/KlyvXqOL5e

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 1, 2023

When Last They Met…

This is the second of three scheduled matches between the Florida clubs in the 2023 regular season. Back on May 20, Orlando City picked up a road win, 3-1.

That evening, Ercan Kara recorded a 19th-minute tally and assisted on Martin Ojeda’s 68th-minute strike to ensure the victory. How will this encounter play out? Break it down!

Inter Miami Coming in Off Week’s Layoff

After having played and won twice in five days, Inter Miami comes into this Round of 32 fixture having had one week off to rest up and prepare for the contest against Orlando. In any year, the MLS regular season is a grind.

With this being the first year of the Leagues Cup as a full tournament as opposed to a series of friendlies, the schedule is as congested as cold-ridden sinuses. Thus, any extended break is welcome.

They’ve been training throughout the week (and will train again on Friday, win or lose), but Inter Miami cannot be a disorganized side on Wednesday, especially given the fact that Orlando City is a team that’s had to claw its way to victory during both group stage matches.

If Miami can knock Orlando off of their  gameplan, the Fort Lauderdale side can clear their schedules for Aug. 6-8. Luckily, they have the guys to get them there.

What Can Messi Do This Time?

How many words in the English language can accurately describe the impact that Lionel Messi has made on this Inter Miami squad? Keep in mind that the team was in shambles until several weeks ago.

Last week, Messi put a stranglehold on the match inside the opening 30 minutes, netting a brace to put his guys up 2-0 en route to a 4-0 triumph to clinch the championship of Group South 3. Three goals in two matches is a perfect start for Messi in his MLS career.

Another brace from midfielder Robert Taylor solidified the match as a Miami romp. Heading into Wednesday’s contest, Taylor’s scored three goals in his own right.

If either of them can get going, Miami’s weekend plans are booked.

Orlando City on Good Form

In the other corner, even though Orlando City has had to eke out victories of late, they’re coming into the match having had a decent run of form. Dating back to July 1, they’ve won five out of their last six matches.

Recently, they’ve had a flair for the dramatic, besting the Houston Dynamo on penalties in the opening match of the Leagues Cup before sneaking past Santos Laguna last Saturday to knock them out of the tournament. Orlando can’t afford to tiptoe out of the starting blocks.

Any slow start against the likes of Messi and Sergio Busquets will doom them. If Orlando comes out limping, this match will be in the bag for Miami.

Can Cartagena Deliver Again?

Orlando City can thank one man for allowing the team to book its spot in the knockout round, midfielder Wilder Cartagena. The Peruvian midfielder picked no better time to score his first goal since joining the team by transfer.

During second-half stoppage time, he took advantage of a Cesar Araujo cross to send in the crucial tally and put a stamp on the victory. After the match, Cartagena called the scenario one everyone wants.

“Very happy for the goal, as a kid you always dream of scoring goals like these, and I was very happy to help the team,” Cartagena said. “This one went in, I am once again happy for the entire team, it was a really tough game.”

If he comes through in the clutch, Miami will be sent packing.

Final Thoughts

This is Inter Miami’s first true test in the Leagues Cup. Will they be able to neutralize Orlando?

Or will Orlando keep its great run of form going? Only time will tell.

Prediction: Inter Miami 4, Orlando City 2.