iaInter Miami will host Orlando City in the MLS. The Herons and the Los Angeles Galaxy drew 1-1 on Sunday thanks to a late goal. The Lions defeated CF Montreal 0-0 in their first game.
Preview (Inter Miami vs. Orlando City)
Despite not playing at their best this past weekend, Miami nevertheless managed to pick up a point against Real Salt Lake (2-0) following a strong opening triumph. Lionel Messi’s incredible individual performance ultimately saved the day. This is the 14th occasion the renowned Argentine has scored a game-changing goal for the club or country in second-half stoppage time. Inter Miami started to struggle at this time last year. They lost six straight games following the second match. They spent most of the season near the bottom of the standings before the World Cup champion came. Tata Martino’s team has only lost once in their last nine regular season games played in Fort Lauderdale (1-0 vs FC Cincinnati) since the start of July 2023.
They would be just one game away from their longest regular season undefeated streak from a year ago (four) with a win or draw this weekend. Miami has defeated Orlando City 3-1 in the first round of the 2023 Leagues Cup. They have won two of their past three games against them across all competitions. Orlando City’s initial forty-five minutes versus Montreal were challenging as they were unable to generate many passing sequences. The Lions failed to score in this competition for the first time since September 20 of last season (a 2-0 loss against New York City FC), even though we saw them create a lot more in the second half.
Eight away games against MLS opponents later, Oscar Pareja’s team has at least one point. It includes their 1-0 playoff triumph against Nashville SC a year ago. Pareja will take heart from his team’s performance in their debut CONCACAF Champions Cup (CCC) match. They defeated Cavalry of the Canadian Premier League 6-1 overall while scoring three goals in each game.
Team News
Following a left quad strain, Nicolas Freire started the game on the bench for Inter Miami against the Galaxy. Meanwhile, Franco Negri may miss this game due to a right ACL injury, and Robbie Robinson is undergoing testing. Due to left ACL problems, Ian Fray and Facundo Farias are unlikely to play this weekend, and Benjamin Cremaschi is still healing following surgery for a sports hernia. Federico Redondo, the 21-year-old who is under contract with Miami through 2027, was signed by the team last Friday. Federico Redondo is the son of former Argentine player Fernando Redondo.
After serving a suspension during matchday one against Montreal, Rodrigo Schlegel is qualified to make his way back into Orlando City’s starting lineup this weekend. Last weekend, Nicolas Lodeiro made his Lions debut, starting in an attacking midfield role alongside Facundo Torres and Ivan Angulo. David Brekalo made his first appearance in Major League Soccer for Orlando as a backman. Last Saturday, Pedro Gallese stopped all five shots from Montreal, and on Tuesday, they defeated Cavalry 3-1 in the second leg thanks to goals from Lodeiro, Rammiro Enrique, and Kyle Smith.
Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City
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