The 20th Florida Derby is set to take place at Nu Stadium, featuring a fierce rivalry between Inter Miami CF and Orlando City. This match will be held on Saturday and marks Inter Miami’s fourth appearance at the new venue. Currently, Inter Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference with 19 points, boasting a record of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 4 draws.
Inter Miami’s Performance at Nu Stadium
Inter Miami is still on the hunt for their first victory at Nu Stadium, which has a capacity of 26,700 and opened in early April. Last weekend’s attempt to secure a breakthrough ended in a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution. The team is managed by interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, who has taken charge since mid-April following the unexpected exit of Javier Mascherano.
The Herons have displayed strong form, being on an 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Key players include:
- Lionel Messi: The Argentine superstar leads the team with seven goals in nine matches.
- Rodrigo De Paul: The FIFA World Cup champion has recorded 1 goal and 3 assists in his last four matches.
- Germán Berterame: The Mexican international has netted three goals in four matches after a period of criticism.
- Telasco Segovia: He has a team-high five assists and is recognized for his work rate.
Yannick Bright and Segovia will return from suspension, boosting the midfield, while Mateo Silvetti is sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Orlando City’s Challenges and Prospects
Orlando City, currently in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with 7 points, has a record of 2 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw. Fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of French star Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid in July. In the meantime, the team needs to secure a victory to stay competitive for a spot in the upcoming Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
Orlando City’s key players include:
- Martín Ojeda: The Argentine playmaker has a team-high four goals this season and previously contributed 39 goals last year.
- Maxime Crépeau: The goalkeeper is vying for the starting spot for Canada in the upcoming World Cup.
- Braian Ojeda: The new Paraguayan acquisition has quickly established himself as an essential player.
- Robin Jansson: As a veteran Swedish center back, he aims to improve Orlando’s defense that has conceded a league-high 29 goals.
- Justin Ellis: The promising homegrown forward has 2 goals and 2 assists in his first six appearances.
Interim coach Martín Perelman, who took over in mid-March, has experimented with various lineups due to injuries. Orlando aims to end their losing streak against Inter Miami, having last claimed victory in the Florida Derby in August 2025.
Both teams have a lot at stake, with Inter Miami seeking to harness Messi’s prowess and Orlando striving for a much-needed turnaround. Football fans can anticipate an exciting clash at Nu Stadium.
