In a much-anticipated Florida Derby, Inter Miami vs Orlando City meet on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (8:30 PM ET) at Chase Stadium. The stakes are high: the winner advances to the 2025 Leagues Cup final and earns a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Miami is the 2023 Leagues Cup champion. It will host Orlando in Fort Lauderdale. Head coach Javier Mascherano will be suspended, watching from the stands after a red card in the quarterfinal. Both teams are also jockeying for playoff position in MLS, with Orlando narrowly ahead in the standings.
2025 Leagues Cup Semifinal Preview – Inter Miami vs Orlando City
Match Info
| Match | Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC (Leagues Cup Semifinal) |
|---|---|
| Date | Aug 27, 2025 |
| Time (ET) | 8:30 PM |
| Venue | Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Competition | Leagues Cup 2025 (Semifinal) |
| TV / Streaming | MLS Season Pass (Apple TV) |
Miami vs Orlando City Head-to-Head History
| All-time (W-D-L) | Inter Miami 5–5–7, Orlando City 7–5–5 |
|---|---|
| 2025 MLS Series | Miami 0, Orlando 2 (Orlando won both meetings, 7–1 on aggregate |
| Last meeting | Orlando 4–1 Miami (MLS, Aug 2025) |
| Leagues Cup record | Inter Miami 13–2, Orlando City 7–3 (all-time W–L) |
Orlando City has the edge in this rivalry. The two teams have met 17 times before (this will be the 18th), and Orlando holds a 7–5–5 overall advantage. In 2025, Orlando swept Miami in the regular season (winning 3–0 and 4–1), outscoring them 7–1.
Miami’s only Leagues Cup meeting with Orlando was a 3–1 win in the 2023 Leagues Cup Round of 32. Overall, Inter Miami owns a 13–2 all-time Leagues Cup record (wins–losses), while Orlando is 7–3
Recent Form
Both teams are in solid form in the Leagues Cup play. Miami has scored in every match (albeit conceding goals in each game), and relies on veterans like Luis Suárez (3 goals, 2 assists in the tournament).
Orlando has gotten key contributions from Martín Ojeda (3 goals, 3 assists, leading the tournament in goal contributions) and Luis Muriel (who scored a brace against Miami this season).
The intensity is high: Orlando sits 5th in the Eastern Conference with 47 points, just one ahead of Miami
Inter Miami
After cruising through group play, Miami beat Tigres UANL 2–1 in the quarterfinal. They then drew 1–1 with D.C. United on Aug 24, with no Lionel Messi on the field. (MLS Official)
Orlando City
Orlando advanced past Toluca via penalties (0–0 draw, win on shootout). However, they were thrashed 5–1 by Nashville SC on Aug 24 – a surprising result after a two-month run of strong defense
- Orlando City last 5 games: W–W–W–W–L (4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss)
Predicted Lineups Inter Miami vs Orlando City
These lineups are based on recent matchday squads and team news. Miami may deploy veterans Sergio Busquets and Suárez to control midfield and attack. Orlando will look to Ojeda and Muriel to supply goals, with goalkeeper Pedro Gallese anchoring the defense.
- Inter Miami (4–3–3): Ustari; Fray, Luján, Falcón, Allen; De Paul, Busquets; Allende, Messi, Segovia; Suárez
- Messi trained on Tuesday and is likely available
- Orlando City (4–3–3): Gallese; Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo; Atuesta, Araújo; Pašalić, Ojeda, Angulo; Muriel
- Orlando is without McGuire, Cartagena, and Tsukada due to injury
Where to Watch
The game will be broadcast in the U.S. on MLS Season Pass (Apple TV+. Kickoff is at 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM PT) on Wednesday, Aug 27. Fans should check local listings for Spanish-language coverage or radio. (International viewers can also stream via the Leagues Cup app or official partners.)
Prediction: Who Will Win?
Analysts are split, but recent trends favor Orlando City.
Some predicts a 2-1 victory for Orlando, noting Miami’s injury concerns (Messi/Alba) and Orlando’s 2025 dominance over Miami. Orlando’s coach Oscar Pareja downplays recent results, but the Lions have beaten Miami 3-0 and 4-1 this year
However, Miami has home advantage and the potential return of Messi. Suárez’s experience and Miami’s recent Leagues Cup pedigree cannot be discounted. This promises to be a tight Florida derby: many expect goals from both sides, but Orlando City may have a slight edge given form and confidence
Verdict: Likely Inter Miami vs Orlando City a close match, with Orlando City possibly edging it on the road.