Inter Miami and Orlando City have been jostling for supremacy in the state of Florida for just over three years now and although the arrival of Lionel Messi and others might make the rivalry a bit one-sided, there is still plenty to watch out for between these two clubs in the future.
The rivalry may take a while to become truly heated, given Inter Miami was only founded in 2018 and entered the league in 2020, but the two clubs are tied for trophies won on one apiece - Inter triumphed in the Leagues Cup after Messi's arrival while Orlando earned the U.S. Open Cup in 2022.
More classic clashes are expected between the two sides in the future. Here's the full head-to-head breakdown with some memorable games thrown in for good measure.
Orlando City 2-1 Inter Miami - July 2020
The first-ever meeting between Orlando City and Inter Miami came at a nerve-wracking time in the 2020 MLS season.
Disney's Wide World of Sports played host to the MLS is Back Tournament that summer as the COVID-19 pandemic forced a dramatic shift in the sports world. Orlando City fell down in the opening stages of the second half through Victor Ulloa's opener, but the Lions would fight back to claim an important three points.
Chris Mueller's equalizer came in the 70th minute before Nani delivered the winning goal for Orlando City on the verge of second-half stoppage time. The Lions would hang on to register their first rivalry victory in dramatic style.
Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City - October 2020
The last of four meetings between the Herons and Lions in 2020 came at the DRV PNK Stadium as Diego Alonso's side earned a comeback victory.
Daryl Dike's 12th-minute opener boosted Oscar Pareja's men in front 1-0 before a Robin Jansson own goal allowed Inter Miami to tie things up 1-1 before half-time.
With both teams fighting for a winning goal, it was Herons center-back Leandro Gonalez Pirez who headed home from Lewis Morgan's cross for a 2-1 victory. The result marked the second-straight home win for Inter Miami over Orlando City and made the series 2-2 through the opening four head-to-head matches.
Orlando City 1-1 Inter Miami (4-2p) - May 2022
A crucial match not only in the statewide rivalry, but also in the Lions' U.S. Open Cup run of 2022.
After regular time went scoreless at Exploria Stadium, Jean Mota broke the deadlock for Inter Miami in the 94th-minute before Facundo Torres' confident strike served as an Orlando equalizer just three minutes later.
A shootout was needed to determine a winner and it was the Lions who advanced into the quarter-finals. Bryce Duke was denied by Pedro Gallese in the shootout before DeAndre Yedlin missed his attempt in the third round.
The Lions would eventually capture their first-ever trophy by defeating USL opponents Sacramento Republic 3-0 in the final.
Orlando City 1-0 Inter Miami - July 2022
Orlando City extended its head-to-head unbeaten run against Inter Miami at the time to five matches as a late Damion Lowe own goal helped claim a 1-0 home victory.
Having eliminated the Herons from U.S. Open Cup play just two months prior, the Lions captured three points at home thanks to Lowe's late error. It was the last home victory for the Lions in the current rivalry and one they did not expect to receive after being held in check for 90 minutes at home.
Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City - August 2023
The most recent instalment of the 'Florida derby' took place at DRV PNK Stadium with Messi stealing the show.
The Argentinian World Cup winner scored twice including the final goal in a 3-1 Leagues Cup triumph for the Herons. Cesar Araujo's 17th-minute equalizer helped Orlando City fight back after Messi's early opener, but the Herons proved too strong in the second half.
Josef Martinez's go-ahead penalty kick goal made it 2-1 Inter Miami in the 51st-minute before Messi's right-footed strike helped ice the result.
Orlando City will have a shot at revenge on home soil in MLS play this September.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City - Complete H2H record
- Games played: 12
- Inter Miami wins: 4
- Draws: 2
- Orlando City wins: 6
Top scorers in Inter Miami vs Orlando City fixtures
READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI'S MOVE TO INTER MIAMI
This article was originally published on 90min as Inter Miami vs Orlando City: Complete head-to-head record.
