Following Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Atlanta United, Inter Miami CF aims to extend its unbeaten run to four when it faces Orlando City SC on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Exploria Stadium.
Regional fans will be able to watch the game live on CBS 4, Unimas, the free Inter Miami App, and the Univision 23 App, as well as listen on Spanish radio via Univision Miami’s WQBA 1140 AM and the Uforia App. Fans worldwide can also tune in to live commentary on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.
"We're really happy with the evolution of the team… We have to continue this growth to be able to fight for a playoff spot,” said Manager Diego Alonso. “It generates a lot of enthusiasm for us to be able to share this match in Orlando with our fans. I think we have a big opportunity and hopefully we can give them a great match and dedicate a victory to them.”
Inter Miami will seek to earn another positive result against Orlando City after defeating the team’s in-state opponents 3-2 at Inter Miami CF Stadium on Aug. 22. The match saw Argentine striker Julián Carranza score his first two goals with the team in the 12th and 23rd minutes, while Pizarro found the mark in the 48th minute to tally his third goal of the season.
Saturday's game on the road will be the third matchup between both sides this season and will be Inter Miami’s last match of phase one of MLS’s continuation of play, where the team played six matches in 22 days.
The away game in Orlando will also be Inter Miami’s first game playing in front of fans since March 7 when the team traveled to face D.C. United, as Orlando City’s Exploria Stadium has been operating at a reduced capacity to allow fans in the stadium while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The match could also present a head to head between Inter Miami’s newest addition, World Cup-winning French international midfielder Blaise Matuidi, and Orlando City’s Portuguese star Nani. Both players have played against each other a combined total of four times between club and national team games, twice in France versus Portugal matchups and once in a Serie A game between Juventus FC and SS Lazio, with a record of two wins for each. Additionally, Matuidi has faced Orlando’s Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese in the past as well, in a 1-0 victory for Matuidi’s France over Gallese’s Peru in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Inter Miami is coming off of a well-rounded performance at home against Atlanta FC in which the team clinched its second win of the season with a 2-1 victory and extended its unbeaten streak and home undefeated run to three. Inter Miami captain Luis Robles and winger Lewis Morgan had standout performances; with the goalkeeper saving a penalty kick twice, as it had to be retaken, and the Scottish attacker scoring a double to register his first MLS goals respectively. Currently, Mexican international Pizarro is the team’s leading scorer with three goals, and is also tied with Lewis Morgan, Matías Pellegrini, Ben Sweat, and Victor Ulloa for most assists with two to his name.
Orlando City, meanwhile, drew 1-1 at home against Atlanta United FC in their last fixture. Overall, the Orlando side has compiled a record of two wins, two draws and two losses in phase one of MLS’s continuation of play. American forward Chris Mueller has led the line for the team this season, scoring six times and assisting three times so far.
Following the announcement of the regular season schedule through the end of Sept., Inter Miami will carry on with MLS regular season action on Saturday, Sept. 19, by taking on Atlanta United FC on the road at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
