Will Lionel Messi play? Projected lineups for Orlando City vs. Inter Miami in MLS Sunday Night Soccer clash
Orlando City and Inter Miami face off at Inter&Co Stadium in a new edition of the Florida Derby — without Lionel Messi, who is still recovering from injury and has been ruled out by coach Javier Mascherano — but with plenty at stake in the race for the Eastern Conference.
Both teams reached the top four among MLS clubs in the Leagues Cup — and could meet again in the semifinals — so neither side is expected to hold back in this clash, set for Sunday, August 10, at 8 PM ET, as the headline game for MLS Sunday Night Soccer.
The two sides have met 16 times, with Orlando winning 7, Inter Miami taking 5, and 4 ending in draws. Inter Miami has scored 26 goals in the rivalry, while Orlando has netted 25.
Messi remains the all-time top scorer in the derby with 4 goals, followed by Gonzalo Higuaín (Inter Miami) and Nani (Orlando City), each with 3.
Players to watch
Without Messi — last season’s MVP, league icon, and main attraction — the spotlight shifts to Rodrigo De Paul for Inter Miami (1 goal and 2 assists in his first three appearances in pink) and Martín Ojeda for Orlando, who is in top form and one of the standout performers in the early stages of the Leagues Cup.
In addition to these key players, the match will also feature big names such as Luis Muriel for the home side, and three former Barcelona stars for Inter Miami: Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez.
Match info
The match will be played on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 8 PM ET at Inter&Co Stadium, home of Orlando City SC. Fans can watch via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Projected lineups
Orlando City: Pedro Gallese; Dagur Dan Þórhallsson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo; César Araújo, Kyle Smith; Marco Pasalic, Martín Ojeda, Iván Angulo; Luis Muriel.
Inter Miami: Rocco Ríos Novo; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomás Avilés, Maxi Falcón, Jordi Alba; Rodrigo De Paul; Yannick Bright or Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez.