How to watch Orlando City vs. Inter Miami on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021

The Florida rivalry game headlines Friday’s three Major League Soccer games, including Columbus-Cincinnati and Montreal-Toronto. 

ESPN and ESPN Deportes will broadcast the Orlando-Miami clash live on television. Continue reading to find out how to watch the game in 50+ countries.

Same state, many differences

Orlando and Miami have proven to be polar opposites despite sharing Florida state lines.

Orlando City joined the league in 2015 and did not qualify for the MLS Playoffs until last season – 2020. It was not until current head coach Oscar Pareja joined the Lions that the club started heading in the right direction on the pitch. The Colombian manager transformed Orlando City from an MLS bottom-dweller to title challengers instantly, reaching the MLS is Back final after just managing Orlando for fewer than ten games.

The Lions finished fourth in the Eastern Conference in 2020, securing their first-ever playoff qualification. The Lions made it as far as the conference semifinals where they fell to the New England Revolution.

On the other hand, we have David Beckham’s Inter Miami; the club that has spent the most money in MLS since joining the league in 2019 and has seen a poor return of investment following a destructive first season. A mere seven wins, 13 losses and 3 defeats were enough to make the Eastern Conference play-in round, where they were dismantled by fellow expansion side Nashville SC 3-0.

Failures transitioned from the pitch to the front office during the offseason, when the club faced investigations regarding World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi’s contract. The club broke budget rules by using targeted allocation money to sign him when he was supposed to be listed as a designated player. The club was fined and changes were made in the front office as a result of the previous season’s results and the scandal. Most notably, English manager Phil Neville and Chris Henderson joined the club.

Each of the club’s stories has shaped its fanbases into what they are today. Orlando fans are finally living the dream after a five-year wait and are savoring every second of it. Meanwhile, Miami fans have displayed die-hard support from the stands despite having to wait a whole year to finally pack DRV PNK Stadium.

It feels like discussions between the two fan bases surface on social media daily. Inter Miami supporters tease Orlando City fans by reminding them about their past and poking fun at their low attendance numbers. In return, Orlando fans remind the passionate Miami supporters about their poor results and front office catastrophes.

Head-to-head

Despite the fan’s biased opinions, the reality is that this rivalry is even when it comes to the two teams facing off on the pitch. Orlando City leads the all-time series between the two clubs 3-2-1. The two sides tied 1-1 earlier this month.

The Herons have not defeated the Lions at Exploria Stadium, losing two games and drawing one. Both their wins have been at home.

Form and key players

Orlando City is coming off a difficult stretch in its schedule. The Lions bounced back from a 5-0 away loss to New York City FC with a win against rivals Atlanta United and three 1-1 draws against Inter Miami, Cincinnati and Nashville. They arrive at this matchup in second place in the East with a record of nine wins, seven draws and four losses.

Pareja’s formula is made up of a mix of sound defending and ferociousness in the attack. The Lions are captained by designated player Nani, who leads the roster’s scoring and assists charts – nine goals, six assists. Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who has recorded four clean sheets in 10 games and ranks third in the league for save percentage – 76% among goalkeepers with 10+ caps this season, is Orlando City’s protector in goal.  Other players like Benji Michel, Tesho Akindele, Junior Urso, Mauricio Peryea, Chris Muller, Silvester van der Water, Antonio Carlos and Robin Jansson have been key for Orlando City this season.

The Herons arrive at Friday’s clash in great form, winning three of their last five games. Miami defeated Toronto 3-1 on Saturday, claiming back-to-back MLS wins for the first time. Thanks to this impressive run of form, Inter Miami is 11th in the Eastern Conference with 22 points and two games in hand – five points away from a playoffs spot.

Neville’s change from a 4-3-3 formation to a 3-4-3 has turned Miami from flat to dimensional. Forwards Gonzalo Higuain, Robbie Robinson and Rodolfo Pizarro have picked up their game, leading the team in goals. Reinforcements in forward Indiana Vassilev, defender Kieran Gibbs and goalkeeper Nick Marsman have improved their squad since their late arrivals in the season. The team looks like it is heading in the right direction.

All in all, Friday’s game is much more than a rivalry game, but a game that could shape the remainder of each club’s seasons.

How to watch Orlando City vs. Inter Miami in 50+ countries on Aug. 27, 2021

Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami Broadcast Information