Inter Miami have a derby on their hands as they chase another Leagues Cup trophy, set to host Orlando City in the semifinals on Wednesday.
After Lionel Messi sensationally brought Inter Miami the club's first-ever trophy two years ago shortly after arriving, they are amongst the final four in the 2025 competition, as all four remaining sides hail from MLS.
However, it's unclear whether Messi will be fit to take part as he continues to battle nagging hamstring issues which have plagued him throughout his Inter Miami career. He was absent from the side as they beat Tigres in the quarterfinals thanks to a pair of Luis Suarez penalties.
The match is extremely important for both clubs, as Inter Miami seek revenge for a heavy 4-1 defeat to their Florida rivals earlier this month in league play which helped Orlando City jump above the Herons in the Eastern Conference standings, where both clubs are barely clinging to a playoff qualifying position.
Victory in this match comes with a significant bonus as a spot in the Leagues Cup final also guarantees a place in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup. The loser, meanwhile, will have another chance to earn such a berth via a third place playoff.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
FOLLOW LIVE: Minute-by-minute updates of Inter Miami vs. Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinals
Inter Miami vs. Orlando City lineups: Starting XI, team news, injuries
Lionel Messi picked up a hamstring injury in the league phase, and while he returned to MLS action briefly, the injury flared up and left him sidelined again, missing the quarterfinal. However, both he and Jordi Alba, who picked up a knee injury during the quarterfinal victory, have recovered in time to start tonight's match.
Head coach Javier Mascherano is suspended for this match after being shown a red card in the quarterfinal win over Tigres.
The boss decided to rest a number of regular starters for the weekend's 1-1 draw with D.C. United on Saturday, including Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo de Paul, and Luis Suarez, all of whom came off the bench, but all three key players return to the starting XI here. New signing Baltasar Rodriguez gets just his second start for the club since joining on loan from Racing in March.
Inter Miami starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Ustari (GK) — Fray, Lujan, Falcon, Alba — Bright, Busquets, De Paul — Messi, Suarez, B. Rodriguez.
Inter Miami subs: Novo (GK), Yarbrough (GK), Weigandt, Sailor, Aviles, Allen, D. Ruiz, Cremaschi, Segovia, Morales, Picault, Allende.
Injured: None.
Suspended: None.
MORE: Lionel Messi injury news, updates as hamstring flares up again
Orlando City have felt the loss of striker Duncan Maguire, who is out still with a shoulder injury suffered in late May. They are also down in midfield as Peruvian veteran Wilder Cartagena has missed the entire season with an Achilles tear.
Head coach Oscar Pareja rotated a few players in the damaging 5-1 loss at Nashville over the weekend, but the likes of Alex Freeman, Luis Muriel, and Marco Pasalic all return to the lineup.
Muriel had an eventful 16 minutes off the bench in the Nashville defeat, scoring a goal before being sent off. He will be available for this Leagues Cup match before serving a suspension in upcoming MLS action for the red card.
Orlando City starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Gallese (GK) — Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo — Atuesta, Araujo — Pasalic, Ojeda, Angulo — Muriel.
Orlando City subs: Mercado (GK), Otero (GK), Enrique, Gerbet, Guske, Marin, McGuire, Rodriguez, Smith, Spicer, Taifi, Thorhallsson.
Injured: Cartagena (Achilles).
Suspended: None.
Inter Miami vs. Orlando City match details
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Chase Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- Last meeting: Orlando City 4-1 Inter Miami (Aug. 10, 2025 | MLS)
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