Orlando City at Inter Miami CF (Leagues Cup)
When: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Chase Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (subscription required)
Radio: AM 810 Fox Sports Radio, (English), Mega 97.1 (Spanish)
Here are five storylines to watch for Wednesday's semifinal derby match with Inter Miami
Designated Dominance
Orlando City’s Designated Players are enjoying a remarkable run of form, contributing more to the scoresheet than any other DP trio in Major League Soccer. Leading the way is Martín Ojeda, who has been the most productive of the trio, tallying 14 goals and 14 assists for a total of 28 goal contributions in regular season play. Luis Muriel has been a consistent presence in the attack, recording 16 goal contributions with nine goals and seven assists, while Marco Pašalić has added to the firepower with 11 goals and four assists, bringing his total to 15. Altogether, the three have combined for an impressive 59 goal contributions, more than any other group of Designated Players in the league. The next closest challengers are Western Conference foes San Diego FC, whose DPs have totaled 51 goal contributions to date.
Final Four
Orlando City SC advanced to the Leagues Cup Semifinals after a tense 0-0 draw against reigning Liga MX and Campeón de Campeones titleholders Deportivo Toluca last Wednesday, ultimately securing victory in a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was instrumental, saving two consecutive penalties before stepping up to convert the match-winning kick himself. With this result, Orlando improves its all-time penalty shootout record to 11-3. The club now prepares to face intrastate rivals Inter Miami CF on Wednesday, August 27, at Chase Stadium. With three berths in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup on the line, Orlando is guaranteed one additional match following the Semifinal, either the Final or the Third-Place Match, depending on its own result and the outcome of the Seattle Sounders FC at LA Galaxy Semifinal.
Martín for MVP
Midfielder Martín Ojeda enters Wednesday night’s Semifinal with 28 goal contributions in the 2025 MLS season, tallying 14 goals and 14 assists. Across all competitions, he has 35 total contributions, 17 goals and 18 assists. Ojeda has recorded a goal contribution in 12 consecutive MLS matches, tying Sebastian Giovinco’s 2018 mark for the second-longest streak in league history. He is now just three games away from matching Josef Martínez’s all-time record of 15, set in 2019. Notably, Ojeda maintained his streak despite not appearing in City’s recent match against Nashville SC. Over his last 41 MLS regular season starts, Ojeda has amassed 17 goals and 25 assists, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s most dynamic and productive playmakers. In the 2025 Leagues Cup, Ojeda leads all players in goal contributions with six, three goals and three assists, ranking third in goals and first in assists.
Florida is Purple
Orlando City SC has already dominated Inter Miami CF twice in 2025, first with a 3-0 victory at Chase Stadium in May and more recently with a 4-1 win at home on August 10. Luis Muriel has been especially impactful, recording three goals and one assist across the two matches. Marco Pašalić found the net in both games, while Martín Ojeda contributed one goal and one assist in the August clash.
Continental Clashes
Wednesday’s matchup between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF carries more weight than just a spot in the Leagues Cup 2025 Final and a shot at another trophy. The winner will also secure a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, with the top three finishers in Leagues Cup earning qualification. Orlando City has qualified for the Champions Cup twice before, first in 2023, after winning the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and again in 2024, following a second-place finish in the 2023 Supporters’ Shield standings. In their 2023 campaign, the Lions faced Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL, drawing 1-1 over two legs and narrowly exiting the tournament via the away goals rule. In 2024, Orlando defeated Canadian side Cavalry FC 6-1 before once again falling to Tigres in the next round.
Milestone Tracker:
-Martín Ojeda is one goal contribution away from matching Facundo Torres’ Orlando City career record of 72 in all competitions.
-César Araújo is two appearances away from 150 for Orlando City in all competitions.
