Orlando City Rout Inter Miami 4-1 to Seal First Season Sweep

Orlando City SC thrashed Inter Miami 4-1 in the Florida Derby, completing their first season sweep over their rivals and solidifying their MLS Cup contender status.

Orlando City SC delivered one of their most commanding performances of the 2025 season, dismantling Inter Miami CF 4-1 in a fiery Florida Derby clash at Inter&Co Stadium. The victory not only gave the Lions their first-ever season sweep over their intrastate rivals, but it also cemented their dominance in the “El Clásico del Sol” rivalry, outscoring Miami 7-1 over two matches this year.

Backed by a raucous home crowd of more than 25,000 fans, Oscar Pareja’s side started quickly, maintained defensive discipline, and attacked with ruthless efficiency. Designated Players Luis Muriel and Martín Ojeda starred yet again, combining for three goals and two assists in a night that will be remembered by Orlando supporters as a statement of intent in their MLS Cup and Leagues Cup campaigns.

Lightning Start Puts Orlando in Control

The tone was set almost immediately. Just two minutes into the match, Colombian forward Luis Muriel latched onto a pass from Martín Ojeda and fired home the fastest Orlando City goal of the 2025 season. The strike sent the crowd into an early frenzy and marked Muriel’s 11th goal of the campaign.

However, the lead lasted only three minutes as Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home the equalizer. Rather than rattling Orlando, the quick response from Miami seemed to sharpen their focus. The Lions settled into a high-pressing rhythm, denying Miami space in midfield and forcing turnovers that kept the Herons pinned back.

Pareja later praised his squad’s defensive commitment, saying:

“What gave us the pace that we started the game with was that defensively we showed consistency and responsibility. All of what happened up front, for me, is a result of that collective effort.”

Muriel and Ojeda Shine in Second-Half Surge

If the first half was an even battle, the second belonged entirely to Orlando. In the 50th minute, Muriel struck again — this time with a low-driven shot from just outside the penalty area to restore the lead. The Colombian forward is in blistering form, having now contributed five goals and an assist in his last two matches.

Eight minutes later, it was Ojeda’s turn to find the net. Combining again with Muriel, the Argentine midfielder slotted home his 17th goal of the season, extending his club-record goal contributions to 34 in all competitions (17 goals and 17 assists).

By the 88th minute, with the result all but sealed, Orlando’s third Designated Player, Marco Pašalić, added the exclamation point — scoring his 13th goal of the year and first MLS regular-season goal since July 5.

Pareja’s Birthday Gift: A Dominant Derby

The match carried extra significance for Head Coach Oscar Pareja, who celebrated his 57th birthday in style. The Colombian tactician has never been shy about the importance of this rivalry, and his players responded with a complete performance that embodied the physicality and intensity required in such matches.

“Tonight, having these three points and scoring in front of our fans was extraordinary,” Pareja said. “We played against a great rival, and the boys had a tremendous response on the pitch.”

For Pareja, the key was balance — maintaining a high tempo in attack while keeping Miami’s dangerous frontline under control. Even without Lionel Messi, Miami came into the match tied for the most goals scored in MLS this season. Orlando’s defensive effort limited them to an expected-goals tally of just 0.7.

Historical Sweep: “Florida is Purple”

The 2025 season will be remembered as the year Orlando City finally achieved a season sweep over Inter Miami. Following their 3-0 victory in Miami earlier this year, the Lions outscored the Herons by a combined 7-1 margin across both encounters.

This achievement carries weight not only for bragging rights but also for Orlando’s position in the Eastern Conference race. With the win, Orlando improved to 12-6-8 (44 points), leapfrogging Miami in the standings and positioning themselves firmly in the MLS Cup contention conversation.

Miami’s manager Javier Mascherano did not mince words about his team’s shortcomings:

“We didn’t play with the intensity required of this game. They were clearly better from the first minute to the last … One team was hungrier than the other.”

Fans Deliver “Extraordinary” Atmosphere

The Inter&Co Stadium crowd was electric from start to finish, feeding off every goal, tackle, and interception. Chants mocking Miami echoed around the ground, adding to the intensity of the derby atmosphere.

Pareja made a point to credit the supporters:

“Thank you so much, fans. Thank you so much for your energy. The boys were talking about it all night. The connection with our fans is something special.”

Veteran defender Robin Jansson echoed that sentiment, highlighting how the atmosphere lifted the players, especially after Miami’s early equalizer:

“It was electric tonight. We needed that. We know we’re strong here when we play them, and we never lost to them at home.”

Key Performances and Player Chemistry

One of the biggest storylines from this match — and Orlando’s season — has been the growing partnership between Luis Muriel and Martín Ojeda.

Muriel, a former Atalanta forward, has been in lethal form, scoring twice and assisting once in this match alone. Ojeda, meanwhile, is making a serious case for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award, with his 17 goals and 17 assists making him one of the most productive players in the league.

Pareja noted that their connection is “organic” and hard to coach, emphasizing how rare it is to see two Designated Players link up so seamlessly. Muriel himself credited the entire team for creating the environment for success:

“The chemistry Martín has is with everybody. He’s having such an incredible season, and every moment from him can be magic.”

By the Numbers: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami

·        Fastest goal of the season: Muriel’s 2nd-minute opener.

·        Muriel’s impact: 2 goals, 1 assist, 11 goals total in 2025.

·        Ojeda’s record: 34 goal contributions (17 goals, 17 assists) this season.

·        Pašalić milestone: 13th goal in all competitions.

·        Unbeaten streak vs. Miami at home: 5+ years without a loss in Orlando.

·        Team scoring streak: 19 consecutive matches with at least one goal.

Miami’s Struggles Without Messi

While Inter Miami boast one of the league’s most star-studded squads, the absence of Lionel Messi due to a hamstring injury was evident. Without their talisman, Miami lacked the creativity and cutting edge to break down Orlando’s well-organized defense.

Luis Suárez came closest to scoring in the second half, testing goalkeeper Pedro Gallese with a stunning midfield chip that forced a “Save of the Year” contender. However, Miami otherwise struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

Mascherano will have to address both tactical adjustments and squad mentality if Miami are to bounce back in the Eastern Conference race.

Conclusion

Orlando City’s 4-1 triumph over Inter Miami was more than just three points — it was a statement of dominance in one of MLS’s fastest-growing rivalries. With star players in peak form, a record-breaking fan atmosphere, and a coach celebrating both his birthday and a historic sweep, the Lions have made it clear they are legitimate contenders for silverware in 2025.

As the playoff push heats up, one thing is certain: Florida is purple, and Orlando City are roaring louder than ever.