Florida soccer fans have another reason to tune in this Sunday night. Inter Miami heads into enemy territory to square off against Orlando City, and all eyes are on the club’s latest addition—Rodrigo De Paul. The Uruguayan ball-winner, fresh off his switch from Atlético Madrid, is primed to jump straight into the spotlight for his anticipated debut in Major League Soccer.
De Paul's move didn't just add star power to the Herons midseason. It sent shockwaves through the league, especially since Inter Miami is already loaded with heavy hitters like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. For manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino, this transfer couldn’t have come at a better time. The Herons need every edge they can get as the fight for playoff spots intensifies in the Eastern Conference.
The expectation, according to sources within the squad, is that De Paul won’t just be eased in. He’s likely to start right away in a central attacking midfield slot, making for a mouthwatering trio with Messi and Suárez. His sharp passing, game intelligence, and ability from dead-ball situations should give Miami extra teeth—especially with Messi orchestrating the frontline and Suárez sniffing out goals in the box.
Here's how the Miami starters are shaping up for Sunday’s showdown. Drake Callender is in goal, with a back four likely made up of Sergiño Dest, Damion Lowe, Pau Torres, and Robert Taylor. In midfield, De Paul will slot in alongside the industrious Gregore and the creative Jean Mota. In the attack, Messi will probably roam the right, Suárez is expected in the middle, and youngster Yannick Bright adds pace out wide. This blend of international experience and young legs could be crucial against an Orlando side that’s shown plenty of grit this season.
Across the state, Orlando City isn’t rolling out the welcome mat for their southern neighbors. Fresh from a midweek win in the Leagues Cup, Orlando feels the derby day pressure too. Midfielder Eduard Atuesta, who missed the last outing, returns to the fray, likely pushing Kyle Smith to the bench and injecting some extra steel in the middle of the park.
Orlando will stick with their proven 4-2-3-1 formation. Pedro Gallese guards the net, while the defensive line will probably feature David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Alex Freeman. The holding midfield is set with Atuesta and César Araújo, both tasked with disrupting Miami’s flow. Ahead of them, Marco Pašalić slots in as a connector, with Iván Angulo and Martín Ojeda providing width and speed to feed center-forward Luis Muriel, Orlando's biggest goal threat.
This isn’t just another derby. The stakes are high, with playoff positioning on the line and bragging rights up for grabs. Orlando City currently edges Miami by just two points—12 wins, 6 draws, and 8 losses for Orlando (44 points), compared to Miami’s 12-5-6 record (42 points). Every goal and tackle can tilt the playoff picture in the volatile Eastern Conference.
The previous clash between the two Florida foes delivered late drama—a 97th-minute winner from Nani sent Inter Miami home empty-handed. Both sides want proof they’ve improved since then, especially with Miami’s lineup now supercharged by De Paul.
The match is set for 8:00 PM ET at Inter&Co Stadium, and it’ll be live nationwide on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, with pre-match coverage beginning a half hour earlier. Lineups are packed, storylines are brewing, and with playoff implications rumbling in every pass, Sunday’s Florida Derby is shaping up to be the real deal.
