Inter Miami is going to need all the help they can get if they hope to reach the MLS playoffs. Just six games remaining, but fortunately for them, heading into their contest tonight against Orlando City SC, they are only six points out with three games in hand on ninth-place New York City.
Since Messi arrived in South Beach, the club has gone an astounding 9-1-4, with the lone loss coming against Atlanta on September 16. Messi did not play in that game. The club has still yet to lose with Messi in uniform.
Orlando City, meanwhile, is 3-1-1 since they last played Miami on August 2. Messi was the difference in that game though, a 3-1 Miami victory. He netted two goals in that match. Without Messi, Miami could have a much tougher time getting the better of the Lions.
Centre back Antonio Carlos is questionable for Orlando City as well, having missed the team’s last six matches. Both Adam Grinwis and Favian Loyola are out. The Lions are currently second place in the Eastern Conference, twelve points back of Cincinnati.
Inter Miami-Orlando City SC: Odds, Picks, and Predictions
What time does Inter Miami play today vs. Orlando City SC?
Inter Miami-Orlando City starts at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Sporting KC: Stream online
Fans can catch the game on Apple TV+ through the streaming service’s MLS Season Pass. fuboTV is also streaming the game live.
Is Lionel Messi playing tonight?
The big question heading into tonight though is whether or not Lionel Messi will play. The Argentinian superstar did suit up for Inter Miami’s last game, a 4-0 win over Toronto. However, Messi played just 37 minutes, limping off the field with an apparent injury.
Per reports, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino ruled Messi, as well as Spanish fullback Jordi Alba, out for Sunday’s match. Martino claimed this decision was made due to muscle fatigue. He further detailed that Messi is dealing with « his old scar tissue. »
Miami’s next game is Wednesday, September 27, against Houston Dynamo FC. They are currently fourth in the Western Conference with 43 points and a 12-11-7 record.
Jon Hoefling, Sports Reporter: Miami 2, Orlando City 2. While Miami will certainly have a tougher time scoring without Messi in the lineup, the team has proven more than capable of netting a few goals without their superstar. Their last game saw them net four goals, all of which came after Messi had already left the game. They put up three and two goals respectively in their other Messi-less matches against Sporting KC and Atlanta. They’ve also managed to keep a few of their recent road contests close.
Gabe Zaldivar, sports editor: Orlando gets the best of Miami in this one. With an eye on position in the playoffs and the season dwindling, this will be a long game for the Messi-less side.
Inter Miami vs. Orlando SC betting odds:
Moneyline: Orlando City (-130), Inter Miami (+310), Draw (+295)
Spread: Orlando City (-0.5, -125); Inter Miami (+0.5, -105)
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
MLS standings:
Miami currently sits at 14th of 15 in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 9-15-4. Only the top nine qualify for the MLS playoffs.
Orlando City SC sits much more comfortably at second in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 14-7-8. They have already clinched their playoff berth.
MLS Standings: Scores, odds, and updates