Florida Derby
The Florida Derby is the rivalry between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF. It places Florida's first two Major League Soccer clubs against one another and contrasts Orlando's purple identity with Miami's pink and black.
Origins
Orlando joined MLS in 2015, five years before Inter Miami began play. The clubs finally met on July 8, 2020, in the opening match of the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.
Chris Mueller scored the first goal in series history before Juan Agudelo equalized for Miami. Orlando captain Nani then scored in the 97th minute to give the Lions a 2–1 win in the inaugural derby.
Notable Matches
| Date | Competition | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 8, 2020 | MLS is Back Tournament | Orlando City 2–1 Inter Miami | First meeting; Nani scored the stoppage-time winner |
| June 25, 2021 | MLS regular season | Inter Miami 1–2 Orlando City | Nani scored a late winner in Fort Lauderdale |
| May 25, 2022 | U.S. Open Cup | 1–1; Orlando City advanced on penalties | Orlando eliminated Miami during its championship cup run |
The 2022 cup meeting added knockout stakes to the rivalry. Orlando survived a tense Round of 16 match before continuing to the final and lifting the U.S. Open Cup.
Derby Culture
The matchup is built around state pride, supporter travel, and the contrast between Central and South Florida. Orlando supporters often use the phrase “Florida is Purple,” while both clubs promote the fixture as an opportunity to claim statewide bragging rights.
The short distance compared with most MLS trips also makes the derby one of the most accessible away matches for both fan bases.
Sources
- Florida is Purple: Lions Take Their First Florida Derby
- Orlando City to Host Inter Miami in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup