Orlando City vs Inter Miami – Preview, one by one, will Messi play and where can you watch the match?

Inter Miami led Major League Soccer (MLS) last season with 81 goals in the regular season. Surprisingly, the defending champions failed to find the back of the net once in the opening match of 2026.

The Herons will now look to get the attack moving on Sunday evening when they travel north to take on Orlando City.

How has Inter Miami played so far this season?

Miami lost 0-3 at Los Angeles FC last weekend, with captain Lionel Messi scoring just four shots, all of which were off target.

It certainly wasn’t the type of season debut Miami coach Javier Mascherano expected.

Miami defeated the ‌Vancouver ⁠Whitecaps in the MLS Cup and will reportedly visit the White House next Thursday, two days before a road match against DC United.

Messi did score a goal in a friendly last Thursday as Inter Miami ended their Champions Tour with a 2-1 win over Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

How has Orlando City played so far this season?

Orlando City lost 1-2 against the visiting New York Red Bulls in the previous match.

The Lions finally got on the board in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time when Tiago tapped in a pass from Zakaria Taifi.

New goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was bombarded all game, tying a franchise record with 11 saves.

Crepeau said the Lions may be the fresher team on Sunday because of Miami’s trip to Puerto Rico.

Will Messi play in Orlando City vs Inter Miami?

Lionel Messi is fit and available for the MLS clash, Orlando City vs Inter Miami.

He has played in both of Miami’s games over the past two weeks, scoring six goals in four games in all competitions against Orlando.

Orlando coach Oscar Pareja said his team cannot be consumed by the 38-year-old Messi.

“They’ve kept that identity that is normal and functional, and just trying to play with Leo and what he contributes to that team,” Pareja said. “We respect them like anyone else, but now we focus much more on ourselves.”

What will the match between Orlando City and Inter Miami look like?

The two teams met thirteen times. Orlando City has won seven games, while Inter Miami has won six.

Orlando won both regular season games against Miami 7-1 last season. Messi only played in one of those matches.

Messi scored two goals as the two teams last met in the League Cup semi-finals, with Miami winning 3-1.

Where can I watch Orlando City vs Inter Miami?

Apple pass. The Orlando City – Inter Miami MLS 2026 match will be streamed live on AppleTV in India.

(with input from agencies)

Published on March 2, 2026