Inter Miami seeks first Nu Stadium win against Florida Derby foe Orlando City | OneFootball

Losing to Orlando would dent Herons' pride, damage confidence

Inter Miami’s Florida Derby match today against Orlando City SC isn’t technically “must-win,” but losing is unacceptable.

After winning their first MLS Cup in December, the Herons looked forward to beginning a new era in 2026. Los Garzas entered the season with captain Lionel Messi signed through 2028, the most expensive and one of the most talented rosters in the league, and, after six seasons playing in Fort Lauderdale, their new $350 million stadium near Miami International Airport almost ready to open.

But the new campaign hasn’t gone as hoped. Nashville eliminated the Herons from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in March, dashing the South Florida side’s hopes of claiming its most coveted prize. The debut of Miami’s glamorous 26,700-seat Nu Stadium could – probably should – have given the Pink the boost it needed to recover from its Champions Cup disappointment. Instead, the Herons have sent fans away shaking their heads with three draws in three home matches.

Orlando has struggled coming into its first visit to Nu Stadium. The Lions are 14th in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference with just seven points from 10 league matches; they've surrendered a league-high 29 goals and scored just 12 for a minus-17 goal differential. Inter Miami is second in the East with 19 points in 10 MLS matches and an 11-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, but six draws, a sputtering offense and inconsistent midfield have fans concerned.

Interim Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos led the pink to wins against Colorado and Real Salt Lake in his first two matches after replacing Javier Mascherano, who resigned "for personal reasons" in March, but couldn't win his first test at Nu Stadium last week.

The Herons are undoubtedly talented, but injuries and players' unfamiliarity have kept the coaching staff from establishing a regular starting lineup, rotation or even formation. These problems, one hopes, will be solved by time as the squad gets healthier, learns to play together, and becomes comfortable in whatever system Hoyos adopts.

But a loss tonight, or another draw, could set the project back weeks, if not months. Success is the best cure for uncertainty, and that success needs to begin tonight.