Don’t expect Inter Miami and Orlando City to play nice in Valentine’s Day ‘friendly’
The Herons and Lions meet in a preseason edition of the ‘Sunshine State Classico’ on Friday in Tampa
Photo from LeaguesCup.com
Lionel Messi is expected to test Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese when the Herons and Lions play Friday in Tampa.
Some pundits have speculated Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano will sit Lionel Messi and his other starters Friday when the Herons play in-state rival Orlando City SC at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. After all, it’s a preseason match and the Herons have looked solid during their four-match undefeated “Americas Tour.” Messi and his former Barcelona teammates — all 35 or older — have played significant minutes; nobody would be surprised if Mascherano gave them a day off.
Not gonna happen, for a couple of reasons: First and more importantly, Inter Miami will play at Sporting Kansas at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first leg of the teams’ CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup. Mascherano has told reporters he wants the starters “in rhythm” before the first meaningful match of the new year. Expect Messi and Co. to play at least 45 minutes in Tampa.
Secondly, it’s Orlando City; Inter Miami’s history isn’t long, but the Lions have been the Herons’ most natural and most consistent rivalry. This is a preseason Sunshine Classico, NOT a “friendly.”
The match will be available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.
For more on the match, see MLSsoccer.com’s preview here:
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/orlando-city-vs-inter-miami-how-to-watch-stream-preseason-friendly