Luis Muriel once again asserted himself as Orlando City’s talisman, delivering a commanding two‑goal performance and an assist that sealed a 4‑1 victory over Inter Miami in Sunday night’s heated Florida derby. With Lionel Messi sidelined for a second consecutive match due to a muscle injury, Orlando took full advantage and completed a season sweep of their in‑state rivals.

Right from the opening whistle, Orlando set the tone. Within just two minutes, Muriel latched on to a precise through ball from Martín Ojeda and calmly slotted home to open the scoring – the fastest goal of the season for the Lions across all competitions. Ojeda’s assist extended his club record of consecutive matches with a goal contribution to 14 across all competitions.

All eyes were on Muriel, who continues to ride a prolific run. He scored a brace and added an assist this Sunday, taking his season tally to 11 goals and seven assists across competitions. The Colombian forward has now amassed five goals and an assist in just his last two matches – a level of performance that is elevating Orlando’s attack.

A Promising Stretch

Miami responded swiftly. In the fifth minute, Yannick Bright stunned the crowd with a stunning volley that leveled the score and momentarily shifted the momentum in Inter Miami’s favor. The second half resumed with Orlando firmly in control. In the 50th minute, a well‑crafted short corner ended with Muriel dancing past Jordi Alba before finishing with poise to put the Lions back ahead at 2‑1.

Momentum continued to build. Just eight minutes later, Muriel turned provider, threading a perfect pass for Ojeda. The Argentine midfielder cut inside and squeezed his shot past Oscar Ustari, restoring the two‑goal cushion and underscoring the lethal connection between the two forwards.

With time running out, Marco Pašalić added Orlando’s fourth in the 88th minute. He pounced on a rebound after Ustari had initially denied him, sealing the emphatic result and the season series sweep. Orlando outscored Miami 7‑1 across both confrontations.

Orlando City’s offensive output this season has been formidable. With 50 goals in the regular season, they are tied with Inter Miami and San Diego FC for the most potent attack in MLS. Their relentless pressing, sharp wing play, and ruthless counterattacks have created a clear shift in power within the rivalry.

An Effort for the Ages

Coach Óscar Pareja praised his team’s collective effort, particularly highlighting how their defensive discipline fueled the attacking energy that defined the match. He also thanked the fans for their electric support, calling it “extraordinary” and a driving force behind the performance.

Sunday’s result not only delivers a morale‑boosting victory for Orlando City but underscores their serious bid for MLS supremacy. With Muriel and Ojeda firing on all cylinders, and a balanced setup that thrives under pressure, Orlando is signaling its arrival among the league’s elite.

At this point, it is easy to expect that Orlando will be a rising team to watch – one that is capable of putting up impressive performances against top-notch teams in the league. However, it is worth noting that the team will have to brave some massive clashes in the coming weeks as the competition tightens up heading into the final stretch of the 2025 MLS season.

Who knows, maybe it is time for an Orlando City FC berth in the MLS Cup Final. Definitely worth seeing.