Top 10 Moments: Orlando City Sweeps Rival Inter Miami in MLS Play

As we count down to the new year of 2026 — which will be Orlando City’s 12th in MLS, the Orlando Pride’s 11th in the NWSL, and OCB’s fourth in MLS NEXT Pro — and say goodbye to 2025, it’s time to look back at the club’s 10 best moments of the year as selected by The Mane Land staff via vote.

I did not watch the 2025 MLS Cup final. I know who won, but fortunately I wasn’t required to sit through Don Garber’s dream result. I did, however, truly enjoy Orlando City’s two regular-season matches against Inter Miami. And since I didn’t watch the final, I get to selectively remember the good of 2025 rather than the unfortunate end.

The first of these two matches took place at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on May 18. Both teams came out aggressively, though neither was able to break through. All of Orlando City’s chances were blocked or went well wide. On the other end, Orlando City’s defense did well to keep Miami off the scoreboard. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was particularly good.

The Lions finally broke through just before the end of the first half when Gallese and Luis Muriel caught Miami napping.

After the break, Orlando City didn’t take long to double the lead, scoring the second goal in the 53rd minute. Once again, Muriel was involved — this time with a takeaway in Miami’s half. He danced his way to the top of the box, and within a few passes, Marco Pasalic scored a poacher’s goal.

The Lions weren’t done, scoring the third goal of the match in second-half stoppage time to put the exclamation point on the beatdown.

If not for some misses, the score could have been much worse for the Herons. There’s nothing better than defeating your rival by three goals. Except doing it twice. The return match occurred on Aug. 10 at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions wasted no time getting on the board in the second match, with Muriel once again getting the opening goal. This time it took less than two minutes.

Unfortunately, Miami didn’t fold immediately, with Yannick Bright scoring two minutes later. Of course, we don’t need to see that goal. The game went to the break tied, but it didn’t take Orlando City long to regain the lead for good, when Muriel got his second goal on the night. It was a nifty bit of footwork and a tight angle, but the Designated Player made it count.

Martin Ojeda decided that one DP scoring goals is good, but two DPs scoring is better. Even though it wasn’t a tight angle like on Muriel’s goal, it was equally as clinical. I’m still not certain how Oscar Ustari didn’t save it, but Ojeda did well to use Sergio Busquets as a screen and powered it inside the near post.

Speaking of goalkeepers, Gallese did well once again against Miami and in particular against Luis Suarez. Fortunately, he didn’t end up hurting himself on this phenomenal save.

After that, there was no chance of Miami coming back, but Orlando City wasn’t taking any chances. Pasalic was the only DP who hadn’t scored yet in the match, but he took care of that in the 88th minute, even though it took two attempts.

The final score was 4-1. Back-to-back victories with three-goal margins against a hated rival are rare. As such, those results are a worthy inclusion in the list of the club’s top moments of the year and a great way to continue our annual series of the club’s most memorable accomplishments and events.

Come back through New Year’s Eve as we count down the remainder of Orlando City’s top 10 moments of 2025.

Previous Top Moments of 2025

10. Orlando City clinches a playoff berth for a sixth consecutive season on Alex Freeman’s late game-tying goal.

9. Luis Muriel’s hat trick powers Lions to Leagues Cup knockout rounds.

8. Martin Ojeda scores the first hat trick for Orlando City since 2015 in a 3-3 draw vs. New England.