Orlando City, Inter Miami to Battle in Tampa Bay
Preseason matchup in February 2025 could feature Lionel Messi
Posted On: November 4, 2024 By :Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will play Orlando City in a 2025 preseason friendly at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.
The matchup between Florida’s two Major League Soccer franchises will mark the first MLS match hosted at Raymond James Stadium since 2001 and is anticipated to feature several international soccer stars, led by Messi. The February 14 preseason match represents the first time either club would have played in Tampa.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Inter Miami CF and Orlando City SC to our community,” said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “To have the potential opportunity to see a generational icon such as Lionel Messi take the field in our hometown is truly special. This is something that people will tell their grandkids about.”
The two clubs will have decisive Game 3s in their respective Eastern Conference first-round playoff series this week. Should both teams advance, they would meet in the East semifinals later in November.
Inter Miami, which started competing in 2020, is anchored by Messi along with Sergio Busquets.
“While our most important objective is always our ongoing pursuit of bringing titles to South Florida, we’re excited to have set one of our preseason matches for 2025,” said Raúl Sanllehí, Inter Miami president of football operations. “Planning ahead will help us prepare for a highly anticipated follow-up to everything we’ve accomplished and everything we’re still fighting for in 2024. We’re looking forward to a thrilling atmosphere in our first visit to Tampa since our inaugural year in 2020.”
Orlando City SC recently became just one of two active teams to reach the MLS Cup playoffs in five consecutive seasons. The Lions are led by Uruguayan international Facundo Torres, who recently became Orlando City’s all-time leading scorer by netting his 45th goal in October and has 19 goals on the season.
“We can’t wait to bring the excitement of the Orlando/Miami rivalry down the road to our neighbors in Tampa and look forward to having the opportunity to showcase our Lions in front of a great crowd at Raymond James Stadium,” said Jarrod Dillon, Orlando City SC president of business operations. “We are excited to partner with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission on this event and look forward to it being a great addition to our 2025 MLS preseason calendar.”
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