Inter Miami and Orlando City are two of the clubs with most Latinos prior to the start of the MLS season that will start next week.
Apart from sharing the state of Florida, Friday's game between Inter Miami and Orlando City promises to bring an even stronger Latino atmosphere than normal. The two clubs have the highest number of South American players in Major League Soccer, a distinction that distinguishes them from the rest of the competition.
Between them the teams 28 South American players – 14 have on each team – more than one of the other 30 ml teams.
Of the 14 -American players of Miami, 10 Hold Argentinian nationality, including Benjamin Cremaschi and Santiago Morales, who represent the United States, as well as Héctor David Martínez, who plays for Paraguay.
Colombia is at the forefront of Orlando City
Orlando City has a more balanced mix of nationalities, but Colombian representation is most striking – especially given the fact that their head coach is Pereja.
Orlando currently has four Colombian players, including recent signing sessions Eduard Atuesta, who arrived from Lafc, and 20-year-old Nicolás Rodríguez, who joins Fortaleza in Colombia.
“Prophe Pareja has done great work since arrival and this team improves every year. Last year we were one match away from the final and we lost in the conference championship. Eduard (Atuesta) knows this competition very well, so adjusting here has been easy for him, especially in a team with so many Latinos. Iván (Angulo) is in the club in his fourth year, and the fans love him – he wants to do well. Then there is Nicolás (Rodríguez). We are five Colombian players plus the coach. We are proud to represent Colombia and take our flag as high as possible, “said Colombian attacker Luis Muriel in a press conference.
Miami-Orlando: A budding rivalry in Florida
Despite the short history of Inter Miami in the MLS, the two clubs develop a rivalry based on their shared home state. “It is like every derby, its own competition. The tension rises and you do not prepare yourself in the same way as for other opponents. From the moment I arrived, I was informed of its importance, and I took it as seriously as the largest Derbies I played, “Muriel added.
Inter Miami and Orlando City will be confronted on Friday, February 14 at 7:30 PM et (6.30 pm CT and 4:30 pt) in Raymond James Stadium, the home base of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in a collision for the season prior to the MLS kick off next week. Little love will be lost this Valentine's Day in Florida.
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