LEAGUES CUP 2023
Why is Orlando City vs Inter Miami known as ‘El Clásico del Sol’?
Messi is set to play in his first ever Florida Derby, also known as El Clásico del Sol - but why does the game have this name?
Lionel Messi has jumped in at the deep end during his short time so far in MLS. The 2022 World Cup winner has made his debut, scored a last-gasp, free-kick winner, brought along with him Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for a reunion, got a brace in his second game and is now fit and firing for his first local derby. I suppose if anyone can handle a baptism of fire, it’s Messi.
Orlando City vs Inter Miami, for obvious reasons, does not have the long and illustrious history of many other rivalries across the world, with the appropriately named ‘Florida Derby’ having been played just 11 times over 4 years between league competitions and US Open Cup ties. But this time, at the DRV PNK Stadium, things will no doubt be taken up a notch, as Messi’s first derby will be a true occasion to celebrate as the two teams battle things out in the Leagues Cup Round of 16.
Inter Miami are revelling in Messi magic
Inter Miami’s upturn in form comes at a good time for them, and two consecutive victories - against Cruz Azul and Atlanta United - was not something too common BM (before Messi). But now, AM (after Messi), the team look rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. It’s amazing what the addition of potentially the greatest player of all time can do for your confidence.
Why is the Florida Derby called El Clásico del Sol?
The interstate derby between Orlando City and Inter Miami, despite its short life so far, has already had time to be given a nickname by some fans, who call it El Clásico del Sol. Orlando City started playing in MLS in 2015 and Inter Miami joined the league in 2020; from then on, the people of The Sunshine State decided to christen their local rivalry match with a new moniker, inspired by the name of the state. Simples.
But wait, the game has more than one name...
However, things are not so straightforward. The name of the game is not official and many other options have been sounded out across the years, including The SunPassico, Tropic Thunder, The Sunshine State Series and El Tropico, with none of them seeming to stick. We’ll have to see if El Clásico del Sol does indeed catch on, I don’t mind it, although Tropic Thunder is simply hilarious.
You can follow the game live on AS USA, KO at 8PM ET.