How to watch Orlando City vs Leon in the USA

Orlando City vs. Club Leon will be available to watch live on Apple TV in the United States. It is the exclusive global streaming home of the 2026 Leagues Cup, with every match in the competition available on the platform.

Can I watch Orlando City vs Leon for free?

New Apple TV subscribers can watch Orlando City vs. Club Leon through a 7-day free trial. The official event page lists the match with a seven-day trial, after which the subscription costs $12.99 per month. Terms and eligibility apply.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Orlando City and Club Leon both have three points heading into Saturday’s Leagues Cup clash, so the winner can take a major step toward securing a place in the knockout rounds. Orlando opened Phase One with a 2-1 victory over Monterrey, while Leon pulled off a 1-0 road win against Nashville SC.

The stakes are particularly high because only the top four MLS teams and top four Liga MX teams at the end of Phase One advance to the knockout stage. Orlando is playing all three of its Phase One matches at home, with Leon representing its second opponent before Atletico de San Luis visits on August 12.

Orlando’s opening win also gave Antoine Griezmann an impressive introduction to the competition. The French forward scored in the Lions’ victory over Monterrey, while Tyrese Spicer converted a penalty to secure all three points.

For Leon, the victory over Nashville was equally valuable. Daniel Arcila scored in the 79th minute to give the Liga MX side a 1-0 win, putting Leon in the same three-point position as Orlando before their first meeting.

Orlando City vs Leon: Predicted Lineups

Orlando City (4-2-3-1): Maxime Crepeau; Bernardo Rhein, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, Griffin Dorsey; Eduard Atuesta, Luis Otavio; Tyrese Spicer, Antoine Griezmann, Ivan Angulo; Justin Ellis.

Leon (4-1-4-1): Jordan Garcia; Sebastian Vegas, Juan Guevara, Jhohan Romaña, Ivan Moreno; Ivan Rodriguez; Daniel Arcila, Fernando Beltran, Rodrigo Echeverria, Jordi Cortizo; Diber Cambindo.

What time is the Orlando City vs Leon match?

Orlando City vs. Club Leon kicks off on Saturday, August 8, at 6:30 PM ET. The match will take place at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando as part of Phase One of the 2026 Leagues Cup.

• Eastern Time: 6:30 PM
• Central Time: 5:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 4:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 3:30 PM

How to watch Monterrey vs Orlando City in the USA

Fans in the United States can watch Monterrey vs Orlando City live with Apple TV, which carries every Leagues Cup match without local blackouts.

The service is available through the Apple TV app on smart TVs, streaming devices, mobile devices and web browsers.

Can I watch Monterrey vs Orlando City for free?

Unfortunately, there is no free streaming option available for Monterrey vs Orlando City in the United States. However, Apple TV offers a free trial before the paid subscription becomes active.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Monterrey and Orlando City open their 2026 Leagues Cup campaign knowing that every result is crucial in the tournament’s new Phase One format.

Unlike previous editions with traditional group play, clubs now face three scheduled opponents, earning points that determine whether they advance to the knockout rounds. A winning start can provide a major advantage in the race for qualification.

For Orlando City, playing at Inter&Co Stadium offers an excellent opportunity to begin the competition with home support against one of Liga MX‘s strongest clubs. Before the game, Bolavip asked Robin Jansson about Antoine Griezmann’s impact in Orlando.

The Lions have developed into one of MLS‘ most consistent teams and will be eager to make a statement against a continental heavyweight before facing Leon and Atletico de San Luis later in the competition.

Monterrey, meanwhile, enter the tournament with high expectations after assembling another talented squad capable of competing for international silverware.

Rayados know that taking points on the road would strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stage before upcoming meetings with Inter Miami and Nashville SC, making this one of the standout fixtures of the opening matchday.

Monterrey vs Orlando City: Predicted Lineups

Monterrey (3-5-2): Luis Cardenas; Gerardo Arteaga Salcedo, Victor Guzman, Johan Rojas Acevedo; Lucas Ocampos, Jordi Cortizo Rodriguez, Sergio Canales Corona, Oliver Torres, Luca Orellano; Tolu Arokodare Cuypers, Diego Rossi.

Orlando City (4-4-2): Maxime Crepeau; Adria Marin, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel Brekalo, G. Dorsey; Tiago Andrade, Martin Ojeda, Eduard Atuesta, Ivan Angulo; Ramiro Enrique Ellis, Antoine Griezmann.

What time is the Monterrey vs Orlando City match?

The Monterrey vs Orlando City Leagues Cup match kicks off on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:30 PM ET. For fans across the United States, here are the local kickoff times:

Eastern Time (ET): 7:30 PM
Central Time (CT): 6:30 PM
Mountain Time (MT): 5:30 PM
Pacific Time (PT): 4:30 PM

“Yeah, he’s been coming in with a lot of good energy, positive energy, good vibe, and also his quality that he brings from playing the game in Europe, World Cups and Champions League, he has some really good experiences,” Jansson said in response to Bolavip.

Jansson, who boasts over 200 appearances for Orlando and has been team captain since 2024, praised Griezmann’s positive impact both on and off the field.

“(He is) mainly also a really good guy in the locker room to have around. Humble, always ready to do the work. So it’s been a great addition to our team, we’re happy to have him, and hopefully we can continue to build together with him for the future,” Jansson said.

Griezmann looking to make Leagues Cup impact

Griezmann scored in his MLS debut to contribute in Orlando’s 4-0 road win over the San Jose Earthquakes and played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 home victory against Nashville before recording an assist in the 2-3 loss to the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey.

Now, the former Atletico Madrid star is set to make his Leagues Cup debut when Orlando hosts Monterrey on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:30 PM (ET).

We’re talking about the tournament Lionel Messi won with Inter Miami in 2023, during his first year with the South Florida team. Will Griezmann emulate the feat with the in-state rivals this season?

The match opened with early dominance from the home side. After goals from Ian Fray (4′) and Telasco Segovia (25′) put Miami ahead 2-0, the team capitalized on the momentum to hunt for a third.

The moment of the match arrived in the 33rd minute. After receiving a crisp pass from Luis Suarez, Messi skillfully maneuvered past an Orlando City defender with a signature feint before firing a powerful, clinical shot into the corner, leaving goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau with no chance. This goal marks Messi’s 8th of the season in just 10 MLS games, further solidifying his MVP-caliber form.

Inter Miami looking for first Nu Stadium victory

Inter Miami are putting together a standout MLS campaign so far, currently sitting in second place with 22 points—just one point behind the leaders, Nashville. Despite their strong form across the league, the Herons have yet to secure a single victory in their new home, an almost unbelievable statistic.

To date, Inter Miami have only managed three draws at Nu Stadium. Their debut at the venue ended in a 2-2 stalemate against Austin FC, which was followed by another 2-2 draw against the NY Red Bulls.

Most recently, they shared the points in a 1-1 tie with the New England Revolution, making tonight’s Florida Derby a crucial opportunity to finally turn their new house into a home.

A landmark night for Messi

Adding to the gravity of tonight’s match, Lionel Messi is making his 100th official appearance for Inter Miami. Under the guidance of coach Guillermo Hoyos, who stepped in following Javier Mascherano’s resignation in March, Miami is desperate to break the home draw curse, and Messi is leading the team to that objective.

Inter Miami started the match with high intensity, scoring early through Ian Fray and adding more through Telasco Segovia and Lionel Messi. Orlando City struggled defensively in the opening stages and conceded three goals before halftime. However, Martin Ojeda kept his side alive with key attacking contributions.

In the second half, Orlando City reacted strongly and gradually took control of the match through quick transitions and long balls. Ojeda completed his hat trick, including a penalty, before Tyrese Spicer scored the late winner to complete the comeback. Inter Miami pushed in stoppage time but could not recover from the momentum shift.

The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann has been one of the most consistent over the past decade, with a total of 34 head-to-head matchups across clubs and international play. They frequently faced each other in La Liga, with Messi at Barcelona and Griezmann representing Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, as well as in matches between Argentina and France.

At club level, the two players have faced each other in 31 official matches, primarily in Spanish competitions such as La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa, as well as in the UEFA Champions League. At the international level, they have faced each other three times.

Club matchups

During those matchups, Lionel Messi has held a clear edge, recording 19 wins compared to five for Antoine Griezmann, along with seven draws. In terms of scoring efficiency, Messi has been particularly dominant, netting 26 goals against teams featuring the French forward, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, while Griezmann has scored six goals in those direct matchups against Barcelona.

International matchups

At the international level, the story has been different, though equally significant overall. The record stands at one win for each side and one draw, which ended in the historic penalty shootout in 2022. In terms of goals in these matchups, Lionel Messi leads with two goals, both in the 2022 final, while Antoine Griezmann has one goal, scored in the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup.

These were results that made history. In 2018, France went on to be crowned champions, and arguably their toughest opponent was Argentina in the Round of 16, where Antoine Griezmann scored a penalty that opened the scoring in the victory.

In contrast, Argentina responded in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, where Lionel Messi scored twice, one from the penalty spot to open the scoring and another in extra time to give them the lead. Griezmann was substituted in the first half of that match, where Kylian Mbappe emerged as the standout performer with a hat trick that forced a penalty shootout, where they ultimately became world champions.

What to expect in MLS

As mentioned, Antoine Griezmann is expected to arrive in MLS with Orlando City SC, where he will likely face Lionel Messi again. It will not be just another match; it will represent the Florida derby between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami, one of the most important fixtures for both teams, making it a matchup worth following when it takes place.

With the two goals, Messi reached 898 career goals, including a spectacular free kick for the fourth goal, putting Inter Miami in control and cementing his impact on the match.

Messi now trails Cristiano Ronaldo by 67 goals. Ronaldo failed to extend his own scoring record in his latest match against Al Fayha from the penalty spot, but they are still proving that both players, despite their age, continue to perform at the highest level.

Cristiano is 35 goals away from reaching a historic milestone of 1,000 career goals. With remaining matches for Al Nassr and Portugal, he appears on track to reach that unprecedented mark.

How many goals does Messi need to reach 1,000?

Messi currently sits at 898 career goals, putting him 102 goals shy of 1,000. With his contract extension at Inter Miami through 2028, it seems possible that he could achieve this remarkable milestone.

Messi’s brace at the Florida Derby

Messi’s first goal came at a crucial moment as Inter Miami pushed for an equalizer in the second half. After receiving a well-placed pass from Telasco Segovia, he created space in the box and fired a precise shot into the net, shifting the momentum and igniting Inter Miami’s comeback.

His second goal came from a stunning free kick late in the match, moments after drawing a foul. Messi curled a perfectly placed strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance, sealing the comeback and capping a decisive performance for Inter Miami against Orlando City.

Not only did Messi score once, he did it twice with two wonderful goals. Far from satisfied, Messi participated in Telasco Segovia’s game-winner, too. The Herons were fighting for their first points in the 2026 MLS campaign, and their captain made sure to make his presence felt in Orlando.

If there is something Messi has proven time and again, it is that he can score from every angle and indiscriminately. He can beat goalkeepers with his left foot, right foot, headers, knees, chest—he even tried to score with his hand once.

This time, however, he scored for Inter Miami with his preferred weapon: his left foot. In classic Messi style, the Argentine ace made waves all around the league. With him back at it, the Herons are a menace, and the MLS should take cover.

Messi and Inter Miami come from behind for huge win

They say the more things change, the more they stay the same. For Messi and Inter Miami, that may be as much a truth as it might be a blatant lie. After breaking the piggy bank to acquire Germán Berterame and undergoing a major roster shakeup, the Herons have struggled to start the 2026 MLS season.

However, Messi is still scoring and posing a threat from every spot on the pitch. At 38 years old and with the 2026 World Cup in his crosshairs, Messi knows just how crucial it is for his side to start the year on the right foot. After trailing 2–0 at the break, Messi and company rallied from behind to win 4-2 on the road.

Reports of Inter Miami’s demise were greatly exaggerated. The defending MLS Cup champions are alive and well, brought back to life by yet another incredible outing from Messi.

Inter Miami finally win in Orlando

In epic fashion, Inter Miami secured their first win in franchise history in Orlando. It took a while—precisely 10 games—but the Herons have finally walked away from The City Beautiful with all three points. In the past nine visits to Orlando, Inter Miami had lost five times (once in a draw and penalty shootout) and drawn the rest.

The tenth time was the charm, as Messi and Inter Miami finally slayed their ghosts at Inter&Co Stadium. While the Herons struggled on the road against their cross-state rivals, Messi had never played in Orlando before. In his first time in town, he delivered with a brace and a crucial victory for the Herons to start their push for back-to-back MLS Cup titles.

According to Jose Armando Rodriguez of Deporte Total, Suarez is sidelined due to discomfort he suffered during Friday’s training. The 39-year-old striker joins the injury list alongside Sergio Reguilon, who is still recovering from a knee issue.

In Suarez’s absence, German Berterame will play up front. The Mexico international joined Inter Miami from Liga MX side Monterrey in this year’s transfer window. Orlando City also confirmed multiple absences.

The home team listed Wilder Cartagena (thigh), Joran Gerbet (knee), and Robin Jansson (foot) as out, while Eduard Atuesta, Adrian Marin, and Luis Otavio remain doubtful due to physical concerns.

Suarez’s declining form

Last year, Suarez scored only 10 goals and provided 10 assists, roughly half the total he registered during 2024. His dip in form kept him out of the MLS Cup final against Vancouver Whitecaps and limited him to just 22 combined minutes against New York City FC (8 minutes) and FC Cincinnati (14 minutes).

Golden opportunity for Berterame

Suarez’s reduced impact forced Inter Miami to spend a significant sum on Berterame. Miami reportedly forked out around $15 million for the Argentine-born, naturalized Mexican forward.

Berterame scored 11 goals and added two assists last season with Monterrey. After going scoreless in Inter Miami’s season opener against LAFC, he now takes on the responsibility of being the club’s main goal threat.

Berterame knows a lot is at stake this first semester at Inter Miami. Not only does he carry the expectations of the defending MLS champions, but he also dreams of earning a call-up to represent Mexico at this year’s World Cup.

Orlando City took early control of the match and built a 2-0 advantage with efficient attacking plays, capitalizing on Inter Miami’s defensive struggles. However, the momentum shifted after halftime as Inter Miami increased intensity and control through midfield.

Inter Miami completed the comeback with goals from Mateo Silvetti, Lionel Messi, and Telasco Segovia, sealing the win with a stunning late free kick from Messi. The victory marks a crucial turning point early in the 2026 MLS season for the Herons.

Oscar Pareja’s men got off to a shaky start, falling at home to the New York Red Bulls 2-1. This derby presents a great opportunity for them to quickly recover from their most recent setback.

For their part, the Herons experienced the same fate, though their loss was even more lopsided. On their visit to the West Coast, Messi’s Inter Miami were thrashed 3-0 by LAFC.

Orlando City’s lineup

With the goal of securing their first win of the season, here’s the starting eleven for Orlando City: Maxime Crepeau; Griffin Dorsey, Nolan Miller, David Brekalo, Tahir Reid-Brown; Marco Pasalic, Braian Ojeda, Colin Guske, Ivan Angulo; Duncan McGuire, Martin Ojeda.

Inter Miami’s starting XI in the Florida Derby

One of the main questions on everyone’s mind was whether Lionel Messi will play against Orlando City today in the Florida Derby. As expected, the Argentine star will play from the get-go.

Inter Miami’s starting lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Facundo Mura, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, German Berterame, Tadeo Allende.