The I-4 Derby: The most underrated rivalry in North America?

This week, USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies hosted cross-state rivals Orlando City for a long-awaited edition of the I-4 Derby in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32.

Named after the highway that separates the two Central Florida cities, the rivalry gained quite the reputation among the region’s football fanbases during semi-regular, heated meetings between the sides in the 2010s.

Despite the sides having met in the same competition in Orlando three years ago, the Rowdies had not hosted an I-4 Derby themselves in eleven years. When the Open Cup draw was announced a few weeks ago, fans of both sides revelled in anticipation for one of their biggest games in recent history. As an Orlando fan myself, I absolutely had to be there.

I landed in Orlando late the night before after a very long day’s travel. I hardly had any time to rest, though, as we were up early the next morning to head down I-4 to Tampa and St. Petersburg (where the stadium is actually located).

Sixteen-year-old prodigy Gustavo Caraballo proved the star of the show

After a mini tour of Tampa Bay’s brewery scene, we arrived at the parking lots of Al Lang Stadium for the pre-match tailgate. Very soon, the 500-strong Orlando faithful were escorted into the hastily-erected away section, with an unusually large police presence on hand to prevent altercations between the two fanbases that marred our last trip to St. Pete.

Al Lang boasts one of the most picturesque locations of any sports stadia I have visited, sitting right on the Tampa Bay waterfront. The atmosphere did not disappoint, either – purple Orlando smoke filled the air before the game and both set of fans were vocal throughout.

The Major League Soccer outfit rested a number of key players with that weekend’s awaiting encounter with New England Revolution, but still ran out 5-0 winners in a ruthless attacking performance to claim Central Florida’s bragging rights.

Last year, Orlando were one of many high-flying Major League Soccer sides who were barred from competing in the Open Cup

Sixteen-year-old prodigy Gustavo Caraballo proved the star of the show, netting the evening’s two opening goals in what was his maiden senior start. Further strikes from Ramiro Enrique, Duncan McGuire, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson ensured their safe passage into the next round of the cup and a home encounter with Nashville. Victory over their fellow Major League Soccer outfit will see The Lions reach the quarter-finals, with a very real shot at silverware on the line.

Defeat for the Rowdies only compounded what has been a miserable start to their USL Championship campaign, currently languishing second from bottom in the Eastern Conference. Yet another loss to their interstate rivals will be the least of their worries.

Being in attendance for the first away I-4 Derby in over a decade felt special, but there is a very real chance Orlando fans will be made to wait a similar time for another.

Given the sides play in two entirely separate league entities (without promotion or relegation between them), hopes of another I-4 Derby in the near future lay entirely with the Open Cup. The competition is one of the most historic knockout tournaments in world football, with its first edition taking place in the 1913-14 season, but its future is uncertain to say the least.

If Garber comes to his senses, we may not have to wait so long for another instalment

Last year, Orlando were one of many high-flying Major League Soccer sides who were barred from competing in the Open Cup, as league commissioner Don Garber felt that lower league sides were not of the quality required to warrant schedule-congesting matchups with top division sides.

This season, Orlando were one of the lucky few to be given the green light to play.

The Open Cup means so much to Orlando City fans in particular. Some of the club’s greatest moments have come in the competition, not least when we lifted the trophy (our maiden title as a Major League Soccer club) in the 2022 edition, even beating the Rowdies and fellow Floridian rivals, Inter Miami, en route.

I was lucky enough to be in attendance for the 5-1 semi-final demolition of New York Red Bulls that year. If commissioner Garber is to be believed, this game was essentially meaningless. But it wasn’t. It was one of the greatest nights of football I have ever experienced – until now.

If Garber comes to his senses, we may not have to wait so long for another instalment of one of the continent’s most fierce rivalries. At the game, though, there was certainly a sense that we had to enjoy it while it lasts.