Orlando City welcomed its South Florida rival to The City Beautiful and had one of its best games of the season, dominating Inter Miami 4-1. Luis Muriel netted a brace and Martin Ojeda had a goal and an assist as the Lions claimed a huge three points, moving up to fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Let’s take a look at the individual performance in this very satisfying win.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 7 — Gallese didn’t have a whole lot to do in this game, but stood tall when called upon. The only concession was a Yannick Bright volley in the fifth minute that he couldn’t do much to stop. In the 67th minute, Luis Suarez tried to chip the goalkeeper off his line. Gallese did well to get back to the ball and punch it over the top. In the 83rd minute, Fafa Picault was sent through and Gallese came off his line to block the attempt.

Overall, Gallese saved four of the five shots he faced. He touched the ball 18 times and completed 75% of his 12 passes, including four of his seven long balls. It was a solid night and a hard-fought win for the Lions’ shot stopper.

D, David Brekalo, 6 — Brekalo took his usual position at left back, touching the ball 60 times. He completed 84% of his 50 passes and one of his four long balls. Defensively, he recorded a tackle, an interception, and four clearances. He didn’t contribute anything offensively, but he was a factor in Miami only taking two shots from inside the box.

D, Robin Jansson, 6 — Jansson captained the team again, touching the ball just 39 times. He completed 93.3% of his 30 passes, including both of his long ball attempts. His involvement in the buildup of Ojeda’s goal earned him an assist. Defensively, he recorded a tackle, five clearances, and an aerial ball won in a somewhat calmer night for the center back. He also took a shot and was booked.

D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 7 — Schlegel was the more active center back in this game, touching the ball 65 times and completing 92% of his 50 passes, including one of his two long balls. He recorded four tackles, two interceptions, six clearances, and two aerials won in one of his best performances this season. He even forced Oscar Ustari into a save with a shot on target.

D, Alex Freeman, 6.5 — Freeman was the starting right back in this game, touching the ball 51 times. He completed 83.8% of his 37 passes, including two key passes and three of his four long balls. Going forward, he put one of his three shots on target. His best chance to score was in the first minute of second-half stoppage time when he made a good run to beat Noah Allen and create space for a shot. But he sent the attempt straight to Ustari. Defensively, he added three tackles, a clearance, and two aerial balls won.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 6.5 — Starting on the left side of the midfield, Angulo had 63 touches and completed 87.2% of his 39 passes, but neither of his two crosses. While he put one of his two shots on target, it was defensively where he shined in this game. The midfielder used his speed to thwart the Miami attack on multiple occasions, winning the ball back in the Orlando City third of the field. On the defensive end, he recorded two tackles, two interceptions, and three clearances. The hard-working Angulo came off in the 90th minute, replaced by Tyrese Spicer.

MF, Cesar Araujo, 6.5 —  Araujo had a team-high 89 touches in this game, completing 92% of his team-high 75 passes, including five of his seven long balls. He didn’t do much offensively but contributed defensively with three tackles, a clearance, and a blocked shot. Overall, it was the type of solid performance Orlando City fans have become used to from the Uruguayan. Unfortunately, he was booked breaking up a counterattack and he’ll miss the Lions’ next game due to suspension.

MF, Eduard Atuesta, 6 — Atuesta also did his part in the defensive midfield in this game, touching the ball 63 times and completing 89.4% of his 47 passes. He had an interception, two clearances, and a blocked shot defensively, while winning a team-high three aerial balls. He came off for Kyle Smith in the 84th minute after a solid performance.

MF, Marco Pasalic, 7 — Pasalic had 42 touches in this game, completing 87% of his 23 passes, including a key pass, one of his four crosses, and two of his four long balls. He put two of his three shots on target, with both coming on the same play. He hit the post in the 82nd minute, making up for it in the 88th minute. The attacker forced Ustari into a save before collecting the rebound and creating a second chance. This time, he guided the ball into the corner for his team’s fourth goal of the night. The attacker also added a late clearance as the Lions saw out the game. Immediately after his goal, Pasalic was replaced by Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.

F, Martin Ojeda, 7.5 — Ojeda was great in this game, touching the ball 60 times. He completed 94.7% of his 38 passes, including four key passes, two of his six crosses, and all four long balls. Most everything went through the attacker. He assisted the opening goal in the second minute with a beautiful ball and scored in the 58th minute. The forward should’ve had a goal in the 54th minute when his first shot was blocked by Ustari right back to him. Ojeda could’ve passed it in, but sent the attempt over the top instead. Of course, he made up for it four minutes later, albeit with some help from Ustari’s poor goalkeeping. In addition to his distribution, he put three of his six shots on target, including his goal. 

F, Luis Muriel, 8 (MotM) — There’s little question about Man of the Match in this game as Muriel followed up with a hat trick against Necaxa with a brace against Miami. And it was nearly a second consecutive hat trick. He started the game off quickly by scoring in the second minute before giving his team a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute. He also assisted Ojeda’s 58th-minute goal to put his stamp on the game. He nearly scored the goal of the game in the 20th minute when he volleyed a poor Ustari clearance from near midfield. Everyone watched with bated breath as the ball rolled toward the corner of the goal. Unfortunately, it hit the outside of the post.

In all, Muriel touched the ball 32 times and completed 81.3% of his 16 passes, including three key passes and one of his two long balls. He put four of his five shots on target — both team highs in the game. Defensively, he added three tackles before being replaced by Ramiro Enrique in the 82nd minute.

Substitutes

F, Ramiro Enrique (82’), 5.5 — Enrique entered the game for a clearly exhausted Muriel in the 82nd minute. He had five touches and completed three of his four passes, all of which were short. He didn’t take any shots or record any defensive stats, but he chased Miami around the pitch to see out the game.

MF, Kyle Smith (84’), 6 — Smith entered the game in the 84th minute for Atuesta, taking over in the defensive midfield. He had 15 touches and completed 92.9% of his 14 passes, including a key pass and one of his two long balls. The versatile player also recorded a clearance as the game wound down.

D, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson (90’), N/A — Thorhallsson came on for Pasalic immediately after his goal, touching the ball six times. He completed 80% of his five passes, his only stats of his short appearance.

MF, Tyrese Spicer (90’), N/A — It was an Orlando City debut for Spicer, coming on for Angulo in the 90th minute. The newbie had five touches and completed both of his passes, including a key pass. He showed some of his skill in the second minute of stoppage time, intercepting a pass, avoiding a defender, and setting up a good scoring chance for Ojeda. Despite a promising (but brief) appearance, he didn’t have enough time on the pitch to earn a grade.

That’s how I saw the individual performances in Orlando City’s 4-1 win over its in-state rivals. Let us know how you saw the game in the comments below and don’t forget to vote on your Man of the Match.

Orlando City emerged from the Leagues Cup play to resume the Major League Soccer season with its first MLS match of August against in-state rivals Inter Miami in front of a sellout crowd at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions continued to ride the offensive wave that broke out against Atlas FC and Club Necaxa into the match against the Herons, resulting in a dominant 4-1 victory and a season sweep of the team from down south. What follows are our five takeaways from a Sunday night under the lights.

Hot Start

Luis Muriel wasted no time putting Orlando City up on the boys in pink. Finding himself on the end of a perfectly weighted pass from Martin Ojeda, Muriel broke past the back line of and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net in the second minute of the match, sending the sold-out crowd into rapture. For Muriel, the goal solidified his recent excellent run of form which saw him secure the club’s second hat trick of the season against Necaxa during the midweek fixture. Ojeda’s assist extended his club-record goal contribution streak to 14 matches in all competitions.

Back to Even

Orlando City fans did not have much time to exhale and enjoy the lead as Inter Miami looked to push the tempo immediately after the opening goal. A headed away clearance by Eduard Atuesta fell to the top of the box, and Designated Player Marco Pasalic was a step too slow to cut in front of a driving Yannick Bright, who struck the ball with conviction and beat the outstretched arms of Pedro Gallese to level the match at 1-1 only three minutes after Orlando City had claimed the lead. It was Bright’s first MLS goal. Truth be told, I am getting a little tired of role players finally finding their legs against the Lions.

Muriel the Catalyst Once Again

Muriel had multiple decent opportunities to find his second goal in the first half after a solid heading attempt fell on frame and then an open net attempt from long range nicked the outside of the post instead of rolling into the net. The Colombian made Orlando City fans wait until the 50th minute of game time to finish one of his most impressive goals of the season. On a short corner, Muriel put a neat spin move on Jordi Alba, maintained his footing, and was able to rifle the ball inside the far post, putting Orlando City up 2-1 and restoring the lead.

Ojeda Stretches the Lead

Ojeda, finally found a goal of his own in the 58th minute on a setup pass from Muriel. The Argentinian put in a world-class effort against some of the best names in soccer and was rewarded with a goal and an assist on the night. Muriel sent Ojeda down the right side with Sergio Busquets marking him. With few options and defensive support starting to arrive, Ojeda smashed a shot toward the near post. Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari could only get a piece of it, as the MLS MVP candidate continued his hot run of form, for all intents and purposes icing the game for Orlando City. It came just moments after Ustari blocked a shot that Ojeda likely still wants back, in which he was 1-v-1 against the keeper and failed to convert the initial shot or the rebound.

Pasalic Joins the Party

With so many goals and assists provided by Ojeda and Muriel throughout the match, the third tip of the Orlando City Designated Player trident may have been feeling a bit left out from all of the celebratory fun. To ensure that he could be a part of the widespread celebrations, Marco Pasalic added his name to the scoresheet in the 88th minute after a wonderful entry ball by Alex Freeman. Pasalic was thwarted on his first effort, but stayed with the play, collected the rebound, and then pulled off one of his patented inside moves to set up his left-foot curler, which found the inside of the far post and put Orlando City up 4-1 to ensure the season sweep of Inter Miami. There has not been a season like this in Orlando, where all three DPs are converting at such a high rate, and the attacking combo of Muriel, Ojeda, and Pasalic still have eight games of the regular season plus at least one more Leagues Cup game to continue their domination.

That is how I saw things in what turned out to be another complete domination of the Herons this season. Let us know what your main takeaways from the match were in the comments below, and as always, vamos Orlando!

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope you all had a nice weekend down in Florida. I’ve been staying busy at work and will get to cover some high school sports again soon. Let’s wish a couple of happy belated birthdays to Orlando City defender Alex Freeman, who turned 21 Saturday, and Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja, who turned 57 Sunday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando City Defeats Inter Miami at Home

Orlando City cruised past rival Inter Miami 4-1 at Inter&Co Stadium Sunday night. The Lions got off to a flying start as Luis Muriel scored the opening goal two minutes into the match. Minutes later, Yannick Bright equalized for Miami. The match remained tied 1-1 through halftime. In the second half, Muriel struck again to pull Orlando back in front, Martin Ojeda added a third, and Marco Pasalic added the final goal of the night as the Lions swept the season series against Miami. Ojeda also extended his streak of consecutive games with a goal contribution to 14 across all competitions. That win lifts Orlando past Miami in the Eastern Conference table to fourth with 44 points. Orlando has never lost a match to Miami at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City’s next match will be Saturday at home against Sporting Kansas City.

Alex Freeman Villarreal Transfer Rumors

Orlando City defender Alex Freeman has received interest from clubs abroad, and the latest rumor going around social media is that an agreement had been reached between Orlando City and La Liga side Villarreal on a transfer move. However, according to Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport, no deal has yet been reached between the club and Villarreal on a potential transfer.

There were also reports earlier this summer that Serie A side Parma had submitted a transfer offer to the club for Freeman, but Orlando is reportedly working on extending Freeman’s contract, and talks are ongoing.

Martin Ojeda Shares Insight on Season and More

Orlando City midfielder Martin Ojeda was interviewed by MLSSoccer.com on his stellar form this season as he makes a statement for consideration in the MLS MVP race. Ojeda scored a clutch goal against Atlas FC and two more against Necaxa last week to help the Lions book a spot in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals. Ojeda has 17 goals and recorded 17 assists across all competitions. He has also either scored a goal or assisted on one in each of his last 14 matches. Ojeda shared some insight on being the new number 10 after the departure of Facundo Torres, the keys to success in his third season with the club, and his dream to play for the Argentina National Team.

Pride Miss Two Penalties in Draw Against Racing Louisville

The Orlando Pride picked up another 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville FC Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium. In the first half, Pride forward Julie Doyle’s poor penalty allowed a comfortable save from Jordyn Bloomer. A few minutes later, Marisa DiGrande scored to pull Louisville ahead 1-0 just before halftime. Late in the second half, Orlando was given another penalty kick after Simone Charley was taken down in the box. Angelina took the second spot kick, but again it was a poor penalty, and Bloomer once again pushed it away. The Pride equalized in stoppage time off a set piece, when Racing Louisville defender Ary Borges headed the ball into her own net. It’s the second consecutive match the Pride trailed 1-0 and fought back to get a draw, but the club and the fans won’t be happy with either result. The Pride’s next match will be on the road Saturday to face the first-place Kansas City Current.

OCB Falls in Penalty Shootout vs. Chattanooga FC after 2-2 Draw

Orlando City B drew 2-2 against Chattanooga FC Saturday at Osceola County Stadium. After a scoreless first half, the Young Lions trailed 1-0 early in the second half after a goal from Nathan Koehler put Chattanooga FC ahead. OCB went down to 10-men after Bernardo Rhein  received a second yellow card and was sent off. The Young Lions fought back as Thalles scored the equalizer. In stoppage time, Shak Mohammed scored to make it 2-1, but Koehler scored his second goal to tie the match at the death for Chattanooga FC. The visitors won the extra point with a 4-2 shootout win. The Young Lions remain just outside the MLS NEXT Pro playoff spot in ninth with 27 points in the Eastern Conference. OCB will be back in action Sunday on the road at Columbus Crew II.

Free Kicks

• The 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals schedule is set as Orlando City will face Toluca Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Dignity Health Sports Park. Inter Miami will face Tigres, the Seattle Sounders will take on Puebla, and the LA Galaxy will face Pachuca.
• MLSSoccer.com featured Orlando City in its 30 clubs, 30 stories, and gave insight into the founding of its supporters groups and how the fans have supported the club through the ups and downs from the USL through the MLS era.
• Former Lion Benji Michel, who now plays for HJK Helsinki, was named Veikkausliiga Player of the Month for July. Michel has three goals and one assist in league play as HJK Helsinki are fourth in the table.
• Crystal Palace defeated Liverpool 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to win the 2025 English FA Community Shield.
• Liverpool has confirmed that Darwin Nunez has left the club and will be joining Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal reportedly for a $62 million transfer fee.

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.