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Orlando City vs. Montreal Impact: Final Score 2-0 as Impact Sweep the Lions

The Lions were never a threat to score and an early mistake allowed Montreal to park the bus.

Published

7 years ago

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Carlos Romero, The Mane Land

Orlando City will be glad not to see the Montreal Impact anymore this season. The Impact got yet another goal from Ignacio Piatti and the second Orlando City own goal in 10 days to escape Orlando City Stadium with a 2-0 win over the Lions, who have now lost seven straight in MLS play.

The announced crowd of 23,498 had to wait a half hour due to a weather delay but there wasn’t much to cheer for over the course of the 90 minutes.

Orlando (6-9-1, 19 points) wasn’t threatening at all after falling behind Montreal (6-11-0) just 13 minutes in on the own goal by Lamine Sané and is now below the playoff line after results elsewhere.

Bobby Murphy stuck with the 3-4-3, despite using five players who went 120 minutes on Wednesday night in U.S. Open Cup play on the road — something he admitted after the match may have been a mistake. Dom Dwyer took over at striker in between Justin Meram and Josué Colmán in front of a midfield of Donny Toia, Uri Rosell, Sacha Kljestan, and Will Johnson. Amro Tarek, Sané, and Jonathan Spector manned the back line.

The first half may have been the most boring 45 minutes seen in Orlando City Stadium this season, overall. But it didn’t start out that way.

Dwyer earned a free kick in the game’s first minute but Johnson blasted the set piece over the bar.

Montreal got the first good chance when Piatti fired on frame in the seventh minute but Joe Bendik parried the shot away. Spector headed wide on a corner kick in the 10th minute for Orlando.

Disaster struck in the 13th minute when Matteo Mancosu fizzed a cross into the area and Sané tried to nod it behind for a corner but instead he only got a glancing touch on it and it beat Bendik to the near post to make it 1-0 Montreal.

After the goal, the Impact sat back and were content to counter when possible. Montreal did well to gum up the pitch and allow very little space for the Lions to operate in. Orlando City never threatened goal for the rest of the first half.

Montreal got a couple of weak shots on target from outside the area but Bendik was called to action on a Mancosu header in the 35th minute that he did well to keep out.

Orlando City had more possession (56%-44%) in the first half and was the better passing team (88%-87%). Montreal led in shots (7-2), shots on goal (4-0). The Impact were quite content to sit behind the ball and wait for counter attacks after the own goal and the Lions were stagnant in the attack.

“I think the first half we had next to no energy and that might have been me thinking people could get through what they went through on Wednesday night, thinking we’d get a lift from some people we brought in, and none of it seemed to work,” Murphy said. “That’s on me.”

The Lions started the second half with a bit more energy but still struggled with quality in the attack. Meram put in an early back post cross but no one made the run. A few moments later, Meram made a nice turn in traffic at the top of the penalty area and tried to play Dwyer in alone but put a tad too much on the pass and Evan Bush collected it.

Mancosu had a go for Montreal in the 54th minute but missed the goal frame. Bendik then denied Alejandro Silva in the 62nd minute.

The Lions’ best opportunity came two minutes later. Dwyer laid a ball off for Kljestan who fired just a foot or so wide of the goal.

That chance came just after Chris Mueller subbed on for Amro Tarek and Orlando shifted into a 4-2-3-1. Moments after the miss, Scott Sutter made his return to the pitch for the first time since April 8 against Portland, replacing Will Johnson at right back.

“It was nice to get back out there, nice to be involved,” Sutter said after the game. “Obviously really, really disappointed that we lost again.”

Mueller got into the box in the 67th minute but took a heavy touch before going down after some contact, but there wasn’t enough in the challenge to warrant a penalty, especially after the rookie lost the ball. Colmán buzzed a cross into the box in the 69th that was cut out for a corner and Orlando finally got a shot on target out of it. Colmán’s cross found the foot of Sané, who fired it on goal but Bush stopped it right on the goal line.

Sutter put in a dangerous cross in the 75th minute that nearly connected with Dwyer, who either mishit it with his head or else he was perhaps trying to nod it back for Meram, but the chance fizzled out.

Piatti scored in the aftermath of a short corner in the 84th minute but the play was originally ruled offside. The play was reviewed and the goal counted, as Raheem Edwards was off but was judged not to have interfered with the play. Piatti was close to being off, but Spector just kept him on.

Piatti now has eight goals in nine games against the Lions.

Orlando launched about four more shot attempts over the bar in the final moments, plus six added minutes, before the final whistle blew on an utterly forgettable match.

The Lions were out-shot, 12-8, but a whopping 6-1 on target. Going back to Wednesday night’s U.S. Open Cup match, the team has fired 29 shots while only directing four of those on frame.

“To get the chemistry in attack, it takes time. We’ve got to just be better at it, and that’s my job for right now,” Murphy said.

Orlando held 55% of the possession and out-passed Montreal (86%-84%) but it was mainly due to Montreal’s willingness to sit back and defend in numbers.

“I want to apologize to the fans who came out tonight,” Murphy said. “The team selection falls on me and I chose a group that went out there and we weren’t good enough tonight. So that’s my responsibility.”

Orlando City will not have an easy time of stopping the losing streak at seven games, as the Lions will next visit Atlanta United on Saturday, June 30 .

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 12/9/25

Thomas Williams departs via trade, World Cup hydration breaks, UEFA Champions League previews, and more.

Published

4 hours ago

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December 9, 2025

By

Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Good morning, everyone. The 2025 MLS season is officially over, which means it’s time to start looking ahead to 2026. The start of next season is still over two months away, but there are still plenty of things going on in the soccer world during the meantime. We’ve got a lot to discuss this morning so let’s get right into the links.

Thomas Williams Traded

Orlando City announced on Monday that it has traded Homegrown center back Thomas Williams to Nashville SC. In exchange, Nashville sent Orlando its first-round pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft and will also send up to an additional $100,000 in General Allocation Money if certain performance incentives are hit. That first-round pick is the 20th overall selection in the draft, meaning that Orlando now has the fifth, ninth, 14th, and the 20th overall picks, for a whopping four first-round selections. Williams’ departure means that Orlando will likely need to sign a fourth center back to join Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and David Brekalo, although whether that happens in the draft or via the transfer window/trade market is anyone’s guess.

World Cup Will Have Hydration Breaks

FIFA has announced that every game in the 2026 World Cup will be paused for three minutes during each half for a hydration break, regardless of weather conditions. The break will occur 22 minutes into each half, and effectively splits the game into four quarters. After some games in the Club World Cup were played in over 100-degree heat, the decision to include water breaks was made to prioritize player safety, and the choice to have breaks even in games where conditions don’t call for one is intended to ensure competitive balance. The decision is a sensible one when it comes to player welfare, but don’t be at all surprised when FIFA uses the three-minute time frame to run advertisements, because I guarantee that’s what will happen.

UEFA Champions League Returns

The UEFA Champions League is back for its sixth round of league phase matches this week, and there are several eye-catching matchups on the docket. Today’s action is highlighted by Liverpool traveling to the San Siro to face Inter Milan, and the Reds will be hoping for a repeat of the Round of 16 tie between the two teams back in 2021-2022, when they beat the Italians 2-0 in Milan. Meanwhile, Chelsea will hope to build off an impressive 3-0 win over Barcelona on matchday five, when the Blues travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta. The tentpole match on Wednesday sees Real Madrid host Manchester City, with the match marking the fifth straight season that the teams have played each other in the Champions League.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

The January transfer window will be here before we know it, and as expected, the rumor mill is firing on all cylinders. Up first, Napoli is said to be increasing its efforts to sign Kobbie Mainoo on loan next month, as the Italian club needs capable bodies in a midfield that’s been wracked by injuries. Atletico Madrid is reportedly interested in signing Valentin Barco from Strasbourg, but Chelsea may have an advantage in landing his signature due to the fact that Strasbourg and Chelsea are sister clubs. AC Milan is said to be planning to use Luka Modric’s connection to Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to help sign the Ukrainian shot stopper if current goalkeeper Mike Maignan leaves at the end of the season. Finally, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Manchester United are all said to be interested in signing Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, but the French club wants a fee in the area of €60 million.

Free Kicks

  • Here’s a peek at some of the off-season renovations underway at Inter&Co Stadium.
  • The NWSL will be hosting a combine for the first time.

🔵 Sources: Sporting KC has acquired GK Stefan Cleveland from Austin FC.Deal is worth $50k GAM. Cleveland has signed a new contract with SKC.

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-12-08T16:13:32.116Z

That’s all I have for you this morning. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Orlando City Sends Defender Thomas Williams to Nashville for First-Round Pick

The Lions deal their Homegrown center back to Nashville for a first-round 2026 draft pick.

Published

20 hours ago

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December 8, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City announced today that the club has sent Homegrown center back Thomas Williams to Nashville SC in a trade for the Tennessee club’s first pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. The deal could also net Orlando City up to an additional $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) if Williams meets certain performance metrics.

The pick acquired is the No. 20 overall selection in the Dec. 18 SuperDraft, giving Orlando four picks in the draft’s first round. The Lions hold the No. 5 overall pick (from the LA Galaxy), the No. 9 selection (from the Houston Dynamo FC), their own pick at No. 14, and now the No. 20 slot from Nashville.

The club signed Williams, 21, to a Homegrown Player contract on June 15, 2021, making him the 11th Homegrown signing in OCSC history. He was just 16 years old at the time and already stood 6-foot-4. He was the club’s youngest Homegrown signing to that point at just 16 years and 10 months, surpassing Tommy Redding (17 years, one month, 15 days). Orlando City picked up Williams’ contract option in 2024 and apparently saw enough in his development to sign him to a new contract through 2026 on Jan. 22 with an option for 2027.

In 2025, Williams spent most of his season with Orlando City B, where he played in 24 games, (all starts), logging 2,117 minutes with the Young Lions. Defensively, he recorded 44 clearances, 35 tackles, 31 interceptions, 25 blocks and 33 aerial duels won in MLS NEXT Pro. He committed 27 fouls while picking up seven yellow cards and suffering seven fouls. He passed with 91% accuracy while completing three key passes and contributing one assist, and he took 14 shots with six of them finding the target. For the senior side, Williams was limited to one appearance from the substitutes’ bench for a total of 10 minutes against CF Montreal in the regular season, and he did not appear in any other competitions. He contributed three clearances, one tackle, and one interception on defense while also committing a foul. He completed his lone pass but did not record any offensive statistics.

Williams did not appear with the first team in MLS play in 2024 or 2023, but he made four appearances (two starts) in 2022, logging 181 minutes without a goal contribution. He made his MLS debut with Orlando City on April 16 of that season, when he played one minute off the bench in the Lions’ 2-0 win at Columbus. He entered during stoppage time and did not even register a touch of the ball. His first start with the senior team came just days later, when the Lions hosted the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the U.S. Open Cup — a game Orlando won 2-1 on April 20. In all, Williams was on Orlando City’s team sheet for 24 league matches and two USOC games. He played in just the one game vs. Tampa Bay, going 90 minutes; recording no goals, assists, or shots; passing at an 89% success rate; and committing one foul.

What It Means for Orlando City

At just 21 years old, there is still a ton of time for Williams to develop into the center back Orlando City envisioned when the club signed him as a Homegrown Player, but if he does, it will be somewhere other than in Orlando. Williams has been an inconsistent performer at the MLS NEXT Pro level over the past few seasons, but some of that can be attributed to the number of different lineups and center back partners he’s played with over that time. It became clear that Orlando City’s current coaching staff did not trust Williams enough to give him first-team minutes when Kyle Smith started filling in when the Lions were down more than one center back from the group of Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and David Brekalo.

What this move might do, aside from potentially bringing in a player in the draft who can help the club for years to come, is force Orlando City to sign a capable fourth center back, which is something that the club has seemed loathe to do while Williams was waiting in the wings with OCB. Not having that fourth guy hurt the team in the Leagues Cup third-place match against the LA Galaxy in 2025, and it could have bitten the team at any time if injuries would have hit that position group hard. A veteran MLS center back who is willing to play a role off the bench would be a strong addition to the team’s defensive corps, given the propensity of Jansson and Schlegel to get suspended through yellow card accumulation or the occasional straight red card.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 12/8/25

USMNT World Cup group is set, the bad guys win MLS Cup, Americans abroad, and more.

Published

1 day ago

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December 8, 2025

By

Image of Alex Freeman celebrating his first goal against Uruguay in the USMNT's 5-1 win in Tampa.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Rich Story / Getty Images

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been very busy at work while covering high school basketball and wrestling this week. Let’s wish a happy belated birthday to Orlando Pride defender Zara Chavoshi, who turned 23 Saturday. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

World Cup Draw Reveals Favorable Group for USMNT

The FIFA World Cup draw was completed Friday in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Men’s National Team will face Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of UEFA Path C which will be decided between the winners of Turkey vs. Romania and Slovakia vs. Kosovo. FIFA also announced the match times, location, and full schedule for all the 2026 World Cup matches. The opening World Cup match for the USMNT will be June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. The Yanks will play again June 19 against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle, before facing the UEFA playoff winner on June 25 back at SoFi Stadium.

As for the cohosts, Mexico was drawn with South Korea, South Africa, and the UEFA Path D winner between the victors in the Czech Republic vs. Ireland and Denmark vs. North Macedonia matches. Canada will face Qatar, Switzerland, and the UEFA Path A winner between whoever survives the bracket with Italy vs. Northern Ireland and Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Inter Miami Wins MLS Cup

Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 Saturday at Chase Stadium to win its first MLS Cup, because sometimes evil triumphs over good. Miami went ahead early on an own goal by Vancouver defender Edier Ocampo. In the second half, the Whitecaps’ Ali Ahmed scored the equalizer, but Rodrigo De Paul pulled Miami back in front at 2-1. In stoppage time, Tadeo Allende added an insurance goal for Miami. Lionel Messi had two assists and was named the MLS Cup MVP. It’s the third consecutive year Miami has won a trophy since Messi’s arrival, taking the Leagues Cup title in 2023 and the Supporters’ Shield in 2024. The Whitecaps’ stellar MLS Cup playoff run ended with questions surrounding the club’s future. The Whitecaps remain for sale, but according to The Athletic, the club may relocate if it can’t secure a new lease at BC Place.

Americans Abroad

It was another busy weekend for Americans abroad in Europe. Weston McKennie added an assist for Juventus, but his side fell 2-1 to Napoli. Brenden Aaronson came off the bench in the second half, played 25 minutes, and notched an assist in Leeds United’s 3-3 draw against Liverpool. Malik Tillman played 81 minutes but Bayer Leverkusen fell 2-0 to FC Augsburg. Joe Scally played 90 minutes as Borussia Monchengladbach beat Mainz 1-0. In France, Tim Weah played 90 minutes but his side fell 1-0 to his former team Lille. Mark McKenzie played a full 90 as well, as Toulouse beat Strasbourg 1-0. Today, Christian Pulisic and AC Milan will face Torino in Serie A league action.

San Diego Wave FC Wins World Sevens Tournament

The San Diego Wave defeated Tigres 3-0 Sunday at Beyond Bancard Field in Fort Lauderdale to win the World Sevens Soccer Tournament and take home $2 million in prize money. Adriana Leon scored two goals in the match. The Wave went undefeated in the tournament, winning five matches and scoring 14 goals while conceding only three. The Wave defeated Deportivo Cali, beat Club America in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw, and beat Nacional in the group stage, while cruising to a 5-1 win over Flamengo in the semifinals. The Wave weren’t the only NWSL side in the competition; the Kansas City Current also participated but were eliminated in the group stage.

Free Kicks

  • Orlando City forward Marco Pasalic’s Croatia side will face England, Panama, and Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer.

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

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