Orlando City faces Minnesota United Saturday at Allianz Field. Orlando City have climbed into the playoff hunt, but as I mentioned last week, points are hard to come by on the road in MLS. With only 13 matches left in the season, this is an opportunity to keep pace or potentially move up the table. What must the Lions do to earn all three points against Minnesota United?

Pour on the Goals

With the exception of the San Jose match, Orlando City’s defense has been inconsistent at best, and if not for Maxime Crepeau, the limited points earned since the World Cup would be even fewer. As such, in Martin Perelman’s preferred style of play, it is contingent upon the offense to score enough goals to overcome the defense.

I think Antoine Griezmann is finally taking to heart he will sometimes just need to score the goals rather than making the extra pass. As for the others, Daryl Dike is finding his feet again in MLS, Tyrese Spicer and Griffin Dorsey are good from the edges, and Justin Ellis is plenty dangerous. Minnesota is solid, if not spectacular, on defense. The Loons can be scored on, having given up 29 goals this season. Orlando City will also need to beat Minnesota goalkeeper Drake Callender to score the needed goals. It can be done, but the Lions will need to be clinical to score multiple goals.

Reap the Rest Rewards

For the first time in what feels like forever, Orlando City will have a normal match week. The Lions will have to travel to Minnesota, but that’s only a one-hour time zone difference, and there’s no extra match midweek. The potential for legs to rest and for knocks to heal is not to be underestimated. I know that Minnesota will have the same rest, but given the attacking style of play the Lions prefer, I think the rest will be beneficial.

The normal week allows Perelman to put out a mostly first-choice lineup. So I’ll be curious to see what that looks like. I think the rest will help Griezmann the most. He plays smart, but he also plays hard, puts in plenty of miles, and is 35 years old. All players need rest, let alone a “more experienced” guy like him, even if it just comes in the form of a normal match week.

Defensive Midfielders Unite

With the Lions getting that full week of rest, I’m hopeful we’ll see the defensive midfield pairing of Wilder Cartagena and Joran Gerbet. Cartagena has started looking like his old self, and Gerbet was a game changer when he came on against Real Salt Lake. It’s been a while since Orlando City had a good defensive midfield pairing, and I’m hopeful that these two could be it.

The pair will need to deal with Joaquin Pereyra, Wil Trapp, and Owen Gene in the midfield. Ideally, they’re stopping attacks by Kelvin Yeboah and Marcus Caldeira if Orlando City’s lines are high enough. If so, that plays into the opportunities created for the offense much like the second half against Real Salt Lake.

That is what I will be looking for on Saturday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

Orlando City addressed an area of need ahead of the transfer window closing by acquiring left back Vinícius Nogueira on loan through the end of the 2027 MLS Sprint Season. The 24-year-old Brazilian arrives from a stint with PFC Ludogorets in Bulgaria’s top flight, with the Lions holding an option to make the move permanent at the end of the loan period. Nogueira’s availability is pending the receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

“Vinícius is a dynamic left back with the pace, technical quality, and work ethic to impact the game on both sides of the ball,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “He comes from a top academy and has further developed in competitive environments in both Brazil and Europe. His versatility makes him an excellent fit for our group, and having a new left-sided player will also provide more options and flexibility to the first-team lineup. We believe he can contribute right away while continuing to develop within our environment, and we’re excited to welcome him to Orlando.”

Nogueira came up through the Palmeiras academy system in Brazil, and also spent time in the Atletico Minero and Ponte Preta youth systems. The Penápolis, Brazil, native has made a combined 139 appearances at the U-20 and senior levels, scoring four career goals and adding 16 assists. He made 20 appearances for Swedish club Varberg in 2023, before Halmstad BK bought him ahead of the 2024-2025 season. He made 29 appearances with Halmstad and was loaned to Norwegian side Vålerenga in 2025, where he played in 25 more games, scoring two goals. He joined Ludogorets in 2026, where he was part of a club that won the 2025-2026 Bulgarian Super Cup.

He will wear jersey No. 27 for Orlando, worn by previous Lions Rafael Ramos, R.J. Allen, Kamal Miller, and Jack Lynn.

What It Means for Orlando City

If left back hadn’t already been one of the team’s biggest, most glaring needs, a recent thigh injury to Homegrown Bernardo Rhein just as he was surpassing on the depth chart the inconsistent (at best, and ineffective at worst) Adrian Marin, who also sustained a recent knock, and the trade of Tahir Reid-Brown to St. Louis City would have made it so. It’s been a problem spot for Orlando for a while. Center back David Brekalo played that spot most of 2025, although Kyle Smith was also tried there. Luca Petrasso and Rafael Santos were unable to lock down the position during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The last reliable player Orlando had at left back was João Moutinho from 2019-2022, but his health was far less reliable.

At just 24 years old, Nogueira is entering his prime. On video, his closing speed and ball skills stand out. These are traits that will suit him well in Major League Soccer. But it’s difficult to know how (and how quickly) his play will translate to MLS. By making the loan through the 2027 Sprint Season, the Lions look to believe they have a player that they can develop and integrate into the team, and if they’re happy with him, they can make the move permanent. However, the loan is short enough that if things don’t work out, it won’t be a long-term gamble.

Being Brazilian, he’ll have teammates who can help him get acclimated to the culture, and having played abroad in Sweden, Norway, and Bulgaria, he’s had experience with that part of professional life before.

Orlando City has recently deputized Homegrown right back Zakaria Taifi at left back in the wake of injuries to Rhein and Marin, and while the energy and desire is there, it’s unclear if Taifi is even ready for major minutes on his natural right side, let alone on the left, where he’s been victimized by attacking players the last two games against the Chicago Fire and Real Salt Lake. A remedy has been necessary in that spot for multiple seasons, and only time and minutes will tell if Nogueira could be that remedy.

Below is a 2023 highlight film. As always, highlight films don’t/can’t tell the whole story, and this one is a few years old, but it at least provides glimpses of the kinds of skills the player has.

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I’ve been having a bit of a hectic week, but the rest of it should be fairly smooth sailing as we get ready for another weekend of Orlando soccer. Apart from the errands and work, I’ve been working on perfecting a buffalo chicken dip as summer nears its end. Let’s get to the links!

Orlando City Prepares for Minnesota United

The Lions are back in action on Saturday with a road match against Minnesota United to close out what has been a busy month for the team. This will be Orlando’s eighth match in August, but the Lions have at least been able to get some rest this week after winning 2-1 at home against Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Minnesota is also entering this match after a win, beating the San Jose Earthquakes 5-1 thanks to four goals in the second half. Orlando City defender Zakaria Taifi spoke on Orlando’s preparations for this away trip after a long string of games at home.

Dylan Judelson Loaned to Genoa CFC

Orlando City B midfielder Dylan Judelson was loaned to Genoa CFC in Italy’s Serie A through June of 2027. The loan includes an option to buy, with Orlando receiving undisclosed financial compensation and retaining a sell-on fee if Genoa exercises that option. Judelson helped the academy’s U-18 team win the Generation Adidas Cup in 2025 and participated in the MLS NEXT All-Star Game as well. The Canadian has also played internationally at the youth level, including at the Concacaf U-20 Championship this summer. Best of luck in Italy, Dylan!

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

American defender Naomi Girma scored in Chelsea’s 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad in Women’s Champions League qualifying. She captained the squad and Alyssa Thompson started for Chelsea as well. In men’s soccer, the EFL Cup third-round matchups were unveiled and Americans may clash when Chris Richards and Crystal Palace play against Middlesbrough, which has a trio of Yanks in Aidan Morris, Sebastian Berhalter, and Max Arfsten. Speaking of Middlesbrough, it’s reportedly close to signing American midfielder Rokas Pukstas from Hajduk Split as well. The club might have to start calling it soccer if this keeps up.

UEFA’s Boycott Reportedly Set to End

UEFA’s members are meeting today and are reportedly expected to end the confederation’s boycott of FIFA competitions. The possibility of a boycott has loomed over the sport due to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes of the World Cup to private investors, but UEFA has reportedly received assurances that the failed scheme won’t be revived. This news comes at an important time as six UEFA nations are set to take part in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off in Poland on Sept. 5.

Free Kicks

• Enjoy this crazy goal courtesy of Ivan Angulo’s left foot in Orlando City’s training. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was inspired by Marco Pasalic constantly making that move.

• You’ll now be able to watch exclusive NWSL games for free on the Roku Sports Channel. It will be the home for eight Sunday night games this season and then 25 more games in 2027.
• Minnesota United midfielder Joaquin Pereyra won MLS Goal of the Matchday for his tricky rabona that beat San Jose goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
• Sporting Kansas City traded away up to $7.6 million to Austin FC in exchange for midfielder Owen Wolff. It’s a hefty amount of money, although only $4.5 million of it is guaranteed.
• The draw for this year’s UEFA Champions League takes place today at noon. The lack of groups takes some of the excitement out of the draw, but it should still be interesting to see how the chips fall.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!