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Orlando City vs. New England Revolution: Final Score 3-1 as Orlando City Falls Again in Foxborough

The shorthanded Lions were never really in this one and lacked sharpness throughout.

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2 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Someday Orlando City will win at New England and it will be glorious, but that will have to wait. The shorthanded Lions were dominated and rarely threatened former Orlando City backup goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. in a 3-1 loss at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The Lions (7-5-5, 26 points) fell to 0-6-2 in away games against the Revs (9-3-6, 33 points) as Emmanuel Boateng, Gustavo Bou, and Carles Gil did the damage. Duncan McGuire pulled one back late for Orlando.

“Obviously frustrated not getting the result,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “But the analysis of the game is clear. In the second half when we reacted, the goals were plays isolated where we could have defended better and that’s probably the frustration that we carry right now. But we had the chances to score. We had the chances to equalize the game.”

Pareja was missing several regulars due to international duty and suspension, so Mason Stajduhar started in net behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Michael Halliday. Cesar Araujo’s central midfield partner was Felipe, behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Mauricio Pereyra, and Martin Ojeda, with Ercan Kara up top.

The opening half was a sloppy, rain-soaked affair and Orlando City never seemed to settle into the match. Orlando only managed to hang onto the ball for 33% of the time and passed dreadfully, completing less than 70% of attempted passes.

Araujo was booked just three minutes in when Gil felt a hand on his shoulder and went to ground easily. Referee Fotis Bazakos bought it and showed the Uruguayan an early yellow. Gil sent the free kick wide, although Stajduhar had his post covered.

Pereyra drew a free kick on a foul from behind by Noel Buck and the Lions were going to try something different with the set piece but Bazakos blew his whistle after Pereyra had tapped the ball to his left. That ruined the surprise and Ojeda instead sent a shot just wide of Earl Edwards Jr.’s post.

Stajduhar made the only save of the first half in the 21st minute when Bou fired from the top of the box and it appeared to take a slight deflection, which took some of the pace off the attempt.

A minute later, Halliday was booked for an even softer foul on Emmanuel Boateng, putting two defenders on notice in the game’s first half hour.

Bou fired over the bar in the 23rd minute and Buck missed just wide of the right post in the 28th as the Revolution did most of the possessing and attacking in the opening period. Whether it was the rain, the artificial turf, a lack of sharpness, or a combination of those things, the Lions struggled to find each other with passes or to bring those passes under control.

Bobby Wood put the ball in the net in the 32nd minute but the flag came up immediately as Brandon Bye was offside in the buildup.

The most dangerous Orlando City chance should have come in the 34th minute when Pereyra slipped the ball in for Ojeda but his touch was poor, he lost control, and it dribbled out for a goal kick. Two minutes later, Santos found space on the left but sent his cross right at Edwards. Seconds later, Angulo cut left to right and fired a shot into the stands.

An overhit corner kick cross and a doubly overhit cross by Halliday later pretty much summed up the first half and the teams went into the break scoreless.

The Revs dominated the stat sheet, leading at the break in possession (66.8%-33.2%), shots (6-3), shots on target (1-0), corners (2-1), and passing accuracy (85.7%-69.7%).

Pareja sent McGuire on for Kara to start the second half, hoping to bother New England’s back line with a little more pace.

“Second half the intention with Duncan was to be maybe faster and deeper on our movements, and he provided those diagonals,” Pareja said. “He held the ball for us. Both of them (Kara and McGuire) helped us today and obviously just happy with Duncan scoring another goal.”

The lions started the second half somewhat brightly with Pereyra nearly sending Ojeda in behind in the 47th minute but defender Dave Romney got their a fraction earlier to get a toe on it. Seconds later, Felipe tried a shot but hit it right at Edwards.

New England broke the deadlock just six minutes into the second period anyway. The Revs created an overload on the right and Bou fizzed a cross into the box that Stajduhar parried away. Unfortunately, it went straight out from goal, allowing Boateng to hit a blast just inside the right post to make it 1-0 in the 51st minute.

Ojeda either sent a shot just wide or a back-post cross to nobody in the 54th minute, looking to pull that goal right back. A minute later, a ball in from Halliday took a deflection that allowed Edwards to collect.

Angulo teed up a shot in the 58th minute but again couldn’t keep his shot down on what was a forgettable night for him. The next two decent-looking Orlando attacks ended with a thud with both Santos and Halliday sending crosses right at the goalkeeper, wasting more opportunities.

Ojeda’s best look of the night came in the 63rd minutes. With the ball pinging around near the top of the area, Ojeda spun his body and sent a shot toward the right post. He wasn’t able to get a lot of pace on it, but the shot through traffic was headed in but Edwards made a huge save to preserve the lead. The ball unfortunately bounced to maybe the only height that would have permitted the save.

Bou appeared to put the game away in the 69th minute, racing from right to left and unleashing a shot inside the far post past Stajduhar to make it 2-0.

The difference in quality on the night between the teams’ attackers was never more apparent than on Bou’s screamer and the eventual insurance goal from Gil.

Thankfully, Wood did not have that same quality in the 73rd minute when his shot found outside netting on the break.

Orlando’s sloppy night in front of goal continued for the next few minutes, with Araujo badly slicing a shot that ended up bouncing to Ojeda, who then missed the target.

Second-half sub Giacomo Vrioni fired a shot wide in transition after that, keeping the scoreline from getting worse.

Pareja then sent Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Luca Petrasso on for Araujo and Pereyra. The Lions scored a minute after those changes. Halliday sent his best cross of the night over the defense and McGuire met it in the air, heading it back to the right and in for his fifth goal of the season in the 80th minute, making it 2-1.

“I saw a teammate get his head up and I have a good connection with him,” McGuire said about the play. “He served a beautiful ball up and I’ve just worked on that header a million times in training, so it worked out perfectly.”

The Lions threw numbers forward but got caught looking for the equalizer. Just five minutes after McGuire’s goal, Orlando wasted opportunities to get the ball in the box off a set piece and after New England gained possession, the Revs attacked with numbers and both City center backs forward. Gil finished the play with a goal that beat Stajduhar in almost exactly the same way Bou had. The 85th-minute goal made it 3-1 and effectively killed the game.

Despite four goals and multiple subs on both sides, Bazakos determined three minutes of stoppage time were sufficient. Pareja sent OCB captain Juninho on for his MLS debut, along with Ramiro Enrique. The Juninho substitution nearly paid off immediately.

With one of his first touches on the night, Juninho freed himself up for a shot from outside the box but fizzed it just wide of the left post in the 92nd minute.

After Edwards was booked for time wasting, a final ball fell for Halliday with an open look at goal. The young fullback decided instead to square a ball into traffic and it was easily cut out as the game came to an end.

The Lions ate into the lopsided stats a bit, but New England controlled possession (59.4%-40.6%) and passed more accurately (85.4%-77.2%). Orlando City finished with more shot attempts (16-14). Both teams got four of their shots on target and each side earned two corners.

“The game got more open in the second half and they threw a lot more numbers forward, which allowed us to get some counters going, but we’ve got to put our chances away, and I think we’ve got to do a better job with that,” McGuire said.

Orlando City has a short turnaround with the Philadelphia Union visiting Exploria Stadium on Wednesday night. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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Lion Links: 12/9/25

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

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23 hours ago

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December 9, 2025

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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.

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2 days 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

2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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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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