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Orlando City vs. Nashville SC: Final Score 1-0 as Lions Add Another Road Win on Duncan McGuire’s Goal

The Lions dug in and rarely tried to score, but managed to do so with their only shot on goal to defeat Nashville away.

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2 years ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City out-Nashville’d Nashville SC at Geodis Park in Nashville, TN, grinding out an ugly 1-0 win on the road in a match that featured very few shots or clear-cut scoring chances. Rookie Duncan McGuire scored late in the first half and the Lions (16-7-9, 57 points) controlled the pitch in the second period to see out the game without Nashville (12-10-9, 45 points) creating much in the way of chances to equalize.

It was Orlando City’s first away win at Nashville (1-0-3) and continued the Lions’ trend of beating good Eastern Conference teams on the road since their return from Leagues Cup.

“We’re very happy with the result,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “The whole squad was very committed today with the result. The variations that we tried and we did during the game…they responded to us. That’s a great effort for the team that is getting mature and knows where we are, and playing against a very difficult team as well. It’s difficult always against Nashville. They have this characteristic that creates a lot of chaos and those transitions.”

Pareja’s lineup featured a couple of lineup changes. Pedro Gallese started in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Kyle Smith. Cesar Araujo and Wilder Cartagena took their customary spots in central midfield behind an attacking line of Martin Ojeda, Mauricio Pereyra, and Facundo Torres, with McGuire up top.

The first half mainly belonged to Nashville until the closing minutes. Nashville looked organized and nearly impossible to break down. The Lions struggled to know when to press or to press as a team when they tried. Nashville fashioned some early chances on the break and always seemed to be the more threatening side.

Nashville got the game’s first good look just five minutes in. Santos turned the ball over in the attacking left corner and with two passes Fafa Picault had the ball at the top of the box. He cut inside but fired his shot just wide of the left post.

Four minutes later, Picault headed over the bar on another transition opportunity as McGuire fell asleep waiting for a pass, which allowed Walker Zimmerman to cut in front of him and steal it to start the break.

“The first — I would say — 15 minutes we wanted to create a different sequence, because we wanted to use different spaces. But we felt uncomfortable,” Pareja said.

In the 23rd minute, Cartagena blocked a shot by Hany Mukhtar from outside the box. A minute later, Randall Leal had a go from well outside the box but hit it high above the crossbar.

The hosts picked up a few unnecessary yellow cards in the middle of the half. Brian Anunga caught Cartagena from behind to earn the first. Mukhtar picked up the second for angrily kicking the ball away after being called for offside. The third went to Sam Surridge, who stepped on Jansson’s foot long after he’d released a pass. It wasn’t intentional, as the forward was watching the ball and not his opponent, but Jansson was down for a couple of minutes in obvious pain. Thereafter, the home fans booed Jansson every time he touched the ball for his sheer audacity to get stepped on.

The Lions finally attempted a shot in the 44th minute and they made the most of it. Pereyra sent Ojeda down the left and the Designated Player sent in a good ball to McGuire. The rookie flicked it off the left post and in past Joe Willis to make it 1-0 with his 10th goal of the MLS season. The play looked offside from the sideline camera angle and it was extremely close, but the flag stayed down and the video assistant referee did not see enough on the replay to overturn it, ruling that the pass from Ojeda was even with McGuire, and the Lions led 1-0.

Neither team got a good look in the four minutes of stoppage time and Orlando took its slim lead into the locker room. It was a strange halftime score considering the flow of the first half.

At the break, Nashville held a 6-1 advantage in shots. However, Orlando City held more of the possession (56.6%-43.4%), passed more accurately (87.2%-81.3%), and put more shots on target (1-0). Neither team won a corner kick.

Nashville came out of the locker room with more energy, quickly getting forward and earning a free kick on the right and a yellow card on Cartagena, who was trying to cover for Santos, who had fallen on an earlier challenge. Ojeda blocked Daniel Lovitz’s attempt on the set piece, setting up the game’s first corner, but Nashville couldn’t make it pay off.

Moments later, Ojeda was dispossessed and thought he was fouled, but no call was made and the hosts quickly countered. Picault’s cross through the six was cleared over the bar by a sliding Schlegel on a vital intervention.

Orlando then fashioned some opportunities — if not outright chances. Torres turned down an opportunity to shoot from near the top of the box, then worked his way to the end line on the left and crossed the ball into the outside netting. In the 58th minute, Jansson got forward, laide off a pass and continued his run. The ball came back to him but McGuire couldn’t get onto his low cross in the box and there were no Lions on the far side of the box to get onto it.

Nashville manager Gary Smith tried some substitutions and shape changes but nothing much helped the hosts, who were turned away time and again by Orlando City’s defense. The Lions managed to defend well as a team without dropping deep and setting up their block too low, as they’ve sometimes done in the past. Mukhtar wasn’t able to create much, despite dropping deeper to get onto the ball.

Pareja also substituted liberally, sending on Ivan Angulo and Ramiro Enrique in the 65th minute for Pereyra and McGuire, Junior Urso for Torres in the 72nd minute, and — changing the shape to five at the back — Antonio Carlos and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson for Ojeda and Smith in the 85th.

Schlegel blocked a Mukhtar header in the 67th minute on what was probably Nashville’s best chance of the second half. Schlegel again blocked a Mukhtar shot in the 85th minute amidst the Lions winning free kicks and getting to loose balls first all over the pitch.

“The defense action from Rodri there in the second half was very important, because otherwise the Nashville guy in behind me will just put the ball in the goal. So he did very well there,” Jansson said.

Urso sent an ambitious attempt toward goal from extreme range in the 87th minute, hoping to catch Willis off his line. He didn’t, and the shot was well off target anyway, but it did count as the Lions’ second shot attempt of the match.

That turned out to be the final attempt for either time, despite a generous serving of 11 minutes of injury time added on, which ended up spilling over into a 12th. The Lions won a ton of throw-ins and the five-man back line held Nashville without any late attempts. Gallese held on for his 10th clean sheet of the season — a career high since joining MLS — without having to make a save.

Lovitz got sent off with a second yellow card deep in stoppage time and that was the game.

Orlando City held its exact same possession advantage from halftime at the final whistle (56.6%-43.4%). The Lions also passed more accurately (84.5%-79.5%) and finished with more shots on goal (1-0). Nashville held the advantage in total shot attempts (8-2) and corners (4-0).

The Lions ended up doing more damage in the second half by simply keeping the ball and playing safely than trying to score a second goal.

“The second half I thought we controlled,” Pareja said. “We asked the players to control and just let it come and see if we can use those spaces in behind when they come. Very well executed by the players and I saw this group very mature today.”

“Three nice points,” Jansson said. “I think our shape of the team was very good. We had Wilder and Cesar in front of us dictating the middle and always were aware of the Mukhtar guy was on the field — something we talked about before the game because we know he’s good, and you have to respect that, be aware of that. In the end, I think we were solid back there and the wingers and the striker were doing a huge job to contribute to that too, so that’s a team effort right there.”

The Lions have another quick turnaround, returning home Saturday to host the New England Revolution.

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Orlando City

2025 Orlando City Season In Review: Iván Angulo

The left winger contributed defensively but struggled offensively during his fourth season in Orlando.

Published

15 hours ago

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November 6, 2025

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Image of Ivan Angulo playing the ball against D.C. United.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City acquired midfielder Ivan Angulo on a 12-month loan from Brazilian Serie A side Palmeiras on July 25, 2022. The Lions accepted the option to extend the loan for six more months on June 22, 2023, before working out a permanent transfer for the winger on Jan. 3, 2024. That contract was through 2025 with a club option for 2026, and as of this writing, the club has yet to announce if it will pick up that club option.

Let’s take a look back at the winger’s fourth season with the Lions.

Statistical Breakdown

After a 2024 season when he was an iron man for Orlando City, starting nearly every game in all competitions and playing more than 3,500 minutes, Angulo found himself on the bench a little more frequently in 2025, though he was still the team’s primary starter out on the left wing.

In MLS regular-season play, Angulo appeared in 33 of Orlando’s 34 matches, starting 30 and playing a total of 2,317 minutes. Unlike in 2024, when he scored five goals, he went goalless, but he contributed seven assists, tied for third most on the team. He attempted 34 shots and put 11 on target. Angulo completed 84% of his passes with 36 key passes and six successful crosses. On the defensive side, he compiled 30 tackles, 18 interceptions, 17 clearances, and four blocks. He committed 20 fouls and suffered 26 and received four yellow cards.

The Colombian started the wild card game in his customary left wing spot but only played 56 minutes before coming off for Tyrese Spicer. He took one shot, putting it on target, and completed 78% of his passes. He added two tackles and two clearances on defense. He neither committed nor drew any fouls and was not booked.

Angulo was not heavily used during the U.S. Open Cup, coming off the bench during both games and playing a total of 35 minutes. He did not take any shots, but he assisted on one goal and completed 84% of his passes. Defensively, he made two tackles but did not have any other contributions.

The winger was at his best during the Leagues Cup, starting all six games and playing 534 of the 540 possible minutes. He scored his one goal of the season and added two assists in the competition. Angulo took seven shots, putting three on frame, and completed 86% of his passes with six key passes. He was an active defender, making 13 tackles, intercepting three passes, and adding two clearances and one block. He committed seven fouls, drew six on the opposition, and received one yellow card.

Best Game

Angulo’s one goal of the season came against Atlas in the Leagues Cup, but his best game of the season was against Columbus during the MLS regular season, when he recorded two assists and was a menace defensively in a 3-1 victory over the Crew. The winger led the team in tackles with five and made great plays to assist on both of Ramiro Enrique’s goals, helping the Lions come from behind to take the lead.

Angulo also was fouled in the box and would have drawn a penalty had the referee called the foul, but even without that possible goal-creating action the Colombian still contributed all over the field against Columbus, earning the Man of the Match in our player grades.

2025 Final Grade

The Mane Land awarded Angulo a composite rating of 6 out of 10 for the 2025 season, which is a slight decrease from the 6.5 out of 10 that we gave him for the 2024 season. He was one of the best defensive wing players in the league but did not offer enough offensively, leading to a reduction in minutes played as compared to 2024 and frequent offense-for-defense substitutions with Angulo coming off for Spicer late in the game.

2026 Outlook

As menioned above, Angulo is waiting on the club’s decision on whether or not to pick up his option for 2026, and with the acquisition of Spicer the Lions have a younger and cheaper player on the roster who plays the same position. Angulo is in the prime of his career at age 26 and is a better defender than Spicer, but his offensive output declined noticeably from 2024 to 2025, and it will be a difficult call for the front office on whether he is worth keeping at an increased salary or to decline the option and renegotiate or say goodbye.

If the club chooses to keep him, he will once again operate out on the left, and his minutes will likely decrease again in 2026 as he platoons with Spicer. The Colombian has one of the best work rates and sprint speeds in the entire league, so it is possible that the coaching staff also would give him a look at left back in the mold of former Lion Ruan. I expect that the club declines his option but negotiates a new deal and he is back again in purple next season.

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Orlando City

2025 Orlando City Season in Review: Dagur Dan Thórhallsson

The versatile Icelandic international lost the starting role at right back but still found ways to contribute.

Published

17 hours ago

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November 6, 2025

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Dagur Dan Thorhallsson plays the ball against the Chicago Fire.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City signed Icelandic midfielder Dagur Dan Thórhallsson on Jan. 31, 2023. The then-23-year-old was signed to a two-year deal with two additional option years for 2025 and 2026, but on July 18, 2024, the club announced that they had re-signed him to a new contract, which runs through the 2026 season with a club option for 2027. Unlike last season, when he was the starting right back, Thórhallsson was mainly a bench option after Alex Freeman’s emergence as the new starter. Despite that, he found ways to contribute in multiple ways this season.

Let’s have a look back at Thórhallsson’s third season with Orlando City.

Statistical Breakdown

Thórhallson participated in three of the four competitions Orlando City played in during 2025 — mostly as a substitute with the occasional start — logging total 1,334 minutes. Since he wasn’t the consistent starter that he was last season, Thórhallson played the role of super sub at right back and in the midfield in 2025. Even though he played fewer minutes, he played in more positions on the field, making him a valuable depth player for the Lions.

In MLS regular-season play, Thórhallson appeared in 31 matches, starting 11 and playing 1,104 minutes. He scored three goals — the most he’s scored in one season with Orlando — but didn’t record any assists. He took eight shots, putting three on target, and he completed 88% of his passes with 10 key passes, four successful crosses, and seven completed long balls. On the defensive side, he recorded 20 tackles, 10 clearances, seven interceptions, and seven blocked shots. He committed 10 fouls, suffered 16 fouls, and received three yellow cards.

Thórhallson played in both of Orlando City’s U.S. Open Cup matches, starting both and playing 174 minutes. He scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on his only shot in the Lions’ 5-0 win on May 7 and added an assist. He completed 93% of his passes, including two key passes. Defensively, he tallied one tackle, three interceptions, and one clearance. He suffered one foul in the tournament.

During Leagues Cup play, Thórhallson started one match and came on as a substitute in another, playing a total of 56 minutes with no goals, assists, or shots. He completed 96% of his passes with two crosses. He added two interceptions, and he committed one foul and drew none. He did not receive any cards.

Best Game

Often we give Best Game when a player — especially a mostly defensive player — scores a goal, but that isn’t true for Thórhallson in 2025. His best game came in Orlando City’s 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. Thórhallson went the full 90 minutes, getting the start at right back and then moving to the midfield at halftime. He did well in the first half, but once he moved to the midfield Orlando City came to life.

Thórhallson was all over the place, sniffing out threats, intercepting the opposition, and generally being an awesome menace. He had 70 touches, two successful dribbles, won six of his nine duels, suffered one foul, and passed at a 94% rate with one key pass. Defensively, he made three clearances, three tackles, and six recoveries. Despite not getting Man of the Match in the Player Grades, he did earn Man of the Match from both Michael Citro and myself on The Mane Land PawedCast.

2025 Final Grade

The Mane Land awarded Thórhallsson a composite rating of 6 out of 10 for the 2025 season, which is lower than the 6.5 rating we gave him for the 2024 season. Of course, none of us are attributing the lower grade to his being less effective, but his overall consistency wasn’t as high, likely owing to playing less regularly. Despite playing less than half the minutes he did in 2024, Thórhallsson was able to contribute at multiple positions. He never gave less than 100% when he did make the field.

2026 Outlook

I think 2026 may look a little different than 2025 for the Icelandic international, as a lot will depend on whether Alex Freeman returns and what the midfield looks like. I think Oscar Pareja likes his versatility, though in a similar way to how he likes Kyle Smith. If Freeman moves on, and if Orlando City doesn’t bring in a more experienced right back to replace him, Thórhallsson could regain that starting position he had in 2023. He could also replace Smith as a backup in multiple spots if The Accountant isn’t re-signed.

The other possibility is that Orlando City moves on from any of or all of Cesar Araujo, Wilder Cartagena, and Eduard Atuesta. If so, Thórhallsson could possibly earn a starting role in the midfield, though I find this less likely. I suspect the most likely outcome is that he will be used much as he was this season, and that is not a bad thing for the Lions. Good depth players are necessary to win trophies.

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Lion Links: 11/6/25

Alex Freeman named to 2025 MLS Best XI, Orlando Pride prepare for the playoffs, U.S. wins U-17 World Cup opener, and more.

Published

20 hours ago

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November 6, 2025

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Image of Alex Freeman celebrating after scoring the tying goal at Cincinnati.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Jeremy Reper

How’s it going, Mane Landers? I hope the week is treating you well as we get ready for the Orlando Pride’s playoff game and other soccer over the next few days. It’s about that time of the year where I start trialing Thanksgiving dish ideas, which means my oven is being put through its paces. My apartment has been smelling nice at least. But enough about that, let’s get to the links!

Alex Freeman Makes 2025 MLS Best XI

MLS announced its Best XI of the 2025 season to celebrate the top players at each position, and Orlando City right back Alex Freeman became the first Lion to ever receive the honor. Freeman had a breakout year for the Lions, recording six goals and three assists as a regular starter. The 21-year-old was already named MLS Young Player of the Year and is the youngest player to make the Best XI since Brenden Aaronson’s inclusion in 2020.

Freeman is joined on the Best XI’s back line by Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon and Philadelphia Union duo Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. Those three were the finalists for 2025 MLS Defender of the Year, with Blackmon winning, so it’s pretty good company for Freeman. Forward Denis Bouanga, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair are a few of the other players who made this year’s list.

Orlando Pride Prepare for Playoff Match

The Orlando Pride will host the Seattle Reign on Friday in the quarterfinals of this year’s NWSL playoffs. There will be a bit of déjà vu going on, as the two teams just played to a 1-1 draw in Orlando on Decision Day. The Pride have done well to bounce back in recent weeks after a rough stretch in the second half of the season, so hopefully they can get a win on Friday. Pride Head Coach Seb Hines spoke on the pressure Orlando faces as the defending champions, as well as the importance of securing home-field advantage for this match.

U.S. Wins First U-17 World Cup Game

The U-17 United States Men’s National Team won 1-0 against Burkina Faso in its first match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. American winger Mathis Albert created chances throughout the match and it paid off in the 79th minute when one of his crosses fell for Philadelphia Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan to score the winner. Goalkeeper Aidan Stokes had four saves, and the defense did well to secure the clean sheet. The U.S. will be back in action on Saturday with a match against Tajikistan.

Analyzing the USWNT Roster

Although the United States Women’s National Team still has a pair of friendlies against Italy this year, we’re starting to get a clearer look at how the roster is shaping up under Head Coach Emma Hayes. Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams is likely to be called up until further notice, although Jordyn Bugg’s ascent and Naomi Girma’s health may determine her chances at starting. Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has seemingly locked up the starting job while the forward position is filled with talented players who give Hayes different ways of attacking defenses. There’s still a year before the Concacaf W Championship that will serve as qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, so it will be interesting to see if there are any major changes on the roster between now and then.

Free Kicks

  • Luis Suarez was suspended for Inter Miami’s deciding playoff match in the best-of-three series against Nashville SC on Saturday for kicking Andy Najar last weekend. Whoever writes his apologies for violent conduct must have one of the most secure jobs in the world at this point.

Can confirm @tombogert.bsky.social's report. Luis Suárez will miss Game 3 of Inter Miami's playoff series against Nashville SC for this off-the-ball kick on Andy Nájar. No foul was called in the game, MLS DisCo has deemed it rises to the level of violent conduct.

— Ben Wright (@benwright.bsky.social) 2025-11-05T16:42:59.720Z
  • Real Salt Lake signed both Sporting Director Kurt Schmid and Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni to new contracts, while Tony Beltran was promoted to assistant sporting director. These moves come a week after former Orlando City head coach Jason Kreis was named Real Salt Lake’s president of soccer operations.
  • Victor Osimhen is now the leading scorer in this year’s UEFA Champions League after his hat trick in Galatasaray’s 3-0 win over Ajax.
  • According to Wrexham Chief Executive Michael Williamson, the filming of Welcome to Wrexham played a role in Christian Eriksen choosing not to play there.
  • Here’s what to watch for across the many Europa League matches today, with Roma’s road game against Rangers likely to be a good one.

That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a great day as we look forward to the weekend!

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