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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Minnesota United: Final Score 3-2 as Lions Not Sharp Enough at Either End in Loss

The Lions wasted chances galore and allowed three poor goals at the other end to remain winless in MLS play.

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10 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s goal off a routine goal kick deep in stoppage time snapped a 2-2 deadlock and lifted Minnesota United to a 3-2 win over a wasteful Orlando City side in front of an announced crowd of 23,025 at Inter&Co Stadium. The Lions (0-1-2, 1 point) got a brace from Duncan McGuire but conceded twice to Teemu Pukki on goalkeeping errors and despite pulling level, allowed the Loons (2-0-1, 7 points) to escape with all of the points.

City created a ton of clear-cut chances throughout the match but repeatedly blew them by either firing them straight at the goalkeeper or missing the target entirely. Even McGuire who scored a goal for the ages to tie the match late, missed a wide-open net on a sitter of a chance.

“(I’m) trying to calm down this point with a game that brought us a lot of emotions, and obviously just dealing with the disappointment of not getting the result,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “The volume (of chances) that we had during the game deserved much more than that (result).”

Pareja rotated his lineup a bit from the squad that drew Tigres on Tuesday night. Pedro Gallese started in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. Cesar Araujo was paired with Felipe in central midfield behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, and Ramiro Enrique with Duncan McGuire up top. Facundo Torres did not make the matchday squad, as he was questionable with what the club is calling an upper extremity injury.

The Lions wasted no time getting on the scoreboard after being shut out in two straight matches to start the MLS season for the first time. Santos intercepted a pass and carried it up the field before releasing a pass that put McGuire in behind. The big striker slotted home just inside the left post to make it 1-0 just 14 seconds after kickoff, beating Tesho Akindele’s club record of 31 seconds. It also equaled the fifth-fastest goal in MLS history.

Gallese gave the goal back just a few minutes later. Taking a back pass from Santos, the goalkeeper knew Pukki was was charging at him but opted to take a touch before trying to get rid of it. That extra touch allowed Pukki to get close enough to put a foot to it, knocking it down. With Gallese out of his goal, it was an easy play for Pukki to tie the match in the fourth minute.

McGuire nearly scored a second in the 18th minute. Enrique laid off a pass for the striker just in front of foal. McGuire tried to poke it past Dayne St. Clair but didn’t get much on his shot, allowing the Minnesota goalkeeper to make the save.

Two minutes later, Gallese had to be alert to catch a shot from distance by Jeong Sang-Bin.

In the 23rd minute, McGuire got into the box again and St. Clair charged off his line, trying to reach the ball first. McGuire appeared to chip the ball up and the goalkeeper’s foot caught the forward on the follow-through. The ball deflected weakly toward goal, allowing the defense to collect it. Orlando players called for a penalty, and it did look like St. Clair caught McGuire pretty good, but there was no call and at the next stoppage there wasn’t even a delay for a look.

Enrique had a chance to get in on goal in the 26th minute but took too many touches trying to free himself from the defense and lost control of the ball. St. Clair was able to beat him to the loose ball.

Angulo should have had a breakaway three minutes later off a Minnesota corner that was cleared by the defense. With a step on the defense, the speedy Colombian took a wayward touch and that allowed the Loons to dispossess him and prevent a scoring opportunity.

Moments later, Araujo won a free kick and nearly benefitted from it when Ojeda’s cross cleared the goalkeeper on the fly. The midfielder couldn’t get his head on it and bundled it off the ground in front of goal. It popped up and onto the roof of the net.

Two minutes later, Araujo went down without any contact and the trainers came out to look at his knee. The Uruguayan could not continue and was replaced by Wilder Cartagena.

However, while the team was playing with 10 men, Pukki scored again. Picking the ball up near the top left corner of the box, he sent a shot inside the near post and Gallese was too slow to cover it, giving the Loons a 2-1 lead in the 38th minute.

Pukki nearly got his hat trick in the 43rd minute, volleying a cross over the crossbar.

Ojeda had a go with his right foot from the left side but he couldn’t get his shot to curl enough to hit the top right corner in the first minute of first-half stoppage time.

The Lions closed the half with two horrible misses from point-blank range. On the first, Thorhallsson sizzled a cross through the six that just needed a touch. Felipe got to it but somehow couldn’t direct it into the gaping net.

A minute later, McGuire laid off a pass for Ojeda near the penalty spot. The Argentine had time to pick out his spot but sent his shot straight at St. Clair, wasting the opportunity.

The whistle blew shortly after the Ojeda miss on a half that should have seen the Lions put about four on the scoreboard.

Orlando City held the halftime edge in possession (51.3%-48.7%), shots (7-6), and passing accuracy (80.2%-79%). Minnesota earne more first-half corners (2-1), while each team put three shots on target. The difference at the break was the two mistakes by Gallese and a few egregious missed chances by Orlando.

Nico Lodeiro replaced Felipe at halftime with the Lions chasing the game.

Moments after the restart, it was Angulo’s turn to fire right at St. Clair from a good position. The Colombian winger took a pass with his back to goal inside the area, turned and fired his shot straight at the goalkeeper. Lodeiro then sent a one-hopper at St. Clair moments later. Enrique finished the hat trick of missed opportunities early in the half when he got to a ball in the box and sent a shot five yards wide of goal in the 54th minute.

Gallese got away with another mistake just before the hour mark. A corner kick cross came straight to him, but the Peruvian opted to punch it away instead of making what appeared to be an easily catchable ball. The Loons were offside on the recycle, nullifying a secondary attack.

Pareja sent Michael Halliday and Luis Muriel into the match for Thorhallsson and Angulo.

The moves came close to paying off immediately. A back-post ball nearly found Halliday in the 60th minute but was just inches out of the fullback’s reach. In the 64th minute, Muriel made a slick move to beat a pair of defenders and sent a cross in for McGuire, who only had to turn it on goal to even the score. Instead, he redirected it inches wide of the left post.

Muriel went for goal on a free kick won by Enrique near the top left corner of the box in the 71st minute, but he couldn’t get any dip on his shot and it sailed well over the bar. Two minutes later, Santos smashed a near-post effort that St. Clair fought off. The ball was gathered by Orlando and sent in for Lodeiro in the box. The Uruguayan redirected the pass but again it skipped wide of goal as the wasted chances continued.

Minnesota nearly put the game to bed in the 80th minute. Halliday stepped up on a ball that he couldn’t get close enough to win in the air and the ball was headed onward. Schlegel tried to shepherd it out of play but Hlongwane abused the Argentine defender, keeping the ball in play, beating Schlegel to it, and then getting in alone on goal. Gallese made the save, knocking it behind for a goal kick.

Three minutes later, McGuire tied the match. Ojeda won a 50/50 ball in the midfield and sprayed it out right to McGuire. With a defender in front of him, McGuire stopped, found a hole, and smashed it inside the far post to tie the game in the 83rd minute. It was McGuire’s second career brace.

“It was a great interchange from Martin and I, switching positions,” McGuire said. “He had his head up and put the ball right where I needed it. I saw the goalie cheating a little bit too hard to the near post, so I saw the back post wide open and let it fly. Luckily, it worked out.”

As the game wound down, Orlando appeared the more likely team to find a winner. Halliday fired off target off a corner kick play in stoppage time, and Cartagena had a half chance moments later. But then the roof caved in on Orlando on a routine play.

St. Clair took a goal kick and Jansson was beaten in the air near midfield. The ball was flicked forward to Tani Oluwaseyi, who then pushed it ahead to Hlongwane, who got in behind Halliday and Schlegel and beat Gallese to make it 3-2 in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It was a stunning moment in a game that seemed like it would only go the other way or end in a draw at the time.

“We did not match well the first ball,” Pareja said. “And our covering was incorrect. I understand that at that point when you still have a few minutes and you feel the energy and you know that you can win the game, you still have to do your duty and we did not coordinate well. We lost the first ball and the ball got into our right back and center back. We have to have the tools to control that.”

Hlongwane was booked for removing his shirt and stunting in front of The Wall.

Orlando City won a few late corners but couldn’t make them pay off and Mercado blew the full time whistle before the Lions could take a third.

Orlando City dominated the stat sheet, finishing with the advantage in possession (58.9%-41.1%), shots (22-9), shots on target (6-4), corners (9-4), and passing accuracy (80.6%-71.6%).

Cartagena and Minnesota’s Joseph Rosales were both shown red cards after full time following video review by match referee Wilmer Pino Mercado. That means the Lions will be without Cartagena in the next MLS match, and it may be a few days before we get an update on Araujo’s injury. It seems likely Orlando will head to Atlanta without either of its starting defensive midfielders.

“The word that comes to mind is sadness,” Ojeda said. “We created a lot of chances at goal. We scored goals. But at the end of the day, gootball is a game of details, and those details tonight were costly for us.”

Orlando City has another quick turnaround with a trip to Monterrey looming against Tigres on Tuesday night. The next league game is a week from Sunday at Atlanta United.

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Orlando City

Previewing Luis Muriel’s Second Year in Purple

Orlando City needs more production from its Colombian striker in 2025, so what’s the best way to get it?

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9 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

The 2025 season will be Luis Muriel’s second as an Orlando City player following a 2024 campaign that wasn’t bad but was uneven and marked by potential that ultimately went unfulfilled. With the Colombian striker still occupying a Designated Player slot, there’s a lot of questions about how he’s going to fit into the team.

With him occupying a precious DP slot and commanding the highest salary on the team by a comfortable margin, it’s essential that the Lions get maximum output from him on the field. What’s the best way to do that, though? With the departure of Facundo Torres and Muriel getting a full off-season and preseason under his belt, there are a few different ways to achieve that goal.

Striker

The obvious answer is the reason that he was brought to the City Beautiful in the first place — to play him at striker. Duncan McGuire likely won’t be available until sometime in April, meaning that Muriel will be duking it out in preseason with Ramrio Enrique (and to a lesser extent, Jack Lynn) for the right to start as the tip of Orlando City’s proverbial spear. He got some time there last year in the first few months of the season, but ultimately his production, or lack thereof, opened the door for McGuire, and later Enrique, to supplant him.

The most straightforward way to get him in the team is to get him scoring in the volume that he’s shown himself to be capable of. It wouldn’t require any alterations to the formation or moving players around to areas where they might not be comfortable. Orlando could try to go big for a winger with proven goal-scoring threat to help replace the Facundo Torres-sized hole on the right wing, Ivan Angulo can stay out left, Martin Ojeda retains his place at the 10, and things keep ticking along.

The big question is whether he can find the back of the net consistently enough to justify going this route, particularly when McGuire and Enrique have proven themselves to be capable of providing solid scoring output. However, if he shows better than Enrique and Lynn in preseason, this is probably the most likely route.

Winger

Another solution, and probably the one that would be second easiest, would be to deploy him at the winger spot vacated by the now-departed Torres. This would allow Enrique and McGuire to compete for the no.9 slot, while filling Torres’ place with someone who is capable of creating and producing goals for others at the same, if not higher, level, and it wouldn’t require any formation or positional shifts.

A downside is that the right-footed Muriel wouldn’t be inverting the way that Torres did, which would tweak some of the team’s tactics and patterns of play in the final third. Additionally, it would be gambling on Muriel improving his goal-scoring numbers despite being shifted out wide and presumably not having as many looks at goal.

In this scenario, the Lions likely aren’t going out and adding a third Designated Player, or if they are, it’s probably an attempt to upgrade over Angulo — something which just doesn’t seem super likely to me, given how ever-present he’s been in the lineup since joining the team. I also don’t know if I can see Luiz Muzzi and Co. standing pat with the current state of a roster that couldn’t win it all and then lost its best player.

No. 10

A different route would be to trot him out at the no.10 position, where he often found himself deployed when coming on as a substitute during the second half of the year. The advantages of this solution are that it would allow the Colombian to utilize his considerable passing range and ability on the ball while minimizing his need to contribute large amounts of goals. On the downside, it would require shifting Ojeda out of the central position that he occupied to such great effect during the second half of the 2024 season. While Muriel has played well in this position, I can’t see the decision-makers being willing to gamble on Ojeda regressing if moved out wide again.

Shadow Striker/Roving Playmaker

The final, and most intriguing (and complex) of the options would be to deploy him as a shadow striker/roaming playmaker as part of a front two. Muriel drops into the hole behind the striker and moves around, finding space just behind his fellow forward, popping up wherever the spaces are and making it difficult for teams to zero in on patterns of play.

Again, it would allow him to use his excellent passing and dribbling ability to create scoring chances for McGuire/Enrique, while still getting him some looks at goal. It’s also a position that he’s played at various times throughout his career, including last year, when we saw him partnered with McGuire in either a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2. The two played well together during those games, and showed signs of a flourishing partnership that ultimately wasn’t pursued further as the team got more bodies healthy and Ojeda began to shine as the central player in the three-man attacking midfield.

The biggest problem would be finding a formation that gets Orlando’s best players on the field in their best positions. A 4-4-2 would allow a midfield of Ojeda, Angulo, Wilder Cartagena, and Cesar Araujo, but Ojeda would need to be out wide and we’ve already covered why that’s an issue. A 3-5-2 would also allow for those guys to be on the field, but then Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and Rafael Santos would likely be sacrificed, and Cartagena would move to center back while Nico Lodeiro slotted into the midfield in his place. OCSC is better when Cartagena and Araujo are partnering in the midfield, and I love having Santos’ crossing ability and DDT’s versatility on the field. For me, it would be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

An interesting solution could be trying a 4-2-2-2, with Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel/David Brekalo, and Thorhallson at the back, Araujo and Cartagena as the defensive midfielders, Angulo and Ojeda as the attacking midfielders, and Enrique/McGuire and Muriel up top, with Muriel operating as the shadow striker. To get the necessary width in attack, one of the fullbacks (presumably DDT) could invert into the midfield when in possession, and one of the defensive mids (likely Cartagena) would drift out wide while Ojeda plays centrally, where he operates best. The biggest issues here are that it would necessitate a lot of tactical variation from what the team is accustomed to, requires Thorhallsson to run his guts out, and is susceptible to getting torched on the counterattack. There’s a world where it could work, but I wouldn’t expect to see it.

At the end of the day, everyone’s lives are made easier if having a full off-season and preseason under his belt helps the Colombian DP find his shooting boots and he hits the ground running as the striker in Oscar Pareja’s preferred 4-2-3-1. Orlando adds firepower at right wing, Ojeda stays in the middle, and Muriel does what he was primarily signed to do — score goals. If that doesn’t happen, there are still ways to try to get him involved, but each solution comes with its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages to navigate. Either way, Muriel’s fit during the 2025 season is an intriguing storyline to watch as we build towards the start of the new campaign. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 1/10/25

Orlando City reportedly nears signing Nicolas Rodriguez, Orlando Pride re-sign Marta, Americans abroad this weekend, and more.

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12 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Happy Friday! I’m already pretty much over this cold weather. While it was a nice change of pace, I’ve never been a huge fan of shivering in my car while waiting for the heat to get going. Thankfully, it looks like some warmer weather is coming this weekend before temperatures dip again next week. But enough about the weather, let’s get to today’s links!

Orlando City Linked With Nicolas Rodriguez

According to Fabrizio Romano, Orlando City is close to signing Colombian winger Nicolas Rodriguez from Fortaleza in Colombia’s top flight.

The 20-year-old would bring the club some needed attacking power and Orlando has open U22 Initiative slots to make it happen. The Lions have yet to make much noise this off-season beyond transferring Facundo Torres to Palmeiras, so hopefully signing Rodriguez kicks off the excitement ahead of the 2025 season. Another report has the transfer fee coming in around $2 million, with Fortaleza keeping a 30% sell-on fee if he’s sold in the future.

Marta Re-Signs With the Orlando Pride

The Orlando Pride have re-signed Marta to a new contract that will keep her in the City Beautiful through 2026. Whether or not Marta would return was the biggest question mark surrounding the club after her contract expired following a historic season that included winning both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship. Marta is one of the best attacking midfielders in the league and was a finalist for both the NWSL MVP and NWSL Midfielder of the Year awards last year. Enjoy how Marta revealed the big news through the club’s social media. She definitely had me in the first half.

Keeping Up With the Americans Abroad

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath had a stellar game in Cardiff City’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup, making seven saves in the shutout. It was his first start for the club since August and he could get the nod in Cardiff’s next FA Cup match in February. Lindsey Horan had an assist in Lyon’s 2-0 road win over Dijon, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty started in Celtic’s 2-0 win against Dundee United.

As for upcoming action, Joe Scally will have a chance to impress when Borussia Mönchengladbach hosts Bayern Munich on Saturday. Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Giovanni Reyna and Borussia Dortmund will take on Bayer Leverkusen today. Serie A should feature the usual suspects on Saturday, with Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and AC Milan playing Cagliari and Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and Juventus facing off against Torino. We also might get to see Matt Turner in goal when Crystal Palace plays Stockport County in the FA Cup.

FA Cup Third Round Storylines

There’s plenty of more FA Cup soccer all over England this weekend to check out. While we were robbed from seeing Ashley Young and his son Tyler Young play against each other in Everton’s 2-0 win against Peterborough United, there are still many storylines in the third round. The heavyweight matchup is between Arsenal and Manchester United on Sunday. While it may be too much to say some of the English Premier League’s bigger clubs are on upset alert this weekend, Tottenham’s road game against Tamworth and Liverpool’s match with Accrington Stanley could prove interesting. Manchester City is set to take on a Salford City side owned by several former Manchester United players as well.

Free Kicks

That’s all I have for you today. I hope you all have a fantastic Friday and rest of your weekend!

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Orlando City

Orlando City is Often Late to the Transfer Party

Why you shouldn’t worry that we’re still waiting on Orlando City’s off-season signings.

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1 day ago

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January 9, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Here we are yet again. It’s that time of the year when seemingly every MLS club is making moves, signing new players, and going about the business of getting better for the coming season. It’s also the time of the year when supporters of Orlando City are looking around like Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, wondering where the signings are for the Lions.

I’m here to tell you not to panic. As frustrating as it is, this is business as usual for Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi and Vice President of Soccer Operations and Technical Director Ricardo Moreira. In case you’ve forgotten, here are some late signings that the club has made over the years.

January Signings

Despite how it feels, Orlando City signs plenty of players in January. Some of those have been earlier than Jan. 9. Nicolas Lodeiro signed with the club on Jan. 4, 2024, Rafael Santos signed on Jan. 5, 2023, and Cesar Araujo signed Jan. 7, 2022. I understand if you think they shouldn’t count since it was before this exact time of the month, but some fans have been freaking out for a week.

Let’s look at those on this day of the month or later. That list includes Martin Ojeda, who became a Lion on this day in 2023. In addition, Pedro Gallese signed Jan. 17, 2020, Ramiro Enrique signed on Jan. 30, 2023, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson signed the very next day. All four of those players were consistent starters in 2024.

February/March Signings

Muzzi and Moreira aren’t afraid to wait to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow to sign new players. Just last year, the club signed David Brekalo on Feb. 8 and Luis Muriel on Feb. 15. Muriel really came on late in the season, and Brekalo will certainly be vying to get his starting spot back in 2025.

I’ve saved my most compelling example for last. Orlando City signed Robin Jansson on March 12, 2019. All he’s done is become Orlando City’s captain and all-time appearance leader. His contributions to the club are extensive. Not too bad for a very late signing.

Historically speaking, Orlando City isn’t doing things any slower than usual. That is why I’m saying not to panic…yet. The Lions made it to the Eastern Conference final for the first time in 2024. If they want to win MLS Cup, the club will need to continue to improve the team.

Given the departure of Facundo Torres, at least one major signing needs to happen. Like you, I hope that signing happens sooner than later. Indeed, I’d like to see several signings, as the club wisely uses the money from the Torres deal to bolster the club for the upcoming season.

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