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Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC: Final Score 2-0 as Torres and McGuire Score Second-Half Goals

The Lions earned their third consecutive clean sheet victory and went 3-0-0 on their homestand.

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10 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Facundo Torres and Duncan McGuire scored in the second half and Pedro Gallese kept his third consecutive clean sheet as the Lions defeated Charlotte FC 2-0 at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City (12-10-7, 43 points) climbed above the .500 mark at home (6-5-4) with the victory, finishing the homestand 3-0-0 without allowing a goal and snapping a four-game winless skid against Charlotte (10-11-8, 38 points) in all competitions.

“Another three points. Important moment,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “And we played against a very difficult rival who played very organized. It’s difficult to break the lines, and one of the teams in Major League Soccer who condenses very well the box. And then it’s difficult to create that affect those spaces. That’s why the value of the game today and the points and scoring two goals against them just makes us feel good, and congratulations to our players as well for such an effort and a great game.”

Pareja’s lineup included Pedro Gallese in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. Cesar Araujo and Wilder Cartagena started in central midfield behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Martin Ojeda, and Torres, with Ramiro Enrique up top.

The first chance of the game fell for Orlando in the fourth minute off the recycle of the game’s first corner kick. The ball found Cartagena inside the box on the right and he put a lot of sting into his shot on goal but unfortunately hit it right at Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, who fought it off. It was Orlando’s only shot on target in the opening half.

The visitors were content to stay organized and not try to play at all, hoping for the Lions to make a mistake on which they could capitalize. It nearly happened a couple of times with a pair of uncharacteristically poor giveaways by Jansson, but there was nothing too threatening to Gallese’s goal.

Meanwhile, Orlando was often unable to connect in the final phase of the attack. Ojeda had a nice cross in the 11th minute after being played down the left by Angulo, but Enrique couldn’t get on the end of it. Santos had a shot blocked off a short corner in the 14th minute on a play similar to the one he scored on Saturday. This time, however, the opposition covered him and Brandt Bronico blocked his attempt.

Santos sent in a good cross in the 19th minute that found Torres, but the Uruguayan sent his header over the bar. A minute later, Angulo stole the ball and ignited the break, finding Ojeda in space, but Enrique’s touch was poor while receiving the pass, spoiling the counterattack.

Jansson’s turnover in the 30th minute provided a chance for Charlotte. Patrick Agyemang got a shot off but sent it straight at Gallese.

Tim Ream headed wide on a long-range Charlotte set piece that was played short and then crossed from the right to the back post in the 40th minute. A minute later, Ream did well to clear a ball away from Ojeda in the Charlotte defensive end when the Argentine’s touch around Adilson Malanda was a bit too heavy.

No one generated anything of note in the final minutes of the first half and the teams went to the lockerroom scoreless.

At the break, Orlando had the advantage in possession (63.7%-36.3%), shots (6-3), corners (4-0), and passing accuracy (88.5%-82%). Charlotte put more shots on frame (2-1).

The second half started as dull as the first, but the Lions finally cracked the Charlotte defense in the 52nd minute. Ojeda got on the end of a ball down the left side of the box, picking up a pass from Angulo. With time and space, he sent a beautiful cross to the far side and Torres one-timed it past Kahlina to make it 1-0. It was Torres’ 12 goal of the regular season.

“We had really worked on that play during the week, just because of how they like to mark,” Torres said. “So, you know, Martin gave me just an incredible center. It was just right on point. It’s really difficult to not score a goal when it’s put on a platter like that. It’s a difficult play to finish off overall, but when he plays it like that, and when we had worked on it throughout the week, it was fantastic.”

Orlando’s energy dropped a bit after the goal and Charlotte started seeing more of the ball and dispossessing the Lions for a spell. The visitors won a couple of corners but weren’t able to pay them off.

“We knew they were going to come and they answered a little bit with some chances, but for me, if I think a lot back, I don’t remember, like, any big, big chance they had,” Thorhallsson said.

Angulo tried to add to Orlando’s lead in the 60th minute, whipping a shot toward goal that deflected out for a corner. Five minutes later, Torres blasted a shot from outside the area that forced Kahlina into a diving save. Second-half sub Nico Lodeiro got to the loose ball first and attempted to tap it home but Ream made a vital block to keep it a one-goal game.

The teams played a bit of sloppy soccer down the stretch as both were playing on short rest on a hot, humid night. Araujo gave up a dangerous free kick in the 83rd minute just outside the box and got a booking for it, meaning he’ll miss the next match for card accumulation. The free kick was sent toward the back post but over everyone and out for a goal kick.

After both teams sent some substitutes on for the final minutes, the Lions doubled their lead. The play started with a superb kick by Gallese that picked out sub Luis Muriel, who immediately played a perfectly weighted ball to a streaking McGuire, who carried the ball into the box and chipped Kahlina beautifully to make it 2-0 in the 89th minute, putting the game to bed with his ninth goal of the season.

“It was just these 10 minutes where we, like a little bit, dropped back, but then once we pushed up again, and Duncan finished it with the second goal, then it was just game over,” Thorhallsson said.

Charlotte still had eight minutes of stoppage time to climb back into it but it was Orlando that came closest to adding a goal in the added minutes. Luca Petrasso, who had come on at left wing, sent a perfect back-post cross to McGuire on the right. McGuire sent a powerful header just wide in the 98th minute on the final clear-cut chance of the evening.

The Lions finished with the advantage in possession (58.1%-41.9%), shots (12-4), corners (7-3), and passing accuracy (88.4%-81.1%). Both teams finished with two shots on target.

“It’s a credit as well to the response of the players who came in the second half,” Pareja said. “We felt that what we needed was not combinations but somebody who can run in behind of the central backs and that’s why we included Duncan, knowing that Ramiro was playing well. But Duncan just opened those spaces for us. Also he’s dynamic in the way he presses and those things help us a lot. And then also Luis (Muriel) and Nico (Lodeiro) that give us that creativity, and they know how to play in between the lines too. So, that helped us. It was very difficult to break those lines.”

For the Lions, it was the first time stringing three consecutive shutout wins together since the season finale and two playoff games against Nashville at the end of the 2023 season.

“Defending well as a group with consistency is probably one of the most difficult parts of the game. The back four and those midfielders are sustaining the team in a very good way. We’re solid. And the individual performance has risen as well. It’s better. Individually, they have grown a lot during this period.”

“Most important thing is just we’re all doing it together,” Thorhallsson said. “Me and Rodri and Robin and Rafa, and then Pedro as well behind us, and of course, everybody in the team. But I feel like the defense has been clicking a lot.”

The Lions head out on the road this weekend, visiting the Columbus Crew on Saturday night.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 7/2/25

Big names leave Toronto FC, hot conditions in Club World Cup match, FIFPRO makes ACL recommendations, and more.

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18 hours ago

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July 2, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Happy Wednesday, everyone. It already feels like it’s been a long week, as I just got home from being out of town traveling up and down the East Coast for the last few days. The soccer world hasn’t stopped in my absence though, and as usual we have a lot to cover today. Let’s wish a happy birthday to OCB defender Tahir Reid-Brown, and jump into today’s links!

Italians Leave Toronto FC

It’s the end of an era at Toronto FC, as the club has parted ways with both Federico Bernardeschi, and Lorenzo Insigne. The Reds used both of their two buyouts of guaranteed contracts this season in order to get the transactions done, so the club was pretty keen to get them out the door. It’s hard to blame the Reds, as Insigne was the second-highest paid player in the league while Bernardeschi was the fifth highest. They didn’t have much to show for it though, as Bernardeschi had 26 goals and 22 assists in 99 games across all competitions, while Insigne had 19 goals and 17 assists in 76 matches. TFC never made the playoffs while the duo was on the team, and the decision to turn the page is an understandable one.

Difficult Conditions in Juventus vs. Real Madrid

The Club World Cup Round of 16 concluded on Tuesday, with Real Madrid knocking off Juventus 1-0 in afternoon match. Kylian Mbappe made his tournament debut for Madrid as a substitute, but it was Gonzalo Garcia’s 54th-minute goal that made the difference in the game. Juve boss Igor Tudor highlighted the difficult conditions in Miami, saying in his postgame press conference that 10 different players asked to come off the field during the game. Tudor didn’t outright blame the loss on the high heat and humidity during the 3 p.m. kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium, but noted that they were among several factors that made the game a very difficult one for his side.

FIFPRO Makes Recommendations to Curb ACL Tears

Amid a rash of ACL injuries to women’s soccer players, FIFPRO has made some recommendations to cut down on the rate at which they occur. Rather than focusing on things that can’t be controlled, the federation has suggested modifying the calendar, number of games, and the playing surfaces. FIFPRO member Alex Culvin is calling for minimum standards in the women’s game relating to pitch conditions and access to physiotherapists. More research around risk factors is also necessary, as is implementing preventative exercises at the youth levels of the game.

Transfer Rumor Roundup

Summer transfer business is in full swing, so let’s catch up on some of the hot rumors currently flying around. First up, Arsenal is said to be in the final stages of signing Viktor Gyokeres to a five-year deal. Staying in the Premier League, Manchester United is reportedly interested in signing midfielder Fabian Ruiz from Paris Saint-Germain. Juventus reportedly is close to signing Jonathan David after his contract with Lille expired. Finally, Bayern Munich is reportedly preparing a formal offer for Liverpool for Colombian winger Luis Diaz.

Free Kicks

Apparently a non -#usmnt drone has crashed the training session. US Soccer staff aiming to identify it.

— Jeff Carlisle (@jeffreycarlisle.bsky.social) 2025-07-01T17:25:12.954Z

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

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 7/1/25

Pride signings, OCB draws, both U.S. national teams in action Wednesday, and more.

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2 days ago

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July 1, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

Welcome to July, Mane Landers. If you’re like me, you balanced the excitement and dread of the USMNT advancing on penalty kicks the other night. It was one thing watching Guatemala take out Canada but a whole other level of heart palpitating stress while watching the U.S. avoid a similar fate. There’s no time to relax with plenty of soccer to watch as we head towards Independence Day. Before we get to the links, please join us in wishing Orlando Pride/USWNT defender Emily Sams and OCB defender Clovis Archange each a happy birthday.

Orlando Pride Signings

The Orlando Pride announced a pair of transactions Monday. Midfielder Viviana Villacorta and the club have agreed to exercise the midfielder’s mutual option for the 2026 season. Villacorta was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft. The Pride also signed midfielder Ally Lemos to a new contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028. The Pride selected Lemos with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2024 NWSL Draft. Orlando continues to lock down current players ahead of time. Now, we wait to see if any new players will be added.

OCB Earns a Point on the Road

Orlando City B played Philadelphia Union II to a 1-1 draw in a Monday afternoon match. Unfortunately, the Young Lions lost the end-of-regulation shootout 4-2 and did not get the additional point. Gustavo Caraballo assisted Jackson Platts on the early goal for OCB. Philadelphia equalized early in the second half. Carlos Mercado was the difference maker in the match, recording a career-high 12 saves.

USMNT’s Gold Cup Run Continues vs. Guatemala

The USMNT will face Guatemala Wednesday night in a 2025 Gold Cup semifinal match. The U.S. advanced past Costa Rica on penalties thanks to a stellar performance from goalkeeper Matt Freese. Guatemala stunned Canada with a second-half equalizer and advanced on penalty kicks. Guatemala has been the overachieving underdog of the competition so far. This will be the USMNT’s 17th Gold Cup semifinal appearance.

USWNT Hosts Canada

The USWNT will host Canada in a third friendly of this international window Wednesday at Washington, D.C.’s Audi Field. The U.S. is coming off two 4-0 victories over the Republic of Ireland. Canada should prove a tougher opponent for Emma Hayes’ squad. There is a possibility that the match will feature two Orlando Pride players — Emily Sams for the U.S. and Zara Chavoshi for Canada. Kerry Abello has returned to her club team after picking up a knock.

Free Kicks

Sources: Bayer Leverkusen are finalizing a deal to sign USMNT attacker Malik Tillman from PSV.Deal in region of $40m.

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2025-06-30T20:36:24.359Z
  • Former Orlando Pride midfielder Erika Tymrak has retired from professional soccer.

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for Orlando City’s match against Charlotte FC this weekend. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Orlando City Striker Ramiro Enrique Hindered By Inconsistency

Ramiro Enrique’s inconsistent play raises the question if he can be the go-to striker Orlando City desperately needs.

Published

3 days ago

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June 30, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City’s strike force has been inconsistent this season, to say the least. At times, the players up top have looked like they can score at will, but at other times, they struggle on chances they should finish. Nobody displays that inconsistency better than Ramiro Enrique.

Joining the Lions in 2023, Enrique has primarily served in a backup role for Ercan Kara, Duncan McGuire, and Luis Muriel. The young Argentine has had the occasional start, but ultimately ends up back on the bench, entering later in games. 

Orlando City acquired Muriel prior to the 2024 season when it appeared McGuire was on his way to Blackburn Rovers. However, the English side’s struggle with simple paperwork resulted in the Omaha, NE, native returning to Orlando. It left Oscar Pareja with some decisions to make.

The Lions often employ a 4-4-2 formation with a single striker and Muriel playing underneath. As a result, the three forwards all saw plenty of action in 2024.  Enrique started 12 games, Muriel 14, and McGuire was listed 18 times in the starting lineup. However, Enrique’s strong form near the end of the season saw him start 11 of the final 12 regular-season games and all five playoff contests.

Aiding Enrique’s playing time were injuries to McGuire. The 6-foot-1 striker suffered a shoulder injury on Nov. 9 in an MLS Cup playoff game against Charlotte FC, guaranteeing a starting spot for Enrique. As McGuire continued to work towards his return at the start of the year, Enrique took his place.

At times, it looks like Enrique is more than a substitute for Muriel or McGuire and can be the go-to scorer the Lions have struggled to find since Daryl Dike. But his inconsistency eventually returns, making it hard for Pareja to depend on the young attacker. That issue has been most noticeable during the two most recent games.

Putting shots on frame has been a struggle for the Lions this year, but it wasn’t for Enrique Wednesday night in St. Louis. After the Lions lost back-to-back games against Atlanta United and the Chicago Fire, Enrique was inserted into the starting lineup for Muriel. He took advantage of his opportunity in St. Louis, placing three of his five shots on target. He scored a first-half brace, giving his team a commanding three-goal lead after just 22 minutes.

In the seventh minute, Martin Ojeda sent a strong ball across the box that Enrique ran onto with perfect timing. He didn’t try to do too much, tapping the ball in on the slide. After Marco Pasalic made it 2-0, a bad turnover in the 22nd minute gave the striker a second chance. He was in on goal and made no mistake, slamming the ball past Roman Burki to make it 3-0.

The performance had many wondering if the team had finally found the striker it had been looking for since McGuire went down. But it wasn’t to be as Enrique reverted to his inconsistency with a poor performance in Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati.

The striker was unable to put any of his three shots on target, but that’s only part of the story. It’s how he failed to score that was the bigger problem.

In the 51st minute, Pasalic forced Brian Anunga into a turnover just outside the Cincinnati box. Enrique made a run toward the near post and Pasalic found him. The striker should’ve had no problem putting the shot on target, but he hit the ball with his left foot as his right came through, knocking the ball out of play for a goal kick.

He had a chance to redeem himself in second-half stoppage time with the Lions looking for an equalizer. Rafael Santos played a beautiful ball to the near post that only required a slight touch to beat Roman Celentano. However, the striker sent his header well wide, squandering a golden opportunity to claim a point.

These two games show the inconsistency that has plagued Enrique throughout his Orlando City career. He’ll look to be in excellent form and ready to claim the starting striker role, only to follow it up with a poor performance. It’s something that has held the Argentine back since his arrival and continues to do so this year.

Even more troublesome, it leaves Orlando City without a dependable striker. McGuire can’t seem to get over his shoulder problems, and he is currently on the sidelines again while he recovers from surgery on the opposite shoulder to the one he hurt in last year’s playoffs. Muriel and Ojeda often partner each other up top, but both are more comfortable in midfield positions.

Injuries and players in uncomfortable positions provide Enrique with the perfect situation. Consistent scoring would assure Pareja that he can depend on the 24-year-old to produce the goals his team has been searching for. But the striker can’t seem to put it together over the span of multiple games.

He’ll have plenty of opportunities in the near future to win the position he undoubtedly craves. McGuire’s absence due to injury and Muriel’s preference to play underneath means Enrique will likely get more playing time. However, he needs to show more consistency if he wants to hold onto the starting spot long-term.

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