Orlando City
Orlando City vs. Toronto FC: Five Takeaways
Here’s what we learned from the Lions’ 4-2 win over the visiting Reds.
The Lions got into the win column to even their record at 1-1-0 to close out the two-game, seasoning-opening homestand that MLS put on their schedule. Orlando City’s second game of the season started out a bit boring but morphed into a thrilling 4-2 victory over Toronto FC over the course of the final 60 minutes.
What follows are my five takeaways from Orlando City’s first win of 2025.
Another Surprise Lineup Shuffle
Given the availability report had no surprises on it in the leadup to the match, Saturday’s short-term contract signings of Gustavo Caraballo, Colin Guske, and Zakaria Taifi were a clue that something wasn’t going to plan. That turned out to be the case, as David Brekalo and Nico Rodriguez each picked up knocks in training late in the week. With Orlando City’s depth issues on the back line, Oscar Pareja shuffled the deck and moved Kyle Smith to center back alongside Rodrigo Schlegel, with Smith playing on the left in Robin Jansson’s normal spot and Schlegel returning to his favored right side. That explained the signing of Taifi for depth, as the young defender has played both fullback and center back with OCB. There was another change to the back line that we’ll get to in a minute.
Overall, the Lions’ defense did well to limit Toronto’s chances. There was nothing clear cut in the first half, although there were a few dangerous passes played across the box from Federico Bernadeschi’s side. The Reds were only able to create minimal danger on shots from distance until a late set piece and a second ball situation even later in the match, but by that time the offense had put multiple goals on the board.
Freeman’s First Start a Success
The other change to the back line included the insertion of Homegrown right back Alex Freeman in the starting lineup in place of Dagur Dan Thorhallsson. While the Icelandic international didn’t play particularly poorly in the opener, Freeman’s play — including against Philadelphia off the bench — has been demanding more minutes. He got them, as Pareja needed Thorhallsson to be an available midfield depth player with Rodriguez out.
Freeman had a sensational first MLS start. Not only did he hold up well defensively on Orlando’s right side, but he showed what he can bring to the offense, scoring the second goal just moments after Cesar Araujo’s wondergoal on a free kick. Somehow Toronto’s defense got out of shape by moving too high, leaving winger Markus Cimermancic isolated on the young fullback. Orlando recovered the ball, and Eduard Atuesta dropped a pass to Smith, who moved right and launched a long ball for Freeman. The Homegrown defender stayed onside, showed his strength to get goalside of Cimermancic, and did well with a great first touch off his thigh, using his speed to break in alone on Sean Johnson’s goal. Moving the ball onto his left foot, he powered a shot toward the left post that was too hot for Johnson to handle. That quick second strike was a stunner from which Toronto never was able to recover.
Pasalic Marked Out
After a good night in his MLS debut, Designated Player Marco Pasalic was ineffective against a Toronto side that opted to surround him every time he touched the ball. Pasalic attempted no shots and created no chances during his second start. Toronto, and perhaps the inexperience of working with Freeman on that side limited Pasalic’s touches. He completed just 12 of his 18 passes (66.7%). That’s not to say he didn’t contribute. It was a foul drawn by Pasalic that set up Araujo’s opening goal.
With the Reds swarming him, the Croatian often had little choice but to drop the ball deeper or try more difficult ways to get through, which led to a few giveaways. It was a solid game plan by Toronto FC, and it’s one that Pasalic must adjust to in order to find success in MLS. Pasalic was replaced in the 65th minute by Luis Muriel, which turned out to be a good substitution.
Ojeda’s Emotional Moment
Attacking midfielder Martin Ojeda made it two goal contributions in two matches with his first goal of the season in the 63rd minute. Schlegel stabbed away an attempted Toronto entry ball to Araujo, who turned and headed straight up the field. He spotted Ojeda sneaking in behind midfielder Deybi Flores and between the two Toronto center backs, delivering a perfectly weighted ball for Ojeda to take in stride. Using a burst of speed to clear the back line, Ojeda approached goal, waited for Johnson to commit, then calmly slotted the ball into the empty net with his weaker right foot to make it 3-0. The Lions’ third goal was obviously an emotional one for Ojeda. Once the initial excitement of the goal wore off, Ojeda lifted his jersey to show he was wearing a t-shirt underneath with a picture of his grandmother, who passed away last week, with a caption reading “Siempre en nuestros corazones” (“always in our hearts”). He had tears in his eyes as his fellow Argentines Schlegel and Ramiro Enrique embraced him at midfield before the restart.
Hail Cesar!
It was an unusually bright offensive night for the Lions’ physical central midfielder. The assist on Ojeda’s goal all but put the match out of reach with half an hour to play, but the Uruguayan also got the scoring started in the 33rd minute. With Ojeda, Pasalic, and Atuesta on the pitch, it was strange to see Araujo and Rafael Santos standing over the ball to await the referee’s whistle after Pasalic had drawn a free kick just outside the penalty area. When the whistle blew, it was Araujo — the less likely of the two — who took it, blasting a shot over the wall, off the left post, and in. It was a free kick goal worthy of anything we’ve seen from notable departed set piece takers Nico Lodeiro and Facundo Torres. Aside from his two goal contributions, Araujo passed at a team-high rate of 96.3% over the course of his full 90 minutes. He also recorded an interception, did not commit a foul or pick up a yellow card, and drew two fouls on the opposition.
Bonus Sixth Takeaway: Instant Impact Off the Bench
While most of the substitutes off the bench against the Union were not terribly effective — except Freeman — Pareja’s subs made an impact against Toronto, helping see out the game. Muriel completed 85.7% of his passes, but his biggest contribution came just moments after Thorhallsson replaced Ojeda in the 80th minute. Muriel took a pass from Schlegel in his own defensive third, then made a hard turn inside to lose Theo Corbeanu, delivering a pass to Enrique at the top of the attacking third. Enrique found space, turned and gave the ball back to the onrushing Muriel, who drew three defenders toward him, before slipping a perfect pass behind Rosted and into the path of Thorhallsson. With his first touch of the game, Thorhallsson moved the ball onto his left foot to improve his angle. With his second touch, Thorhallsson slotted a shot past Johnson to make it 4-1 in the 81st minute and remove any doubt about the outcome.
That’s what I took note of on a big night for the Orlando attack. There were still some marking issues defensively on Toronto’s first goal off a corner and the positioning of the defense allowed the second on a ball that was not effectively cleared, but otherwise it was a good performance and one Pareja can build on. What stood out to you? Let us know in the comments below.
Orlando City
Orlando City Fullback Alex Freeman Selected to Participate in 2025 MLS All-Star Game
The 20-year-old, currently with the USMNT, was selected via fan vote to his first MLS All-Star Game.
Fullback Alex Freeman has been selected to the 2025 MLS All-Star Team to compete in Austin, TX on July 23, the club announced today. Freeman, 20, who is currently away on international duty with the United States Men’s National Team in the Concacaf Gold Cup, was selected via fan vote and is the youngest player on this year’s All-Star squad. The 2025 MLS All-Star Game will pit the MLS All-Star Team against the Liga MX All-Star Team at Q2 Stadium.
Freeman was selected through the league’s fan, media and player voting process, receiving
the highest vote total among MLS right backs. The young fullback has had a breakout season in 2025, appearing in 17 matches (16 starts) with Orlando City, playing 1,474 minutes and scoring four goals with one assist. His four goals are the most by a defender in MLS play this season.
Prior to this season, Freeman had made just three MLS appearances — all off the bench — for a total of nine minutes, putting just one shot on target. He picked up his first goal contribution last year with an assist against D.C. United on July 6, 2024.
Freeman’s play has been head-turning, and he’s earned his first USMNT call-up and appearance at the senior level this season. A member of the U.S. Gold Cup team, Freeman started all three group stage games, becoming just the second USMNT player aged 20 or younger to do so. He helped the United States win all three matches, keeping clean sheets against Trinidad & Tobago and Saudi Arabia.
Freeman is the first Orlando City player selected to the MLS All-Star Team since Pedro Gallese and Nani represented the Lions in Los Angeles in 2021. He is also the first OCSC defender to be selected to the MLS All-Star Team. Freeman becomes the seventh different player and eighth different representative of the club overall in the midseason exhibition (James O’Connor was head coach of the 2019 event held in Orlando).
Orlando City SC All-Stars
| Year | Player | Position |
| 2025 | Alex Freeman | Defender |
| 2021 | Pedro Gallese | Goalkeeper |
| 2021 | Nani | Forward |
| 2019 | Nani | Forward |
| 2019 | James O’Connor | Manager |
| 2018 | Yoshimar Yotun | Midfielder |
| 2017 | Dom Dwyer | Forward |
| 2017 | Kaká | Midfielder |
| 2016 | Cyle Larin | Forward |
| 2016 | Kaká | Midfielder |
| 2015 | Kaká | Midfielder |
2025 MLS All-Star Team
Goalkeepers (3)
- Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC / Voted In)
- Brad Stuver (Austin FC / Coach’s Selection)
- Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Coach’s Selection)
Defenders (8)
- Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF / Voted In)
- Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)
- Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
- Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC / Voted In)
- Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC / Voted In)
- Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union / Coach’s Selection)
- Andy Najar (Nashville SC / Coach’s Selection)
- Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati / Coach’s Selection)
Midfielders (6)
- Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
- David Da Costa (Portland Timbers / Coach’s Selection)
- Evander (FC Cincinnati / Voted In)
- Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake / Voted In)
- Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC / Coach’s Selection)
- Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC / Coach’s Selection)
Forwards / Wingers (9)
- Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC / Commissioner’s Pick)
- Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union / Voted In)
- Denis Bouanga (LAFC / Voted In)
- Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC / Coach’s Selection)
- Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano (San Diego FC / Commissioner’s Pick)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF / Voted In)
- Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew / Coach’s Selection)
- Brandon Vazquez (Austin FC / Coach’s Selection)
- Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC / Voted In)
Orlando City
Orlando City vs. St. Louis City: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
The Lions make their first trip to St. Louis looking to build on their win at Colorado.
Welcome to your match thread and preview for a Wednesday night matchup between Orlando City (8-4-6, 30 points) and St. Louis City SC (3-9-6, 15 points) at Energizer Park in St. Louis, MO (8:30 p.m., MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). This is the second meeting ever between the two sides, the first in St. Louis, and the only one on the 2025 regular-season schedule.
Here’s what you need to know about the match.
History
These teams have met just once before. Orlando City won that match 2-1 on Aug. 26 at Exploria Stadium on Facundo Torres’ penalty in the first minute of stoppage time. Torres completed his brace after a handball in the box by Anthony Markanich stopped a shot by Rafael Santos. Torres opened the scoring in the second half, but Rasmus Alm equalized, with his goal being awarded after video review revealed the referee’s assistant should not have raised their flag for the ball going out of play prior to the critical pass that led to the goal. Jake Nerwinsky was sent off late in that game for a foul denying Ramiro Enrique a goal-scoring opportunity.
Overview
The Lions are 3-2-4 on the road this season after coming off a tightly contested 1-0 road win at Colorado on June 14, snapping a two-match losing streak that ended a busy May schedule. Orlando has been off since beating the Rapids but will try to continue building momentum as the month of June comes to a close. The Lions have six matches against Eastern Conference competition after visiting tonight’s Western Conference opponents in the leadup to the 2025 Leagues Cup at the end of July.
Orlando City center back Rodrigo Schlegel will serve his one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation tonight, and with Alex Freeman away with the USMNT, the Lions will be missing half of their starters on the back line for this match as the entire right half will be out. Look for David Brekalo to move to right center back. Dagur Dan Thorhallsson is the most likely candidate to take the right back spot, with either Kyle Smith or Santos slotting in at left back.
St. Louis City is 2-3-4 at home this season and is coming off a wild 3-3 home draw against the LA Galaxy on June 14. Joao Klauss scored a hat trick in the match, putting his third goal of the game in the net in the fifth minute of stoppage time to steal a point against the defending champions. Tonight’s hosts are 0-1-1 in their last two matches, but they’ve been playing better lately, with five consecutive games either decided by a single goal or finishing in a draw.
Klauss may have gotten three of his five goals this season in the last game, but he can be one of the league’s most lethal finishers. It’s not the best night for Orlando to be missing half of its back line with the Brazilian rounding into form. On the other end, Roman Burki is one of the best goalkeepers in the league, so Orlando City will need to be clinical to finish chances — something that the team has struggled with at times.
“St. Louis is a team we don’t regularly play, but we’ve followed them over the last three or four games,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the match. “They’ve changed coaches, even though it’s someone who has been within the system. We try to capture what their current modes are — how they’re structured, how they’re playing — and then merge that into our game plan. We don’t have as much context of a rivalry as we usually do, since it’s a team we don’t know very well. But we keep preparing in our way and keep insisting that imposing our style on the game is what we’re looking for.”
In addition to Schlegel (suspension) and Freeman (international duty) the Lions will be without Duncan McGuire (shoulder), Wilder Cartagena (Achilles), and Yutaro Tsukada (knee), while Joran Gerbet (thigh) is listed as questionable. St. Louis City will be without Alm (hip), Chris Durkin (knee), Henry Kessler (hamstring), Eduard Löwen (hamstring), Joakim Nilsson (knee), and Tomáš Ostrák (lower body).
Match Content
- The most recent epsiode of the PawedCast includes our key matchups and score predictions for tonight’s match.
Official Lineups
Orlando City (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Pedro Gallese.
Defenders: Kyle Smith, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.
Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Cesar Araujo, Eduard Atuesta, Marco Pasalic.
Forwards: Martin Ojeda, Ramiro Enrique.
Bench: Javier Otero, Rafael Santos, Zakaria Taifi, Thomas Williams, Colin Guske, Gustavo Caraballo, Justin Ellis, Nico Rodriguez, Luis Muriel.
St. Louis City SC (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Roman Burki.
Defenders: Jayden Reid, Timo Baumgartl, Kyle Hiebert, Tomas Totland.
Midfielders: Marcel Hartel, Simon Becher, Akil Watts.
Forwards: Celio Pompeu, Joao Klauss, Cedric Teuchert.
Bench: Ben Lundt, Michael Wentzel, Joey Zalinsky, Josh Yaro, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Conrad Wallem, Alfredo Morales, Xande Silva, Brendan McSorely.
Referees
REF: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
AR1: Ryan Graves.
AR2: Walt Heatherly.
4TH: Matt Thompson.
VAR: Kevin Terry, Jr.
AVAR: TBA.
How to Watch
Match Time: 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Energizer Park — St. Louis, MO.
TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Radio: AM 810 FOX Sports Radio Orlando (English), Mega 97.1 FM (Spanish).
Social Media: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow us on Bluesky Social at @themaneland.bsky.social or follow Orlando City’s official Twitter (@OrlandoCitySC) or Bluesky (@OrlandoCitySC) feed.
Enjoy the game. Go City!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 6/25/25
Orlando City and OCB play tonight, the Club World Cup continues, and more.
Welcome to Wednesday, Mane Landers. It is a busy week here at The Mane Land. Orlando City and Orlando City B play tonight, there are FIFA Club World Cup matches, Concacaf Gold Cup, and USWNT friendlies. It’s a lot, but it also means there’s a ton of soccer to watch, which is a good thing. Let’s get to the links.
Go West, Orlando City
Orlando City heads to Missouri to take on St. Louis City FC tonight. The Lions will be without Alex Freeman (international duty) and Rodrigo Schlegel (yellow card accumulation). Orlando City will need to deal with St. Louis City striker Joao Klauss while finding goals on the road. This is a must-watch midweek match. We will have a preview later today, and you should also listen to The Mane Land PawedCast to prepare.
Orlando City B Returns Home vs. Toronto FC II
Orlando City B hosts Toronto FC II at Osceola County Stadium tonight. Like the first team, we will have coverage for you. The Young Lions are coming off a two-week break after a loss to Carolina Core FC. It will be interesting to see which OCB shows up for the match. You can watch the match on mlsnextpro.com.
Club World Cup, Orlando-Style
There might not be as many people in the seats at the Club World Cup as FIFA would like, but Orlando is still a big part of it. The group stage finishes this week as the competition heads into the Round of 16. There’s a ton of prize money up for all the competitors no matter where they are currently in the standings. Our Michael Citro was at Camping World Stadium last night to cover LAFC vs. Flamengo in Group D.
USMNT News
The USMNT will face Costa Rica Sunday in a Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal match in Minneapolis. Malik Tillman has been a bright spot on the roster, though Orlando City fans will be watching Freeman. The perpetual search for a consistent striker continues for the USMNT, though Patrick Agyemang may be the answer — at least for now.
Free Kicks
- The Pride managed to maintain the Number 2 spot in SI.com’s Power Rankings despite the loss to Racing Louisville.
- So, the 2025 MLS All-Star jersey has arrived. Thoughts?
- There’s nothing quite like having your number retired after playing for a team for two whole years after playing for another club for six years. It is especially special when the new club has been in existence for a whole four years. Congratulations to former Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan.
- Lyon has been relegated to Ligue 2 due to the club’s financial problems.
- Paul Mullin is headed to Wigan on a season long loan from the recently promoted Wrexham AFC. That’s probably a spoiler for a future episode of Welcome to Wrexham.
- Concacaf has cleared Jesse Marsh of allegations that he disregarded the competition’s rules regarding suspended match officials.
- After the Gold Cup, Agyemang may be making the move from Charlotte FC to Derby County.
- You may have seen that the USWNT is celebrating Pride month with rainbow numbers on the team jerseys. I am a supporter and ally, but it means even more to the players.
That will do it for today. Make sure you check back later for our match coverage. You can also follow our live coverage on Bluesky. Vamos Orlando!
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