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Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Final Score 4-1 as Lions Blast D.C. at Home

Lions get back in the win column in emphatic fashion with goals from all three Designated Players and Homegrown fullback Alex Freeman in Javier Otero’s first MLS start.

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3 months ago

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Dan MacDonald, The Mane Land

All three of Orlando City’s Designated Players scored goals for the first time in club history and Homegrown defender Alex Freeman also put the ball in the net as the Lions (2-2-1, 7 points) crushed D.C. United (1-1-3, 6 points) 4-1 at Inter&Co Stadium. Luis Muriel, Martin Ojeda, Freeman, and Marco Pasalic built the Lions a 4-0 lead that could have been even larger if not for a couple shots off the post, before Lukas MacNaughton spoiled what would have been the team’s first shutout of the year.

Javier Otero didn’t get the shutout in his first MLS start, but he got the win with six saves, including a couple of big ones.

“It was very important to add three points tonight the result brought,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the game. “A very good performance and confidence to the players. We felt that everyone is raising their level and that make us collectively and a stronger team. There is a lot of work to do still, but tonight was that one game where we must add three points and play well so we can raise the confidence.”

With Pedro Gallese away for international duty, Pareja’s lineup featured Otero in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Freeman. Cesar Araujo returned to the starting central midfield alongside Eduard Atuesta behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Ojeda, and Pasalic, with Muriel up top.

D.C. played with a high line, which Orlando looked to exploit whenever the Lions won the ball. The home side struggled to stay onside in the early going, but managed to find opportunities as the game settled in.

However, it was United fashioning the game’s first chance just four minutes in. Aaron Herrera cut inside of Angulo and smashed a shot on target. Otero did well to catch the shot without spilling it in front of the charging Christian Benteke.

“The players out there, my teammates, gave me confidence, just as I hope that I filled them with confidence throughout the game too,” Otero said. “The team was working and training really well this week, and I think you could see that out there on the field.”

The Lions’ first chance came in the 10th minute when Pasalic sent a good cross into the area for Muriel. The Colombian didn’t make good contact with the aerial cross, and it skipped well wide of the net. Three minutes later, Muriel sent in either a soft shot or a pass in front, but none of his teammates made a run from the left and the ball was easily scooped up by D.C. goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong.

Angulo cut in from the left and fizzed a shot just wide of the right post in the 14th minute, as Orlando continued to press the attack. Muriel was sent down the right side of the box two minutes later. Trying to pick out the upper right corner, he fired his shot just off frame.

Orlando broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Angulo got into the attack on the right for a change, and he laid off a pass for Freeman. The Homegrown fullback fizzed a good cross out in front of goal and Muriel met it in midair, heading past Joon-hong and under the bar to make it 1-0.

Ojeda had an opportunity to double the lead three minutes after Muriel’s goal, firing a volley shot on the left. His shot would have gone well wide to the right, but it hit a defender and deflected righ tto Joon-hong.

D.C. started keeping more of the possession, helped in part by a lot of physical play being allowed by referee Tori Penso, who ignored Jansson getting run over from behind by Benteke on one occasion. Otero did well to get to his back post and catch a corner kick cross to snuff out an attack.

Ojeda’s second scoring chance resulted in a scuffed shot right at the goalkeeper in the 39th minute. The Argentine seemed to struggle to get clean hits of the ball or get his shots through cleanly, but that worked to his advantage moments later.

Angulo dispossessed the D.C. defense just outside the box in the 44th minute, giving the ball to Ojeda on the left. The Argentine fired a shot that hit the backside of Herrera and found the inside of the right post to make it 2-0.

Not much happened in the two minutes of stoppage time and the Lions took their 2-0 lead into the break.

At the break, D.C. held the advantage in possession (51.3%-48.7%) and corners (2-0), but Orlando City had the edge in shots (8-3), shots on target (3-1), and passing accuracy (86.5%-85.7%).

Neither side made any changes at halftime and D.C. came out looking to pull a goal back. Boris Enow fired wide of the right post from well outside the box just moments into the second half.

Orlando City extended its lead moments later. Araujo was fouled near the left sideline and Ojeda stood over the free kick and delivered a great back post ball for Freeman to head home, making it 3-0 in the 50th minute.

“The kids play when they deserve to play,” Pareja said about Freeman’s performances this season. “That’s the way it is, and they know that when they play, they have to match the level and keep it, and that’s what he’s doing. Alex is growing in the opportunity that came to him. Has been taking it with responsibility, with maturity, scoring goals. I’m excited with him and the competition he has behind him is not easy because Dagur (Dan Thorhallsson) had a tremendous season and is a tremendous player. I’m happy for Alex, and he’s growing at the point that I think he needs to be seen by the national team.”

The Lions continued to create danger with Muriel taking the ball and going on the attack with Ojeda. He tried to play in his fellow Designated Player near the top of the box, but Joon-hong got to the ball just in time to prevent a shot.

Benteke hit the post for D.C. moments after that chance, but the flag came up anyway for offside. Instead of United pulling a goal back, the Lions extended the lead two minutes later.

All three Designated players combined as Muriel flicked down a long ball into Ojeda’s path. The Lions’ No. 10 played the ball right to Pasalic on the wing. The Croatian then cut to his left inside MacNaughton and blasted a golazo into the upper left corner to make it 4-0 in the 56th minute.

“When you play so good together, then, like these goals come,” Pasalic said. “I said before I came, my left foot can be a weapon, and today it was a weapon.

The attack kept coming. Ojeda forced a good save from Joon-hong in the 60th minute, and two minutes later, McNaughton’s last-second intercession kept an Ojeda pass from finding Muriel in front of an empty net.

Otero was called into action in the 68th minute and made a second big save in the match, denying a redirect from Dominique Badji in front off a cross from the right.

The Lions then fashioned a trio of great chances that all came close to making it 5-0. The first was a shot by Muriel on target that required a big save by Joon-hong. Ojeda picked up the rebound and fired a shot off the outside of the right post. Orlando quickly stole the ball after the ensuing goal kick and Angulo rang the right post with a shot from the left in the 69th minute.

Orlando again came close to a fifth goal in the 76th minute. Muriel attacked 1-v-1 and got outside of his defender, but he pulled his shot just inches wide of the left post.

Gabriel Pirani fired a wicked curling shot from well outside the area in the 77th minute. Otero didn’t seem to see it at first but then made a terrific save to push it out for a corner.

“Otero’s was a very positive performance coming from the academy,” Pareja said.

Ojeda again got down the left in the 83rd minute. He smashed a shot over the bar as he got caught leaning back a bit on his attempt.

About the only thing that went wrong for Orlando on the night was conceding in stoppage time. A ball into the area was headed back across by Benteke. McNaughton was the first to it and he powered his header into the net to make it 4-1, spoiling Otero’s shutout.

“After all those things that happened tonight that were positive for us and that give us reasons to be happy and celebrate, when we conceded that goal, the pain was big too, for me, because we need to elevate the way we’re defending,” Pareja said. “That’s going to make us get results.”

“I know it hurt for the whole team, this one goal,” Pasalic said. “It’s okay. Four-zero would be better.”

Moments later, the final whistle blew on a dominant Orlando City win. D.C. had a late flurry of shots — mainly from outside the area — that allowed the visitors to close the final statistical gap.

Orlando City finished with the advantage in possession (61.4%-38.6%), shots (19-15), and shots on target (7-6). D.C. won more corners (10-1) and passed more accurately (85%-83.6%).

“I thought we were the team who had the best chances all the time, and we proposed a game the way we wanted,” Pareja said. “I think collectively, from the first minute, we had the best options playing against a very tough team, but we did great things as well.”

“We played incredible today. The team spirit was there from the first minute,” Pasalic said. “We fought. We played together. We played like a team.”

The Lions’ home stay was short, as they will now head out on the road for their next two matches. The first is a trip to California to play the LA Galaxy next Saturday.

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 6/17/25

Orlando City and Orlando Pride players on Team of the Week, USMNT Gold Cup continues, and more.

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20 hours ago

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June 17, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wedn…er…Tuesday, Mane Landers. That’s right, I’m here a day early and not a moment too late. Orlando is knee deep in soccer, thanks to the FIFA Club World Cup on top of our favorite Orlando City and Orlando Pride clubs. We will have coverage of the matches taking place in the City Beautiful. Before we get started today, join us in wishing a happy 25th birthday to Orlando Pride midfielder Summer Yates. Now, let’s get to the links.

Schlegel Honored

Rodrigo Schlegel had a pretty good match against the Colorado Rapids. Despite not being named Man of the Match in our Player Grades, he did make the MLS Team of the Week bench. Meanwhile, Orlando held steady at the ninth spot in ESPN’s MLS Power Rankings, while dropping two spots from seventh to ninth in SI.com’s Power Rankings despite winning on the road. It just shows how very accurate and scientific power rankings are, doesn’t it?

Quadruple Honors for the Pride

The Orlando Pride saw Schlegel’s TotW Bench honor and said we can do better. Barbra Banda, Cori Dyke, Emily Sams, and Anna Moorhouse all made the NWSL Team of the Week from the Attacking Third. Congratulations to the Pride for covering a third of the Attacking Third’s selections.

Moorhouse is also up for Player of the Week and Save of the Week. As of this morning, she is not leading either category so you know what to do.

The USMNT Gold Cup Journey Continues

The Concacaf Gold Cup group stage is underway, with the USMNT securing a 5-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago Sunday evening. I’m always for beating Trinidad & Tobago, but more talented teams and tougher matches lie ahead. Next up for the USMNT is Saudi Arabia. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re correct. Saudi Arabia isn’t a Concacaf nation, but the team is the invitee for this Gold Cup. The match is Thursday night at 9:15 p.m. at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX. The U.S. will most likely need a win to secure the top spot in the group.

FIFA Club World Cup Results

The Club World Cup, which will visit Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium later today (we’ll be on hand with the coverage, naturally), continued early this week with Bayern Munich obliterating Auckland City 10-0, PSG defeating Atletico Madrid 4-0, Botafogo beating the Seattle Sounders 2-1, and Facundo Torres and Palmeiras drawing Porto 0-0 on Sunday. In the Monday slate, Chelsea defeated LAFC 2-0, and Boca Juniors and Benfica drew 2-2. Overshadowing all of this is the poor attendance, despite FIFA spending millions to boost said attendance.

Free Kicks

  • One might think that a club sitting second in the official standings on a three-match winning streak would have matching ranks in all the various power rankings. However, one would be wrong, because although the Pride are in the second spot in the SI.com Power Rankings, the club sits at third in the ESPN.com Power Rankings. Do I need to say anything?
  • You don’t often see Barcelona get passed over for an MLS club, but that is exactly what happened despite Barcelona calling FIFA to get a spot in the Club World Cup. That MLS club was LAFC, and it had to earn its way in by beating Club America.
  • Liverpool has set a date for the medical for Florian Wirtz following the record transfer.
  • Congratulations to Orlando City’s Alex Freeman on his performance in his first cap for the USMNT in a competitive match.

Stacked the stat sheet 📈– 10 duels won (led team)– 3 tackles won (led team)– 54 passes completed– 95% passing accuracy– 90 minutes played– 2 clearances– 2 fouls drawn– Clean sheet ✅

— Orlando City SC (@orlandocitysc.com) 2025-06-16T23:03:59.932Z

That will do it for today. Check back as we get you ready for the matches this week. Vamos Orlando!

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. Colorado Rapids: Player Grades and Man of the Match

How did your favorite Lions perform in Orlando City’s 1-0 win over the Colorado Rapids?

Published

2 days ago

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June 16, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City used a professional performance to defeat the Colorado Rapids 1-0 near the Mile High City. It’s a big win for the Lions after two consecutive losses to Atlanta United and the Chicago Fire. It also gives the team some good vibes heading into next week’s international break.

Let’s take a look at the individual performances in this big win.

Starters

GK, Pedro Gallese, 8 (MotM) — Gallese had a massive game for his eighth clean sheet of the season. The shot stopper was credited with two saves and they were both quality. In the 50th minute, he made a one-handed save on a Rafael Navarro header and pushed Djordje Milhailovic’s shot wide while defending his near post in the 72nd minute. Apart from his goalkeeping, Gallese touched the ball 32 times, completing 38.5% of his 26 passes, including four of his 20 long balls. He was also credited with three clearances.

D, David Breaklo, 6 — The starting left back touched the ball 63 times and completed 91.8% of his 49 passes. He completed two of his three long balls, but his lone cross was incomplete. Brekalo also recorded one interception, won an aerial duel, and had eight clearances defensively. He didn’t have any attacking statistics, contributing to the clean sheet.

D, Robin Jansson, 6.5 — Jansson had 65 touches, completing 93.1% of his team-high 58 passes, including four of his seven long balls. He won one tackle and had four clearances defensively. The center back was a bright spot early, making a couple of huge challenges to keep Colorado from getting free chances on goal. Overall, it was a strong performance by the captain.

D, Rodrigo Schlegel, 7 — Schlegel got a first-half booking that sees him suspended for the next game, but the center back was a monster in this game. He had a team-high 86 touches and completed 87.5% of his 56 passes but only one of his five long balls. However, his strength was defensively, where Schlegel recorded an interception and two blocked shots, won three aerial duels, and had an astounding 21 clearances. Despite defending for most of the game, the center back put a shot on target as well.

D, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, 5.5 — Thorhallsson had 38 touches, completing 85.7% of his 21 passes without attempting any long balls or crosses. The right back added two clearances and a blocked shot defensively. He made some mistakes in his own half that created some issues and didn’t get into the attack at all in this game before being replaced by Kyle Smith in the 72nd minute.

MF, Ivan Angulo, 5.5 — Angulo touched the ball 39 times, completing 83.3% of his 30 passes but didn’t attempt any crosses. The midfielder didn’t attempt any shots either. Defensively, Angulo added a clearance and won an aerial duel, but it was largely an invisible night by the speedster.

MF, Eduard Atuesta, 6 — Atuesta had 65 touches and completed 77.6% of his 49 passes, including a key pass and one of his two long balls. He didn’t take any shots, but the defensive midfielder’s focus was on defense. He recorded one tackle, two aerial duels won, three interceptions, and two clearances in a strong performance. He was replaced by Colin Guske in second-half stoppage time.

MF, Joran Gerbet, 6 — Gerbet got the start over Cesar Araujo in this game due to back spasms for Araujo, touching the ball 57 times. The rookie completed 88.4% of his 43 passes without attempting any long balls or crosses. Like Atuesta, his job was defensive as he had three interceptions, won two aerial duels, and logged five clearances in 90 minutes of action.

MF, Marco Pasalic, 7 — Pasalic was trouble for the Rapids defense. He touched the ball 31 times and completed 86.4% of his 22 passes, including three key passes and his lone long ball. The midfielder’s most significant moment came in the 24th minute, when great vision and a good pass found Martin Ojeda for the game’s long goal. Pasalic took two shots, putting one on target. The attacker left the game in the 72nd minute, replaced by Ramiro Enrique.

F, Luis Muriel, 5.5 — Muriel had 26 touches, completing 80% of his 15 passes with a key pass. The forward took two shots, putting neither on target. He also helped defensively, winning an aerial duel, recording a tackle, and adding a clearance before being replaced by Araujo in the 58th minute. Overall, it wasn’t an impressive performance by the Designated Player.

F, Martin Ojeda, 7 — Ojeda was a game-changer, touching the ball 52 times and completing 90.9% of his 44 passes with a key pass, and connecting on one of his two crosses and his lone long ball. He put one of his two shots on target, a hard attempt that went off the hands of Nico Hansen and in for the game’s only goal. It was a good performance for Ojeda, who came off in second-half stoppage time for Nico Rodriguez.

Substitutes

MF, Cesar Araujo (58’), 6 — Araujo replaced Muriel in the 58th minute as the Lions looked to defend their 1-0 lead. The defensive midfielder had 34 touches and completed 96.4% of his 28 passes, including one key pass. He added a tackle and blocked shot in 32 minutes of action, helping to secure the clean sheet.

D, Kyle Smith (72’), 6 — Smith came on for Thorhallsson in the 72nd minute, touching the ball 23 times at right back. He completed 55.6% of his nine passes with an incomplete long ball and through ball. However, Smith’s contribution came on defense, where he added a tackle, four clearances, and two successful aerial duels to help secure the three points.

F, Ramiro Enrique (72’), 6.5 — Enrique came on for Pasalic in the 72nd minute and was solid in his 18 minutes. He had 10 touches and completed 75% of his eight passes without taking any shots. However, he did precisely what his team needed, holding up the ball, winning an aerial duel, and keeping possession late. His wise decision-making is why he gets such a high grade.

MF, Colin Guske (90 + 1’), N/A — Guske came on for Atuesta in the dying minutes to kill some time. He got booked right after coming on, touching the ball only three times and adding a clearance.

MF, Nico Rodriguez (90 + 1’), N/A — Rodriguez came on with Guske for Ojeda and had nearly an identical performance minus the booking. He touched the ball three times, won an aerial duel, and had a clearance defensively.

That’s how I saw the individual performances in this crucial win for the Lions. Let us know what you thought of the game in the comments below and don’t forget to vote on your Man of the Match.

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Lion Links: 6/16/25

Lions and Pride win, USMNT beats Trinidad & Tobago in Gold Cup opener, FIFA Club World Cup weekend recap, and more.

Published

2 days ago

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June 16, 2025

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you and belated happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there. The Lions and the Pride both won while OCB was off this weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Lions Blank Colorado Rapids on the Road

Orlando City defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Martin Ojeda scored the lone goal for the Lions in the first half to snap their two-match winless streak. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made two saves and earned his eighth clean sheet of the season. With the win, Orlando moved up to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 30 points. Orlando City will be off this weekend but will be return to action June 25 on the road at St. Louis City.

Banda’s Goal Lifts Pride Over Bay FC

The Orlando Pride defeated Bay FC 1-0 Friday at PayPal Park in San Jose, CA. After a scoreless first half, Barbra Banda scored the only goal in the match — her eighth goal of the season — and the Pride held on for the win. It’s the team’s third straight 1-0 victory over Bay FC, and the Pride also claimed their fifth clean sheet of the season. Orlando has won three matches in a row and remains second in the NWSL table with 25 points. The Pride will be on the road to take on Racing Louisville Friday.

USMNT Dominates Trinidad & Tobago in Gold Cup Opener

The U.S. Men’s National Team beat Trinidad & Tobago 5-0 Sunday in the opening match of the Concacaf Gold Cup at PayPal Park. Orlando City defender Alex Freeman started the match and played 90 minutes. Malik Tillman scored twice, and Patrick Agyemang added one to give the USMNT a 3-0 lead before halftime. In the second half, Brenden Aaronson and Haji Wright each added a goal to extend the USMNT’s lead to 5-0. With the win, the Yanks snapped a four-match winless streak. The USMNT will take on Saudi Arabia Thursday night at Q2 Stadium in Austin, TX.

FIFA Club World Cup Weekend Recap

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off on Saturday, with Inter Miami and Al Ahly playing to a scoreless draw in the opening match of the group stage. Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made eight saves, including a penalty kick saved in the 43rd minute against Trezeguet of Al Ahly as the teams split the points. On Sunday, Jamal Musiala scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich crushed Auckland City 10-0, Paris Saint-Germain routed Atletico Madrid 4-0, and Palmeiras and FC Porto ended in a scoreless draw. The Seattle Sounders battled Botafogo in the late match. Today’s matchups feature Chelsea taking on LAFC, Boca Juniors facing Benfica, and Flamengo taking on Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

Tampa Bay Sun Wins USL Super League Championship

The Tampa Bay Sun defeated Fort Lauderdale United 1-0 after extra time to win the inaugural USL Super League championship on Saturday at Riverfront Stadium in Tampa. Former Pride players Jordyn Listro and Erika Tymrak were part of the squad’s stellar run to its first championship title in the inaugural season of the USL Super League. After no goals came from either side during the 90 minutes of play, the match went to extra time, and Cecilie Floe scored the winning goal for the Sun. Sydny Nasello was named the 2025 USL Super League Final MVP.

Free Kicks

  • Check out this video on Orlando City’s social media pages featuring some players giving their dads a surprise phone call on Father’s Day.
  • PayPal Park will host the 2025 NWSL Championship match on Nov. 22.

From the home of legends to the stage of champions 🏆The 2025 NWSL Championship presented by Google Pixel is coming to the Bay Area and PayPal Park.

— NWSL (@nwslsoccer.com) 2025-06-13T12:14:48.657Z

That will do it for me today, Mane Landers. Enjoy your Monday, and I’ll see you next time.

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