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Orlando City vs. Pumas UNAM, Leagues Cup: Final Score 1-1 (3-4) as Lions Blow Another Home Lead

Orlando again threw away a late 1-0 lead at home, ultimately earning just one point in a shootout loss after a 1-1 draw with Pumas.

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12 months ago

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City’s bad habit of blowing late leads at Inter&Co Stadium continued tonight as the Lions played Pumas UNAM to a 1-1 draw before falling 4-3 in a penalty shootout in their Leagues Cup opener. Officially the road team for this match, Orlando City got an early goal from the unlikely source of Rodrigo Schlegel early in the match, but failed to create much against the Liga MX side throughout the game, attempting just seven shots, with only Schlegel’s threatening the target.

Pumas took advantage of the Lions failing to put them away, with former Houston Dynamo star Adalberto Carrasquilla scoring a late goal to end normal time at 1-1 and sending the match to penalties.

It was the third consecutive match in this stadium in which Orlando led 1-0 late and failed to win the match.

“We had a good first half, very competitive, and we didn’t have plenty control of the game, but we did have ideas,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “And we not just scored first, but I thought we have much more volume in attack. That gave us the sensation that we could increase (the lead) in the second half. The second half…they started pushing and we lost control of the ball. We started using the long balls and we couldn’t find a way to get out of that pressure.”

Pareja’s starting lineup featured only one change from the team that took the field Saturday in Columbus. Ramiro Enrique replaced Luis Muriel in the starting XI. Pedro Gallese started in goal behind a back line of David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Alex Freeman. Cesar Araujo and Eduard Atuesta started in central midfield between wingers Ivan Angulo and Marco Pasalic, with Martin Ojeda and Enrique up top.

Pumas started with some energy, going on the attack in the first moments of the game, with Alvaro Angulo flashing a shot from the left just wide of the right post in the second minute.

Orlando’s first foray up the field nearly put Ojeda in alone on goal, but his first touch was a bit off and all he could do was win a corner kick. That turned out to be a good thing. Ojeda took the set piece himself and found Schlegel in the mass of bodies in front of goal. The center back got his head to the cross and knocked it in off the right post past Keylor Navas to give the Lions a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute.

“Happy to score again but a little bit heated for what happened with not being able to score after that,” Schlegel said.

It was Schlegel’s first goal in any competition since scoring against FC Dallas on Sept. 28, 2024.

The game settled into a bit more of a chess match over the next 30 minutes after the goal, with each side winning set pieces here and there but doing nothing with them. The Lions always seemed about to create a dangerous chance, only to have an untidy touch blow up the attack.

Eventually the Liga MX side started growing more into the game and created some chances. Jorgen Ruvalcaba fired from the top of the area off a partially cleared corner kick in the 32nd minute, but the Lions blocked the shot out in front.

A minute later, Pasalic sent a beautiful ball from right to left for Ivan Angulo, who did well with his first touch but sailed his cross over an open Freeman at the back post.

Pumas started getting more bite into the attack as the rain began to fall in Orlando, with Pedro Vite having a shot blocked wide in the 37th minute. Alvaro Angulo’s shot took a deflection a minute later and was on target, but Gallese was able to recover from his initial movement to make a vital save. Guillermo Martinez fizzed a header over the bar in the 40th minute.

Near the end of the half, things got chippy. Freeman was wrestled to the ground by Ruvalcaba behind the play as Pumas attacked in the 44th minute and referee Adonai Escobedo let play go on for some reason. When Freeman retaliated, he cautioned both players, so if the first one was a yellow card offense, play should have stopped and a free kick awarded to Orlando.

Two minutes later, Brekalo was fouled from behind in an obvious attempt to slow down play. The Slovenian tried to fight off his opponent only for his hand to get up in the head and neck area, and he was the second OCSC player into the books. Ivan Angulo then got booked during the same stoppage. The Pumas player who committed the foul got nothing.

Ojeda had his shot blocked in front deep in stoppage time and Orlando could do nothing with a pair of corners on the final attacking sequences of the first half.

At the break, Pumas had the advantage in possession (50.4%-49.6%) and shots (7-3). Orlando City led in corners (5-4) and passing accuracy (92.5%-86.7%). Each team put one shot on target.

“I think we played a great first half, and we were really dominating the game within the game,” Schlegel said. “And then the second half, we had a little bit more difficulty, just due to the situation in the game. They were down. They had to start coming out of their area more, and I think it made things difficult on us.”

Pumas owned the second half. Orlando didn’t play like a team interested in adding to its lead for the first 15 minutes, and after that, the Lions dropped deep and allowed the Liga MX side to have the ball, which never seemed like a good idea, and it turned out not to be. Pumas grew confident and created, while easily carving out any counter opportunities Orlando City had in mind.

The Lions took the first shot of the second half but created no danger from it. Ojeda tried to chip Navas from the left side in the 47th minute, but his shot sailed high over the goal.

Two minutes later, Alvaro Angulo fired the first warning shot of the second half, blasting an effort from distance on the left that Gallese fought off. Ruvalcaba fired wide to the right in the 59th minute when given too much space. Pumas scored in the 65th minute, but the play was obviously offside and the flag came up quickly. The flag saved Freeman some blushes, as the young fullback had a chance to clear just prior to that but turned the ball over in the defensive third.

Orlando worked a rare counterattack in the 68th minute that ended up on Pasalic’s foot just outside the area. The Croatian fired but his shot fizzed over the crossbar on his last involvement of the match. He and Enrique were soon replaced by Kyle Smith and Muriel.

Pumas fired another warning shot in the 73rd minute, getting in behind the defense for a 1-v-1 opportunity against Gallese, who made the save, but the flag again came up, nullifying the play.

Carrasquilla scored the goal that always seemed likely in the 80th minute. Playing a quick give-and-go with Piero Quispe, the Panamanian international made a quick, darting run to get onto the return ball and fired it just inside the right post to tie the match at 1-1. The Lions felt Jansson had been held on the play, preventing him from peeling off of his man to intervene, but no foul was given and there didn’t appear to be a review.

“I couldn’t see (the goal) too well from from where I was, but from my perspective, they committed a foul on Robin,” Schlegel said. “But, you know, it’s past. We have to focus on the next game now to go out and get as many points as we can.”

Pumas added another offside goal in the 88th minute, but it was a close play. There was a close call in the buildup that looked just off on the replay, and the flag had come up immediately. Video assistant referee Diana Perez Borja took a lengthy look at it, but ultimately the call on the field stood, and it appeared to be the right call.

Neither team managed another decent sight of goal in normal time and the game went to penalties to determine which team left the match with the additional shootout point.

At full time, Pumas held the advantage in possession (53.6%-46.4%), shots (17-7), and shots on target (4-1), Orlando City passed more accurately (88.6%-87.7%). Both teams won six corners.

Although Leagues Cup rules claim there are no draws, each team had a point, which would suggest there are draws, as there are in MLS NEXT Pro. The games go immediately to penalty shootouts with the winner of the spot kicks awarded a second point in the League Phase standings.

The shootout started much like the game itself. Orlando City dominated the first round, with Ojeda blasting his spot kick into the upper right corner to make it 1-0 with the first shot. Gallese then made a terrific diving save to deny Martinez.

The Lions quickly threw their advantage away. Eduard Atuesta, who has not been the most lethal finisher this season, was Orlando’s second shooter. To his credit, he beat Navas. However, he hit his shot too high and his penalty smashed off the crossbar and bounced back toward him. Alvaro Angulo leveled the shootout after two rounds, and Smith and Nathan Silva both scored in the third round.

Araujo was Orlando’s fourth shooter, making it three consecutive defensive midfielders. The Uruguayan’s penalty was poor, as he fired at a comfortable height for Navas, who read him correctly and made the save look easy. Quispe scored to put Orlando on the brink.

Muriel kept the Lions’ hopes alive by burying his kick, but Carrasquilla made no mistake, scoring on the final shot to claim the second point for Pumas.

“We cannot get that close of the game with more personality,” Pareja said. “That’s why I’m frustrated now. But I have to see the whole game. Very competitive against a good rival, and the boys did a bunch of good things.”

“I think it was a good game, until the last minutes, when we lost the focus and concentration,” Pasalic said. “We had a good feeling. The last game result was really good. Really good chemistry. But this is football and this happens.”

The Lions have another quick turnaround, hosting Atlas in the second League Phase match of Leagues Cup on Saturday at 6 p.m.

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Lion Links: 7/21/26

Catching up with Daryl Dike, Antoine Griezmann’s impact, Giles Barnes leaves Orlando Pride, and more.

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8 hours ago

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July 21, 2026

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC

Good morning, everyone, and happy Orlando City matchday eve. It seems like an eternity since the Lions played way back in late May, but a competitive OCSC game is finally almost upon us, and we’ll have our first chance to see both a new face and a familiar one. We’ve got a lot to talk about this morning, so let’s get into the links.

Catching Up with Daryl Dike

Daryl Dike is wearing Orlando City purple for the second time in his career, and he took some time to express his thoughts and feelings about returning to the club where he got his start. He emphasized how much fun he had during his first stint with the Lions and said the happy memories from his time with OCSC were a big factor in wanting to come back. Despite Robin Jansson being the only teammate left from his first spell with the team, Dike spoke about things feeling very familiar and welcoming. Dike was part of the first Orlando team to ever make the playoffs, and he’s focused on keeping that streak alive for the club now that he’s a Lion once more.

Antoine Griezmann’s Impact

Antoine Griezmann has yet to play an official game for Orlando City,but he’s already making an impact on the team. Interim head coach Martin Perelman praised his presence in the locker room and highlighted the Frenchman’s humility and energy. He certainly brings a lot of experience at the highest level and has the trophy cabinet to prove it, so the club is hoping some of that rubs off on the Lions. After all, the club isn’t that far away from the playoff line, has a U.S. Open Cup semifinal looming in mid-September, and will begin Leagues Cup play in just over two weeks. Here’s hoping his off-field impact carries over onto the field too.

Giles Barnes Leaves Orlando Pride

Giles Barnes has departed from his position as an assistant coach for the Orlando Pride. The former OCSC forward has agreed to become the new head coach of Al Qadsiah FC, a team in the Saudi Women’s Premier League. Barnes had been an assistant with the Pride since the 2022 season, when he joined on an interim basis with then-interim head coach Seb Hines. He helped lead the team to the 2024 NWSL Championship and 2024 NWSL Shield. As a player, Barnes spent the 2017 season with Orlando City as a Designated Player. This will be Barnes’ first head coaching gig, and we wish him the best of luck!

FIFA Will Investigate Post-Final Clashes

FIFA has begun a disciplinary investigation into the clashes that took place at the end of the World Cup final, which saw several Argentine coaches and players involved in physical altercations with Spanish players. Argentina’s Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes were seen hitting Spain’s Eric Garcia and Rodri, while Argentine assistant coach Roberto Ayala appears to have hit Dani Olmo. Lionel Scaloni and multiple players attempted to defuse the situations that were playing out, one of which included a verbal confrontation between Nicolas Otamendi and former Manchester City teammate Rodri. FIFA has opened a review of the postgame scenes, and suspensions could well be on the way for the worst offenders.

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  • Barbra Banda has been called up to represent Zambia at WAFCON.
  • Marco Pasalic was still absent from training as of Monday morning, amidst rumors surrounding a possible summer departure. Perelman said he will be back soon, however.

That’s all I’ve got for you today. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links: 7/20/26

Pride fall to Utah Royals, OCB draws Chattanooga FC, Orlando City signs Clovis Archange, and more.

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1 day ago

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July 20, 2026

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Image of Pedro Leao taking a penalty against Carolina Core FC.
Image courtesy of Orlando City B / Mark Thor

Hello, Mane Landers! I hope all is well with you down in Florida. I’ve been busy at work, but I checked out a Noah Kahan concert and watched the World Cup final while catching up with friends over the weekend. We’ve got plenty to cover today, so let’s get to the links.

Orlando Pride Fall at Utah Royals

The Orlando Pride fell 1-0 to the Utah Royals at America First Field Saturday night. Narumi Miura scored the lone goal for Utah to secure the win, while the Pride have lost back-to-back matches after losing to Boston Legacy Wednesday. That result also dropped Orlando below the playoff line, as the club sits ninth in the NWSL table with 20 points. The Pride will return home for their next match against the Chicago Stars Friday at Inter&Co Stadium.

OCB Wins Penalty Shootout After 1-1 Draw vs. Chattanooga FC

Orlando City B drew Chattanooga FC 1-1 on the road at Finley Stadium Saturday. Pedro Leao scored the opener for the Young Lions in the first half. However, in the second half, Chattanooga FC scored the equalizer. The Young Lions won the penalty shootout 4-3 to earn a second point. OCB will be back in action at home Sunday, facing Huntsville City FC at Osceola County Stadium.

Orlando City Signs Clovis Archange to Homegrown Player Contract

Orlando City announced Friday that the club has signed defender Clovis Archange to a Homegrown Player contract with the first team. The deal is a three-year contract lasting through the 2027 calendar year, with club options in 2028 and 2029. Archange has made six appearances across all competitions for OCB during the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro season.

Latest MLS Transfer Roundup

According to Tom Bogert of The Athletic, there is no movement on the rumored Orlando City forward Marco Pasalic’s potential transfer to Hull City, but the English Premier League side has reportedly inquired about a loan deal.

The Columbus Crew have signed former Manchester United and Real Oviedo center back Eric Bailly. The contract runs through June 2027, with club options for the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 seasons. Liga MX side CF Monterrey is reportedly finalizing a deal to sign Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers.

LAFC has reportedly reached an agreement with Hammarby on a transfer fee to move midfielder Amin Boudri to the Swedish club. Lastly, San Diego FC is reportedly finalizing a deal to sign winger Elias Achouri from FC Copenhagen.

🇹🇳 Sources: San Diego FC is finalizing a deal to sign Tunisia int'l winger Elias Achouri from FC Copenhagen.Achouri, 27, joins San Diego as a Designated Player. He had 5g/7a in 2,368 mins (37 apps) last year & played in all 3 games for Tunisia at the World Cup

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) 2026-07-18T16:37:04.314Z

Spain Wins World Cup

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Sunday to win the World Cup for the second time since 2010. Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time after committing a foul on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi. The match went to extra time, and Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain in the 106th minute. Argentina was unable to find a late equalizer to send the match to penalties. Argentina was looking to repeat as champions but had only two shots in the game (both in extra time) and failed to record a shot on goal. As for the FIFA World Cup awards, Spain midfielder Rodri took the Best Player Award, while France striker Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot Award with 10 goals, the Golden Glove Award went to Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, and Cubarsi won the Young Player Award.

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

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Orlando City

Daryl Dike Returns to Orlando City, Signs Deal Through 2027

Daryl Dike is back with the Lions after being out of contract with West Bromwich Albion.

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4 days ago

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July 17, 2026

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Image of Daryl Dike posing in his Orlando City kit after re-signing with the club on July 17, 2026.
Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Striker Daryl Dike has returned to the club that gave him his professional start. Orlando City announced today that it has signed Dike as a free agent through the 2027 MLS “sprint season” with an option for 2027-2028. The club also had to send $75,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money (GAM) to the Seattle Sounders in exchange for Dike’s Discovery Priority and could owe the Western Conference side another $75,000 in GAM if Dike meets undisclosed performance metrics.

The signing gives Dike a new start after an injury-plagued career at West Bromwich Albion.

“Daryl is a player our club and our fans know well, and we’re very excited to welcome him back to Orlando,” Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira said in a club press release. “He brings a powerful combination of strength, speed, and physical presence, and his ability to hold up play, bring teammates into the attack, and finish chances gives us another important option up front. Daryl has already shown what he can do in our league and in this city, and we look forward to helping him make an impact again in purple.” 

Dike, who will wear No. 9 for the Lions, returns nearly five years since Orlando City sold him to West Brom on Jan. 3, 2022, for a fee reported by The Athletic to be around $10 million.

The Edmond, OK native was Orlando City’s first-round selection with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. As a rookie, he started to see minutes on the pitch during the MLS is Back Tournament, making his professional debut against the Montreal Impact in the competition’s round of 16. From there, the striker out of the University of Virginia blossomed, playing in 35 regular-season matches with Orlando, including 30 starts, for a total of 2,547 minutes. He contributed 18 goals and seven assists on 63 shots, getting 27 on target. He passed well (71.1% in 2020 and 72.1% in 2021), providing 14 key passes. Dike drew 71 fouls while committing 40 and was never booked during the regular season in his time in MLS.

He also played in all three of Orlando City’s playoff games during his first stint with the club, starting all three and scoring one goal on five total shots (two on target). He suffered seven fouls and committed four, and picked up one yellow card in the 2020 postseason.

Following his rookie season, Dike went on loan to Barnsley, where he scored nine goals in 22 matches from February to May of 2021.

Dike’s play with the Lions in his first two professional seasons quickly put him on the USMNT radar and before he was sold to West Brom he made eight appearances and scored three goals for the United States at the senior level. He has added two more caps since for a total of 10.

After his sale to West Brom in the EFL Championship, Dike struggled to stay on the pitch, dealing with Achilles injuries that kept him off the pitch for long stretches. Dike managed to score 11 goals in 68 matches when healthy. He scored twice and added an assist in 24 matches in 2025-2026, starting six times, as he was finally able to get a stretch of games in.

“I’m thrilled to be back where it all started,” Dike said in the club’s press release. “Orlando is where I first got the opportunity to play professionally, and returning here feels like coming home. From the moment I arrived the first time, I felt welcomed, and that same feeling has only grown since I’ve come back. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, and I’m grateful to be back in Orlando.” 

What It Means for Orlando City

Dike fills a hole vacated by the trade of Duncan McGuire to the Houston Dynamo a week ago. It will be interesting to see where his salary slots in when the MLS Players’ Association reveals its next salary information. McGuire, who had his own injury struggles in recent years, made a base salary of $600,000 and a total guaranteed annual compensation of over $920,000.

The hope will be that Dike can both stay healthy and contribute at a higher level than McGuire was prior to his trade to Houston. The new scenery may do McGuire good and a return to familiar surroundings may similarly help Dike regain his footing. At just 26 years old, Dike is still in his prime years and there are plenty of miles left in Dike’s legs if he can stay on the pitch. Fans will remember how he tossed center backs around like rag dolls during his two previous seasons in Orlando. That kind of physicality will open a lot of room underneath for Antoine Griezmann and Martin Ojeda.

With just a year and a half on the base deal, this is a low-risk and potentially very high-reward signing for the Lions.

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