Orlando City vs. Atlas FC, Leagues Cup: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread for a Saturday night Leagues Cup matchup between Orlando City (0-0-1, 1 point) and Liga MX side Atlas FC (0-1-0, 0 points) at Inter&Co Stadium (6 p.m., MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Univision, TUDN). Tonight’s meeting is the first between these two sides, and it is the second match in the “League Phase” of the competition for both sides, in which the top four MLS and Liga MX finishers will advance to the knockout rounds.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of the match.

History

As this is the first-ever clash between these two clubs, there is no history between them.

Orlando City is 1-2-6 in competitive matches against Liga MX teams after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw and 4-3 penalty shootout loss against Pumas. It was the second consecutive shootout loss to a Liga MX side for the Lions, who used to be good at such things, but things went awry on Wednesday.

Match Overview

Orlando City enters this match having blown three consecutive 1-0 leads late at home — two in MLS play, which resulted in a draw against last-place Montreal and a loss to New York City FC, along with the aforementioned game against Pumas. The only thing that has been working at home is Martin Ojeda, who has been working everywhere, as his assist on Rodrigo Schlegel’s goal Wednesday was his 11th consecutive game in all competitions with a goal contribution. The late goals conceded at home are particularly troubling, considering Orlando has brought on extra defensive help late in each of them.

Atlas is coming off a 2-1 loss to Inter Miami on Wednesday, and the Herons needed a goal deep in stoppage time to get all three points against the stubborn Liga MX side. With a win, a loss, and a draw in the first three matches of the Liga MX Apertura, Atlas was 1-1-1 in league play prior to Leagues Cup. Atlas has conceded 10 goals in the last four matches, which is probably too many for a team that likes to play five at the back and hit in transition, but Los Rojinegros began the Apertura season with a 3-2 win over Puebla, drew Cruz Azul 3-3, then lost 3-1 at Monterrey in a game that saw each side have a man sent off. In the 2-1 loss at Miami, Atlas managed 14 shots and put seven of them on frame, so the Guadalajara-based side can get forward. One player for Atlas with whome Orlando City fans may be familiar is Matías Cóccaro, a forward on loan from CF Montreal.

Orlando must stay focused defensively for the entirety of the game, and the priorities should be taking care of the ball while being quick to transition back defensively if the attack turns it over.

“The format, we are all aware that it is very challenging for all. Only four teams qualify [from each league] out of 18, so it’s not easy for anyone; every point matters, every goal matters and we understand,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said. “The first thing that we need to do is win the game before thinking about how many goals we score, while also knowing that the goal differential will be a tie breaker, so we have to understand that. But the most important thing is to have it in our mind that we can compete (tonight) for the win, and after that we’ll see. The point that we had last game, right now, doesn’t seem like it will be a big advantage, but things happen. Knowing the results yesterday and how the other teams performed, it’s going to be challenging (for teams in this competition) to win three games. We can win two and also be in the fight for those four spots, and we’re going to fight for them.”

The Lions will be without Joran Gerbet (thigh), Duncan McGuire (shoulder), Wilder Cartagena (Achilles), and Yutaro Tsukada (knee).

Match Content

• Our most recent episode of The Mane Land PawedCast features our key matchups and score predictions for tonight’s game and some background on Atlas from FutMexNation writer and Cantina MX podcaster Cristian Diaz.
• Our Ben Miller provided his three keys to an Orlando City victory in tonight’s match.

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Pedro Gallese.

Defenders: David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlgel, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson.

Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Cesar Araujo, Kyle Smith, Nico Rodriguez.

Forwards: Martin Ojeda, Ramiro Enrique.

Bench: Javier Otero, Carlos Mercado, Rafael Santos, Zakaria Taifi, Alex Freeman, Thomas Williams, Jackson Platts, Colin Guske, Bernardo Rhein, Gustavo Caraballo, Marco Pasalic, Luis Muriel.

Atlas FC (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Antonio Sanchez.

Defenders: Jorge San Martin, Adrian Mora, Carlos Robles.

Wingbacks/Midfielders: Jose Lozano, Carlos Orrantia, Alonso Ramirez, Mateo Garcia.

Forwards: Diego Gonzalez, Matias Coccaro, Gustavo Del Prete.

Bench: Cesar Ramos, Camilo Vargas, Gustavo Ferrareis, Matheus Doria, Gaddi Aguirre, Jorge Rodriguez, Aldo Rocha, Jesus Serrato, Sergio Hernandez, Eduardo Aguirre, Uroš Đurđević, Jose Martin.

Referees:

REF: Julio Luna.
AR1: Humberto Panjoj Chitay.
AR2: Luis Ventura Chacón.
4TH: Mario Escobar.
VAR: Diego Ojer.

How to Watch

Match Time: 6 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV/Live Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, Univision, TUDN.

Radio: None.

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 match. Go City!