Orlando City
Orlando City vs. Necaxa, Leagues Cup: Final Score 5-1 as Muriel’s Hat Trick Leads Lions to Dominant Victory
Lions run rampant over Necaxa in a dominating win led by Luis Muriel’s hat trick and two more goals from Martin Ojeda.
Orlando City needed to win and get help entering the last match day of the opening phase of Leagues Cup, and the Lions played like a desperate team in a 5-1 destruction of Liga MX side Necaxa at Inter&Co Stadium tonight. Luis Muriel scored a hat trick in a span of 11 minutes to close the first half, with Martin Ojeda contributing a brace in a dominating display to finish the League Phase of the competition at 2-0-1. The Lions did what they had to do and must now wait for other results to see if they can advance to the quarterfinals.
Orlando City improved to 3-2-6 in competitive matches against Liga MX sides and the club put itself in position to advance to the quarterfinals if other results can go the Lions’ way.
“I think their commitment with the game I saw, with the opportunity that we had, and I saw the group with a lot of desire not just to win it but trying to push as hard as they have done,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the match. “Today things bounced our way. We were lethal in our chances. We had our players with a lot of clarity and that gave us this opportunity to keep going.”
Pareja’s starting lineup included goalkeeper Pedro Gallese behind a back line of David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Alex Freeman. Cesar Araujo and Kyle Smith started in central midfield between wingers Ivan Angulo and Marco Pasalic, with Martin Ojeda and Luis Muriel up top.
There wasn’t much action before the opening goal, with each team taking turns possessing the ball but breaking down in the attacking third.
Ojeda opened the scoring at the quarter-hour mark on one of the best-struck goals of the season. Freeman sent a cross from the right to the Argentine, who volleyed it first touch and sent a screamer into the top left corner to make it 1-0.
“Me and Martin were talking about it before game, just our connection. I had given him like two assists in last three games,” Freeman said. “I was looking for him. I chipped it to him and he made one of the best goals I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“The service on that first goal, it was as good as Martin’s finishing, for sure,” Pareja said of Freeman’s effort on the assist. “That quality of how Alex plays that ball, it was great to see it, and not to mention that keeps on elevating Martin’s confidence.”
Just two minutes later, Ojeda came close to doubling the lead, making a good move to blow past a defender on the left and firing on target, but Necaxa goalkeeper Ezequiel Unsain made the save.
Gallese made his only save of the first half on a header from Tomás Badaloni in the 18th minute.
Freeman tried a volley of his own off an Ojeda service on a long-range free kick in the 20th minute, but the young fullback sent his shot off the left post and it stayed out.
Agustín Palavecino tried his luck from long range with a sneaky fast shot in the 21st minute, sending it just wide of the right post.
Orlando should have doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when Angulo got down the left and found Muriel in front. The Colombian’s shot dinked off the left post and stayed out. Pasalic then picked up the rebound near the top of the box and fired, but his shot was saved.
The Lions nearly paid for not taking that chance when Johan Rojas sent a shot that deflected off Brekalo in the 24th minute. The rebound carried over Gallese but went wide to the left of goal. Necaxa couldn’t do anything with the ensuing corner. Díber Cambindo then fired wide in the 30th minute and Kevin Rosero missed wide in the 34th as the visitors seemed likely to equalize.
Muriel then began to assert himself a minute later.
Freeman made a nice move and brought the ball up the left channel before finding Araujo out wide. The Uruguayan saw Muriel making a run and delivered a perfect ball for the Colombian to head home, making it 2-0 in the 35th minute.
“I see every day in training that (Muriel) has talent. You know, he has the possibility of scoring every game, getting opportunities and just creating what he can do,” Freeman said. “And today he just displayed it. He was very clinical in the final third.”
The buzz from the crowd had hardly abated when Muriel did it again. Ojeda took the ball into the corner and dropped it off for Angulo out on the left. The winger made a shake-and-bake move to lose two defenders and then found Muriel, who had gotten lost between the two center backs. The cross was perfect and Muriel’s second headed goal in two minutes made it 3-0 in the 37th minute.
“The occupation of the area from Luis is what we need to keep doing more often,” Pareja said, “because his quality outside the box is clear. But the occupation that he did tonight in the box, scoring, heading like a true number nine is great and keeps us very optimistic.”
Orlando City’s No. 9 wasn’t done. In the first minute of first-half injury time, Ojeda picked up the ball in the center of the pitch and broke forward. Waiting as long as he could, Ojeda finally sent a ball to Muriel on the left side and the striker hit the ball first time with his right foot, sending it past Unsain and in to complete his hat trick.
“Martin and I had the fortune to score the goals tonight, but I think the work that the team did was so important,” Muriel said. “The assist from Cesar on my first goal was perfect. The assist from Alex on, Martin’s goal was perfect. The assists from Ivan were perfect, and the assist from Martin on my goal was perfect. So I think, you know, the work of the team is just incredible. I think this team is doing things so well and in such a good form, and I really hope that it’s able to continue, because we can achieve a lot of things together, and we deserve to with the way that we’re working together.”
“We are trying to split the energies in those jobs with Ramiro what has come in the games where he has been a tremendous key for us to achieve the results. And tonight, we felt that Luis was the one who came fresh from the past two games,” Pareja said about returning the Colombian to the starting lineup. “I thought it was that quality that he has that we needed. The response from him tonight was exceptional. His quality in that finishing tonight elevated our level as a group. We’re so pleased and I want to congratulate Luis as well. He’s always a good teammate.”
Moments later, the Lions took their 4-0 lead into halftime.
Necaxa held the halftime advantage in possession (54%-46%), corners (3-1), and passing accuracy (84.5%-81%), while the Lions fired more shots (8-7) and shots on target (6-2). Orlando was the much more clinical side, despite hitting the post twice, and therefore held the four-goal lead at the break.
The visitors made five substitutions at the break, and Necaxa was able to get a couple of early shot attempts off. Pavel Perez fired just over the crossbar in the 46th minute and Badaloni missed wide to the right moments later.
Orlando’s lead, however, bulged to 5-0 just after the Badaloni miss. Angulo took the ball down the left and slipped a pass in for Ojeda, who held off a defender and then smashed his shot past Unsain in the 51st minute to complete his brace.
“The response from Martin in the second half when he scored the fifth goal in the moment that we needed — because we were losing again territory and we needed something else and he came up with that one goal,” Pareja said.
After the fifth Orlando goal, the Lions seemed to struggle getting the ball out of their end for a long spell. Necaxa won some corner kicks and sent a couple of shots off target. Rosero and Diego de Buen each missed the target in the buildup to the hour mark.
Pena put Necaxa on the board in the 71st minute off another corner kick. The visitors played it short this time and Franco Rossano played a good cross into the box from the left. Pena outjumped everyone and nodded it just inside the left post to beat Gallese and make it 5-1.
Neither side created much down the final minutes of the game. Rosero turned and fired on target in the 80th minute, but he didn’t get much on his shot and sent it straight at Gallese.
Two minutes later, second-half sub Ramiro Enrique forced Unsain into a near-post save on the right. Ojeda forced a save a minute later after the ensuing corner, but couldn’t complete Orlando’s second hat trick of the night.
The visitors finished with the advantage in possession (55%-45%), shots (18-11), corners (8-7), and passing accuracy (84.7%-80.2%). Orlando put more shots on target (8-4) and, more importantly, in the net.
“Tonight was a great result to put us in a great spot in the tournament,” Muriel said. “You know, we have to wait for a couple more results, but we put ourselves in a great spot tonight, and it leads into a great, tough battle this weekend that’s going to be really important for us.”
Thus concludes Orlando’s participation in the League Phase of the 2025 Leagues Cup. The Lions return to MLS action Sunday night at home against Inter Miami.
Orlando City
More Spice or Less? Tyrese Spicer as Starter vs. Substitute
Tyrese Spicer’s performances as an OCSC starter and substitute, and how he ranks as against offensive subs in MLS.
Back in 2015, I worked for a company that assigned me to a project for a company in Trinidad & Tobago, and I spent about half a year traveling back and forth from Orlando to Port of Spain, the capital city. I loved everything about my time in Trinidad & Tobago, and while I promise this will move to soccer shortly and not become a travelogue or a food blog, I have to briefly mention my discovery there of a food called “doubles.”
Doubles are often eaten as a breakfast food but are delicious at any time of the day. Much like with cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, there is a language associated with ordering them. A doubles order usually consists of how many you want and how hot you would like them to be. I do not have a high tolerance for heat, so I often ordered mine with “no pepper,” (tell me you are an American without telling me you are an American), but Trinis generally go with at least slight pepper and often medium or heavy pepper.
All of that discussion of Trinidad & Tobago and pepper brings us to a man who comes from the twin islands and literally has spice in his last name — Tyrese Spicer.
Spicy T was the Man of the Match in our player grades from Orlando City’s most recent MLS game after contributing a goal and an assist. He scored his fourth goal of the MLS season, which ranks second on the team behind Martín Ojeda’s 11. Spicer scored that goal after coming off the bench to replace Tiago, and his bench goal was the seventh for the Lions this season, which ties them for the league lead in goals scored by substitutes:
| Team | Substitute Goals | Total Goals* | Substitute Goal % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando City | 7 | 30 | 23% |
| Cincinnati | 7 | 44 | 16% |
| Seattle | 6 | 20 | 30% |
| Miami | 6 | 44 | 14% |
| Portland | 5 | 32 | 16% |
| Dallas | 5 | 31 | 16% |
| St. Louis | 5 | 23 | 22% |
| Nashville | 5 | 35 | 14% |
*Excludes opposition own goals
All four of Spicer’s goals in MLS play have come as a substitute, and he is tied for the league lead with Cincinnati’s Tom Barlow in that category:
| Player | Team | Substitute Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrese Spicer | Orlando City | 4 |
| Tom Barlow | Cincinnati | 4 |
| Christian Ramirez | Austin | 3 |
| Samuel Sarver | Dallas | 3 |
| Peyton Miller | New England | 3 |
During the entire 2025 MLS season the league leaders in substitute goals scored only four goals off the bench, and Spicer has already reached that tally through Orlando City’s first 18 league games.
Extrapolating those 18 games to the full season would put Spicer on pace for 7.56 goals, and since he has scored all of his goals off the bench, the extrapolation for goals as a substitute would also be for that same amount, which would be the most in MLS since Dejan Joveljić scored eight goals as a substitute for the LA Galaxy in 2022.
A logical question would be: If Spicer is scoring all these goals in limited minutes as a substitute, should Orlando City just make him a starter?
On the surface, it seems like an obvious no.
Put aside the fact that leading scorer Martín Ojeda is out injured but will command a starting spot when he returns, likely at the same left wing position where Spicer usually plays, another fact is that since joining Orlando City in August of 2025, Spicer has played demonstrably better off the bench than as a starter across all competitions (data from Opta’s tracking on fbref.com):
| Role | Minutes Played | Goals | Primary Assists | Goal Contributions per 90 mins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 457 | 2 | 0 | 0.39 |
| Subtitute | 557 | 5 | 4 | 1.45 |
In recent years, Orlando City has benefitted from “supersubs,” as Spicer’s four goals thus far in 2026 marks the fourth consecutive season in which a Lion has scored at least four goals in a season as a substitute. Duncan McGuire started the trend with five in 2023 and added four in 2024. Ramiro Enrique followed with four off the bench in 2025 (and likely would have scored more that had he not transferred in August; I really wish he had stayed. Sigh.), and now Spicer has four in 2026 with many games still to play. McGuire’s five in 2023 is the joint club record with Júlio Baptista, as The Beast lived up to that moniker when coming off the bench in 2016, but Spicer is hot on their heels.
Some players simply perform better off the bench, and Spicer, at least so far, seems to be in that Manu Ginóbili mold of a player with starter-level talent that is better at finishing games than starting them.
Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira noted this when the club acquired Spicer from Toronto, saying that the Trinidad & Tobago international player would “bring additional depth and energy” and that “his relentless work rate and ability to stretch the field will give us a much-needed boost and add another dimension to our attack moving forward.”
Spicer’s boosts off the bench have led to two game-winning goals this season, the fourth in the amazing 4-3 comeback victory over Inter Miami in May and the only goal in the 1-0 home victory over Nashville at the end of July.
August is a packed month for Orlando City, with at least eight games on the calendar and possibly nine, depending on how the Lions do in Leagues Cup. We’ll see throughout the rest of August (this article was written before the Leagues Cup game against CF Monterrey, which had Spicer in the starting lineup) if Martín Perelman is locked in to using Spicer as a supersub or gives him additional chances as a starter, as there will need to be some rotation with games every three to four days.
The numbers say that Perelman should keep looking for someone to hold down the left wing for the first portion of the game and bring in Spicer to close, but Orlando City’s poor play on the left side of the field in the first half helped dig a hole it could not climb out of against the Red Bulls, and this is a critical part of the season, so getting positive results is of paramount importance.
I’m looking forward to finding out if Perelman makes the call to go from no pepper to Spicy T as a frequent left wing starter, at least until Ojeda returns. The numbers are against it, as am I, but we shall see what Perelman orders.
Vamos Orlando!
Orlando City
Pasalic Remains in Purple
Marco Pasalic is staying. What does that mean for Orlando City’s season?
At least for the moment, it seems the Marco Pasalic to Hull City transfer is a bust. With the Croatian back in the mix for Orlando City, the team will have two of three Designated Players available. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for Martin Ojeda to make it back from his injury. In the meantime, the return of the left-footed, Croatian rocket launcher is a good thing, right? Let’s take a look at the arguments for and against, and how it affects the rest of the squad.
More Firepower
Pasalic has the potential to contribute a significant number of goals for Orlando City. We haven’t seen what he can do when on the pitch with Antoine Griezmann, who can create space for Pasalic on the right side of the box. Griezmann can drag defenders to the left, allowing Pasalic more of an opening to unleash his signature top-of-the-box shot. Griezmann or Justin Ellis will be able to provide slick, no-look passes to a hopefully wide-open Pasalic.
Additionally, if Pasalic regains his form, the threat he poses will allow the left side of the attack some more space to move. There’s also the Daryl Dike factor. Once the big man is fully integrated back into the attack, there is a veritable smorgasbord of attacking options for an attack-oriented Martin Perelman to employ. He does seem to have an “all gas, no brakes, who needs defense” approach to tactics. Obviously, that is hyperbole, but not by much.
All of this is contingent on Pasalic resetting his mindset to give 100% to Orlando City. As a professional, I expect he will believe he is going to do so, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, given he obviously wanted to make a move back to Europe. Recommitting to a team you thought you were leaving is never easy, no matter what anyone says.
Defensive Implications
If Orlando City had sold Pasalic, there would have been an infusion of cash available to help build the roster. I think it unlikely that a new Designated Player could be signed before the secondary window closes. That kind of money could be used on a decent left back, another veteran center back, or help in the defensive midfield. Maybe even all of the above.
Now, the money is tied up and the defense still has so many challenges. I don’t think Pasalic’s offensive production will be able to overcome the goals the defense will give up the rest of the season. Not losing a Designated Player at this point of the season is generally a good thing, especially with Ojeda being injured, though I’m not convinced things are actually better with Pasalic staying. Of course, even if he had been sold, there’s no guarantee that Ricardo Moreira would reinforce the defense in the transfer window.
I’m hopeful that Pasalic rededicates himself to Orlando City and starts to produce some goals for the Lions, because given this defense, the team will need as many goals as possible. Let us know your thoughts on how Pasalic staying plays out. Vamos Orlando!
Lion Links
Lion Links: 8/6/26
Orlando City beats Monterrey, Marco Pasalic reportedly staying in Orlando, Zambia ousted from Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and more.
It’s Thursday, which means we’re celebrating an Orlando City victory. The Lions have been midweek monsters this season and it’s been a nice boost of energy to get through the week. If any of you are performing some sort of ritual on Wednesday nights, please keep it up. Let’s get to the big win and more in today’s links!
Orlando City Beats Monterrey in Leagues Cup
After a lengthy weather delay, Orlando City beat Monterrey 2-1 at home in its first match of this year’s Leagues Cup. The video review system was put through its paces in this match, overturning a Monterrey goal, a Monterrey red card, and a penalty on Orlando’s Robin Jansson in separate instances. Be sure to check out our recap of the win, which included a nice performance from Tyrese Spicer as a starter and the return of Daryl Dike off the bench. The Lions will be back in action on Saturday against Club Leon before wrapping up this phase of the tournament on Wednesday against San Luis.
Marco Pasalic Reportedly Staying in Orlando
There’s been buzz this summer regarding Marco Pasalic being transferred form Orlando City to Hull City, but the move is reportedly not going to happen according to Croatian sports newspaper Sportske Novosti.
Pasalic had 12 goals and five assists in his first MLS season last year after joining Orlando from HNK Rijeka. While the 25-year-old hasn’t quite had the same impact so far this season, he did play for Croatia in this summer’s World Cup and could benefit from the addition of Antoine Griezmann to the offense. Pasalic came off the bench for a late cameo on Wednesday to help see out the win over Monterrey.
Zambia Eliminated From WAFCON Despite Win
Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda scored in Zambia’s 2-1 win against Malawi in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, but it wasn’t enough for Zambia to avoid elimination. Zambia, Malawi, and Nigeria all finished with six points in the group stage, but Zambia was ousted due to the third tiebreaker of goals scored in matches between the three. It’s a rough way to go out for Zambia, which finished with the best overall goal differential in the group. As a result, Zambia will not take part in the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Banda finished the tournament with five goals and will return to a Pride team in desperate need of help on offense.
U.S. Qualifies for 2027 U-20 Men’s World Cup
The United States U-19 Men’s National Team beat Guatemala 3-1 to advance to the semifinals of the Concacaf U-20 Men’s Championship, qualifying for the 2027 U-20 World Cup and 2027 Pan American Games in the process. Guatemala struck first, but the U.S. found an equalizer right before halftime and went on to win the game with a pair of goals in the second half. Orlando City midfielder Colin Guske was a starter in the match as well. The U.S. will take on Costa Rica in the semifinals Friday at the Azteca.
FIFA Backs Gianni Infantino as Pressure Rises
As the soccer world reacts to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s failed scheme to sell stakes in the World Cup, FIFA reaffirmed its support for him at a crisis meeting in Morocco over his presidency. There have been many calls for reform due to Infantino’s actions, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stating he does not have confidence in him and Portuguese legend Luis Figo calling for him to step down. FIFA also denied a report that Infantino offered Morocco hosting for the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for support.
Free Kicks
- Former Lion Nico Lodeiro announced his retirement from professional soccer and Orlando City General Manager and Sporting Director Ricardo Moreira wished him the best with one of his highlights as a Lion.
- The Columbus Crew added Chilean forward Gonzalo Tapia on loan from Sao Paulo through the 2027 MLS sprint season.
- Eva Olid was announced as the next head coach of Manchester United’s women’s soccer team, replacing former Pride head coach Marc Skinner. She has spent the past five years with Hearts and won the Scottish Women’s Premier League title last season.
- Wrexham signed midfielder Ben Whiteman, who has 200 EFL Championship appearances under his belt and was Preston North End’s captain.
- Mo Salah arrived in Istanbul as it appears he will sign with Trabzonspor after nine seasons with Liverpool. Does this make the Turkish Super Lig a retirement league or does that label only apply when it’s about MLS?
That’s all I have for you this time around. I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday and rest of your week!
More Spice or Less? Tyrese Spicer as Starter vs. Substitute
Pasalic Remains in Purple
Lion Links: 8/6/26
Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls: Final Score 3-2 as Poor Start Sinks Lions
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