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

Welcome to your match thread for a Wednesday night Leagues Cup matchup between Orlando City (1-0-1, 4 points) and Liga MX side Necaxa (1-0-1, 4 points) at Inter&Co Stadium (7 p.m., MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). Tonight’s meeting is the first between these two sides, and it is the third and final 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 2-2-6 in competitive matches against Liga MX teams after Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Atlas FC. The Lions kicked off their run in the competition a week ago with a 1-1 draw and 4-3 penalty shootout loss against Pumas.

Match Overview

Orlando City enters this match having blown four consecutive 1-0 second-half leads 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. Saturday’s win over Atlas also included a blown 1-0 lead, but the Lions managed to score seven minutes after the equalizer to retake the lead and added a late insurance goal. Orlando has struggled to score goals against Liga MX competition but managed to put three on the board Saturday. The Lions will hope to duplicate that effort tonight. Realistically, the Lions must win tonight and get a little help to advance to the knockout rounds.

Necaxa is coming off a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami Saturday. Ricardo Monreal’s goal in the 81st minute had the Mexican side moments from a big victory, but Jordi Alba scored on a set piece in the second minute of stoppage time to force penalties, with the Herons scoring all five penalties to win the shootout 5-4 to snatch the second point. Both teams had a man sent off in the match, so defender Cristian Calderon will miss tonight’s match due to suspension. His foul on Luis Suarez in the 60th minute earned him a second yellow on Saturday. Maxi Falcon was sent off for Miami in the 17th minute, but Necaxa could not take advantage. Necaxas is 1-1-1 in the Liga MX Aperatura season.

As is usual with matches against Liga MX clubs, 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.

“I have seen a team [Necaxa] that is very comeptitive, that is in a very similar situation in terms of the possibilities to advance — both teams with their only option to win,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said ahead of the match. “The context of their games, I have seen a team with a new coach, and in their first three games in Mexico and these two games that they have played in Leagues Cup is enough information to see their game model from their coach Fernando [Gago], and, as I said, a very competitive and traditional team in Mexico that will be very entertaining for the fans, who we invite to come support us. We’re going to take the game with full cylinders with this possibility. The boys are very committed with the tournament and the game.”

The Lions will be without Joran Gerbet (thigh), Duncan McGuire (shoulder), Wilder Cartagena (Achilles), and Yutaro Tsukada (knee). Eduard Atuesta picked up a knock just prior to Saturday’s match and had not yet returned to full training as of Tuesday, so don’t expect to see him either.

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 Necaxa from FutMexNation writer and Cantina MX podcaster Cristian Diaz.

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Pedro Gallese.

Defenders: David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlgel, Alex Freeman.

Midfielders: Ivan Angulo, Cesar Araujo, Kyle Smith, Marco Pasalic.

Forwards: Martin Ojeda, Luis Muriel.

Bench: Javier Otero, Carlos Mercado, Rafael Santos, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Zakaria Taifi, Thomas Williams, Colin Guske, Dylan Judelson, Bernardo Rhein, Favian Loyola, Nico Rodriguez, Ramiro Enrique.

Necaxa (3-1-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Ezequiel Unsain.

Defenders: Diego de Buen, Alexis Pena, Tomas Jacob.

Defensive Midfielder: Ivan Rodriguez.

Wingbacks/Midfielders: Raul Sanchez, Johan Rojas, Agustín Palavecino, Kevin Rosero.

Forwards: Tomas Badaloni, Diber Cambindo.

Bench: Luis Jimenez, Rodrigo Castaneda, Emilio Martinez, Jesus Alcantar, Alejandro Andrade, Pavel Perez, Rogelio Cortez, Diego Gomez, Franco Rossano, Ricardo Monreal, Jose Santoyo, Joshua Palacios.

Referees:

REF: Fernando Gomez.
AR1: Marco Bisguerra Mendola.
AR2: Alberto Mendez.
4TH: Jesus Lopez Valle.
VAR: Erick Miranda Galindo.

How to Watch

Match Time: 7 p.m.

Venue: Inter&Co Stadium — Orlando.

TV/Live Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

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!