Top 10 Moments of 2025: Orlando City Clinches Playoff Spot On Alex Freeman’s Stoppage-Time Goal

As we count down to the new year of 2026 — which will be Orlando City’s 12th in MLS, the Orlando Pride’s 11th in the NWSL, and OCB’s fourth in MLS NEXT Pro — and say goodbye to 2025, it’s time to look back at the club’s 10 best moments of the year as selected by The Mane Land staff via vote.

To begin Orlando City’s top 10 moments of 2025, we look back at the Lions clinching a playoff spot for the sixth straight year. On Sept. 28, the purple-clad team headed north to face FC Cincinnati, one of the league’s best teams. But a late goal by a fan favorite clinched a postseason berth for Orlando. With the New York Red Bulls missing the playoffs, City inherited the longest streak for consecutive appearances in the postseason.

Orlando City only needed a point to qualify for the playoffs with four games left, so there was little doubt they would achieve the goal. The fight seemed more about securing a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference. Still, qualifying on the road against one of the league’s best teams made it a night to remember.

The Lions were the more aggressive team in this game, creating more chances than the opposition. But their lack of accuracy nearly prevented them from gaining any points in a game in which they should’ve collected the maximum.

Both teams created chances, but most were either blocked by a defender or directly at the goalkeeper.

The best opportunity of the first half was in the 11th minute when Marco Pasalic sent a hard, low cross to Martin Ojeda in the box. The playmaker touched it on for Duncan McGuire, who did well to settle the ball and looked to guide it into the corner. But he sent the attempt just wide of the post.

Cincinnati had more possession (55.4%-44.6%) and passing accuracy (88%-82.9%) at the break, but Orlando City had more shots (11-4) and corner kicks (3-2). Despite the Lions having a hefty lead in attempts, both teams only put two chances on target.

As the second half commenced, Cincinnati created more chances, but still had fewer than Orlando City. However, neither goalkeeper was threatened much, with the closest chance being an Ender Echenique deflected shot that spun towards goal before Pedro Gallese covered it.

The Lions’ inability to convert became costly in the 73rd minute when the hosts took a late lead.

Tyrese Spicer lost possession in the attacking half and Cincinnati took advantage. Kevin Denkey found space between Alex Freeman and Rodrigo Schlegel, and Evander played a perfect ball to him. With plenty of time and space, the Togolese attacker put his first touch past Gallese and into the corner, giving the hosts the 1-0 lead.

The Lions looked dead in the water until stoppage time, when they suddenly came to life. They created multiple chances in the dying minutes, most of which were off target. Fortunataely, in the sixth of seven added minutes, they finally converted.

After being partially at fault for the first goal, Spicer made up for it with a strong run down the left. He used a spin move to lose to Echenique and played a perfect ball into the box where Freeman was making a run. The right back redirected the ball on target, putting his header past Evan Louro to tie the game at 1-1.

The goal was Freeman’s sixth and final goal of Orlando City’s 2025 season. It was Spicer’s second assist since joining the club on Aug. 1 and his second in two games.

FC Cincinnati created one more chance in the final moments when Ayoub Jabbari redirected Evander’s cross on target. But it was right to Gallese and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

It wasn’t the most exciting 90 minutes, with both teams feeling they dropped two points. But, after giving up a goal with less than 20 minutes remaining, the Lions were happy to claim a road point against one of the league’s best teams and officially clinch a playoff spot.

Clinching a sixth postseason berth in a row on such a dramatic, late goal makes this worthy of a spot in our top moments of the year.

Come back through New Year’s Eve as we count down the remainder of the top 10 moments of 2025 for Orlando City, the Orlando Pride, and OCB.