Orlando City vs. CF Monterrey, Leagues Cup: Photo Gallery

Orlando City began its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign in a stormy fashion on Wednesday night, both literally and figuratively. Kickoff was delayed by about 90 minutes due to a classic Florida pop-up thunderstorm, then the game had its own fireworks as numerous plays — a goal, a penalty, and a red card — were overturned after video review and things got chippy with a scrum in front of Maxime Crepeau’s goal. In the end, the Lions came out on top, winning 2-1 against CF Monterrey, the highest-seeded team of their pool, though conceding in stoppage time was damaging in a tourname.

Whether thrown by the weather delay or just continuing the inconsistency that’s marred the 2026 season, Orlando started slowly. Monterrey looked to play directly or counter off turnovers and Roberto de la Rosa put the ball in the net on a quick transition early on, but the goal was overturned for offside in the buildup, sparing the Lions some early blushes.

Orlando eventually found some rhythm in possession about 20 minutes into the match. Those attacks led to a couple of set pieces and shots by Justin Ellis and Ivan Angulo that were blocked near the top of the area. The Lions broke through on a good David Brekalo tackle as he pressed up into the Monterrey half and knocked the ball to Angulo, who found Tyrese Spicer in space on the corner of the 18-yard box. Spicer took a touch and then laid peach of a cross in front of a breaking Antoine Griezmann, who banged it inside the near post for a 1-0 lead.

The two teams battled back and forth for the rest of the half and into the second half, when Monterrey started pressing higher and putting pressure on Orlando’s goal. Luis Reyes attempted to play a ball that Maxime Crépeau had already controlled off a good cross in from the left. The Canadian took exception to Reyes’ unnecessary swipe, leading to a scuffle between the two teams. When the dust settled, Crepeau was shown a yellow card, but Reyes was shown red. After another video review, however, Reyes’ red card was reduced to yellow and play continued, although tempers continued to flare for several more minutes.

The lengthy break alleviated Monterrey’s pressure and allowed the Lions to regain focus. Orlando got back into the attack for the next few minutes, leading to the Lions’ second goal of the night. Ellis’ sharp through-ball played Spicer in behind against Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas, who took Spicer down in the box for a penalty. Again, a lengthy video review ensued, but this time the call was upheld. Throughout the review, Griezmann held the ball at the spot, but when the referee finally signaled for the penalty to be taken, the Frenchman handed it off to Spicer, rewarding him for the earlier assist. Spicer confidently buried it in the top left corner with an unstoppable shot to put the Lions up 2-0.

Monterrey started subbing on its usual attacking starters, trying to get a grip on the game and putting pressure on the Orlando defense. The Lions subbed Daryl Dike on in the 70th minute for his first appearance since returning to the team, and in his first game involvement, he snuck inside his defender at the near post and barely missed a cheeky heel flick on a Griezmann cross at the near post.

Unforutunately, the Lions were not able to hold onto the clean sheet, falling asleep in the final minute of stoppage time. Hugo Cuypers was left unmarked and headed a cross just under the crossbar to spoil the clean sheet. Since advancement will be tight and likely involve goal differential, it may have been a critical error just seconds from the final whistle.

We hope you enjoy these images from a memorable win over the Mexican giants in Orlando City’s first-ever match against Monterrey.