Orlando City
Orlando City vs. D.C. United: Final Score 4-1 as Lions Blast D.C. at Home
Lions get back in the win column in emphatic fashion with goals from all three Designated Players and Homegrown fullback Alex Freeman in Javier Otero’s first MLS start.
All three of Orlando City’s Designated Players scored goals for the first time in club history and Homegrown defender Alex Freeman also put the ball in the net as the Lions (2-2-1, 7 points) crushed D.C. United (1-1-3, 6 points) 4-1 at Inter&Co Stadium. Luis Muriel, Martin Ojeda, Freeman, and Marco Pasalic built the Lions a 4-0 lead that could have been even larger if not for a couple shots off the post, before Lukas MacNaughton spoiled what would have been the team’s first shutout of the year.
Javier Otero didn’t get the shutout in his first MLS start, but he got the win with six saves, including a couple of big ones.
“It was very important to add three points tonight the result brought,” Orlando City Head Coach Oscar Pareja said after the game. “A very good performance and confidence to the players. We felt that everyone is raising their level and that make us collectively and a stronger team. There is a lot of work to do still, but tonight was that one game where we must add three points and play well so we can raise the confidence.”
With Pedro Gallese away for international duty, Pareja’s lineup featured Otero in goal behind a back line of Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, and Freeman. Cesar Araujo returned to the starting central midfield alongside Eduard Atuesta behind an attacking line of Ivan Angulo, Ojeda, and Pasalic, with Muriel up top.
D.C. played with a high line, which Orlando looked to exploit whenever the Lions won the ball. The home side struggled to stay onside in the early going, but managed to find opportunities as the game settled in.
However, it was United fashioning the game’s first chance just four minutes in. Aaron Herrera cut inside of Angulo and smashed a shot on target. Otero did well to catch the shot without spilling it in front of the charging Christian Benteke.
“The players out there, my teammates, gave me confidence, just as I hope that I filled them with confidence throughout the game too,” Otero said. “The team was working and training really well this week, and I think you could see that out there on the field.”
The Lions’ first chance came in the 10th minute when Pasalic sent a good cross into the area for Muriel. The Colombian didn’t make good contact with the aerial cross, and it skipped well wide of the net. Three minutes later, Muriel sent in either a soft shot or a pass in front, but none of his teammates made a run from the left and the ball was easily scooped up by D.C. goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong.
Angulo cut in from the left and fizzed a shot just wide of the right post in the 14th minute, as Orlando continued to press the attack. Muriel was sent down the right side of the box two minutes later. Trying to pick out the upper right corner, he fired his shot just off frame.
Orlando broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Angulo got into the attack on the right for a change, and he laid off a pass for Freeman. The Homegrown fullback fizzed a good cross out in front of goal and Muriel met it in midair, heading past Joon-hong and under the bar to make it 1-0.
Ojeda had an opportunity to double the lead three minutes after Muriel’s goal, firing a volley shot on the left. His shot would have gone well wide to the right, but it hit a defender and deflected righ tto Joon-hong.
D.C. started keeping more of the possession, helped in part by a lot of physical play being allowed by referee Tori Penso, who ignored Jansson getting run over from behind by Benteke on one occasion. Otero did well to get to his back post and catch a corner kick cross to snuff out an attack.
Ojeda’s second scoring chance resulted in a scuffed shot right at the goalkeeper in the 39th minute. The Argentine seemed to struggle to get clean hits of the ball or get his shots through cleanly, but that worked to his advantage moments later.
Angulo dispossessed the D.C. defense just outside the box in the 44th minute, giving the ball to Ojeda on the left. The Argentine fired a shot that hit the backside of Herrera and found the inside of the right post to make it 2-0.
Not much happened in the two minutes of stoppage time and the Lions took their 2-0 lead into the break.
At the break, D.C. held the advantage in possession (51.3%-48.7%) and corners (2-0), but Orlando City had the edge in shots (8-3), shots on target (3-1), and passing accuracy (86.5%-85.7%).
Neither side made any changes at halftime and D.C. came out looking to pull a goal back. Boris Enow fired wide of the right post from well outside the box just moments into the second half.
Orlando City extended its lead moments later. Araujo was fouled near the left sideline and Ojeda stood over the free kick and delivered a great back post ball for Freeman to head home, making it 3-0 in the 50th minute.
“The kids play when they deserve to play,” Pareja said about Freeman’s performances this season. “That’s the way it is, and they know that when they play, they have to match the level and keep it, and that’s what he’s doing. Alex is growing in the opportunity that came to him. Has been taking it with responsibility, with maturity, scoring goals. I’m excited with him and the competition he has behind him is not easy because Dagur (Dan Thorhallsson) had a tremendous season and is a tremendous player. I’m happy for Alex, and he’s growing at the point that I think he needs to be seen by the national team.”
The Lions continued to create danger with Muriel taking the ball and going on the attack with Ojeda. He tried to play in his fellow Designated Player near the top of the box, but Joon-hong got to the ball just in time to prevent a shot.
Benteke hit the post for D.C. moments after that chance, but the flag came up anyway for offside. Instead of United pulling a goal back, the Lions extended the lead two minutes later.
All three Designated players combined as Muriel flicked down a long ball into Ojeda’s path. The Lions’ No. 10 played the ball right to Pasalic on the wing. The Croatian then cut to his left inside MacNaughton and blasted a golazo into the upper left corner to make it 4-0 in the 56th minute.
“When you play so good together, then, like these goals come,” Pasalic said. “I said before I came, my left foot can be a weapon, and today it was a weapon.
The attack kept coming. Ojeda forced a good save from Joon-hong in the 60th minute, and two minutes later, McNaughton’s last-second intercession kept an Ojeda pass from finding Muriel in front of an empty net.
Otero was called into action in the 68th minute and made a second big save in the match, denying a redirect from Dominique Badji in front off a cross from the right.
The Lions then fashioned a trio of great chances that all came close to making it 5-0. The first was a shot by Muriel on target that required a big save by Joon-hong. Ojeda picked up the rebound and fired a shot off the outside of the right post. Orlando quickly stole the ball after the ensuing goal kick and Angulo rang the right post with a shot from the left in the 69th minute.
Orlando again came close to a fifth goal in the 76th minute. Muriel attacked 1-v-1 and got outside of his defender, but he pulled his shot just inches wide of the left post.
Gabriel Pirani fired a wicked curling shot from well outside the area in the 77th minute. Otero didn’t seem to see it at first but then made a terrific save to push it out for a corner.
“Otero’s was a very positive performance coming from the academy,” Pareja said.
Ojeda again got down the left in the 83rd minute. He smashed a shot over the bar as he got caught leaning back a bit on his attempt.
About the only thing that went wrong for Orlando on the night was conceding in stoppage time. A ball into the area was headed back across by Benteke. McNaughton was the first to it and he powered his header into the net to make it 4-1, spoiling Otero’s shutout.
“After all those things that happened tonight that were positive for us and that give us reasons to be happy and celebrate, when we conceded that goal, the pain was big too, for me, because we need to elevate the way we’re defending,” Pareja said. “That’s going to make us get results.”
“I know it hurt for the whole team, this one goal,” Pasalic said. “It’s okay. Four-zero would be better.”
Moments later, the final whistle blew on a dominant Orlando City win. D.C. had a late flurry of shots — mainly from outside the area — that allowed the visitors to close the final statistical gap.
Orlando City finished with the advantage in possession (61.4%-38.6%), shots (19-15), and shots on target (7-6). D.C. won more corners (10-1) and passed more accurately (85%-83.6%).
“I thought we were the team who had the best chances all the time, and we proposed a game the way we wanted,” Pareja said. “I think collectively, from the first minute, we had the best options playing against a very tough team, but we did great things as well.”
“We played incredible today. The team spirit was there from the first minute,” Pasalic said. “We fought. We played together. We played like a team.”
The Lions’ home stay was short, as they will now head out on the road for their next two matches. The first is a trip to California to play the LA Galaxy next Saturday.
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
Orlando City vs. Monterrey, Leagues Cup: Preview, How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More
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