After defeating Houston Dynamo 5-4 on penalties (1-1 at full-time) in our first “South 2” group game of the 2023 Leagues Cup, Orlando City SC now face Liga MX side Santos Laguna at Exploria Stadium, requiring at least two points to guarantee a spot in the Round of 32 knockout stage.
Previously facing Guerreros back in the 2021 Leagues Cup, Miguel Gallardo‘s boyhood club Santos Laguna were victorious on that occasion (0-1) with Oscar Pareja‘s side hoping for a better outcome this time around.
Qualification and elimination scenarios
Here are the permutations for Orlando City SC heading into their second and final “South 2” group game against Santos Laguna in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
- Clinch scenario 1 – Orlando City SC will top the “South 2” group and qualify for the Round of 32 stage with a regulation time win
- Clinch scenario 2 – Orlando City SC will top the “South 2” group and qualify for the Round of 32 stage with a regulation time draw and a penalty shootout victory
- Clinch scenario 3 – Orlando City SC will finish as runner-up in the “South 2” group and qualify for the Round of 32 stage with a penalty shootout defeat ONLY IF they draw 3-3 or more in regulation time
- Elimination scenario 1 – Orlando City SC will be eliminated if they draw 2-2 in regulation time and lose the subsequent penalty shootout. This is due to the Fair Play Rule tie-breaker. The Lions would be eliminated having accumulated more yellow cards than Houston Dynamo.
- Elimination scenario 2 – Orlando City SC will be eliminated if they lose in regulation time
Should the Lions qualify via clinch scenario 1 or 2, they will visit Florida rivals Inter Miami and Lionel Messi in a super intriguing Round of 32 knockout clash.
With three goals in two tournament games, Messi inspired The Herons to two victories from two as they topped their “South 3” group.
Should City qualify via clinch scenario 3, they will host Pachuca in the Round of 32.
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Reflecting on the Dynamo game, the first-half was cagey on a typically hot and humid July evening in Central Florida.
With the players’ jerseys ringing with sweat as early as the tenth minute, Oscar Pareja went against the dress code – wearing a long sleeved tracksuit in the melting pot that was Exploria Stadium.
The heat really affected the quality of the game with Orlando City SC and Houston Dynamo both struggling to lay a glove on one another.
But controversy ruled in first-half stoppage time.
With Dynamo full back Griffin Dorsey appearing on Rafael Santos‘ blind side in Orlando City SC‘s penalty area, Dorsey dramatically tumbled to the floor feigning contact.
Replays frustratingly confirmed City supporters’ initial hunch that Dorsey had “bought” the penalty, opportunistically tripping over thin air to con referee Filip Dujic.
Ignoring the opportunity to consult VAR, Duric crazily ruled that the penalty would stand with Amine Bassi converting his spot kick beyond Pedro Gallese.
Frustrated entering half-time, Orlando City SC didn’t let their anger get the better of them however, taking just TWO minutes to find the second-half equaliser – as they kicked towards The Wall in a welcome change.
Capitalising on a poor Micael back pass and an even worse Andrew Tarbell goal kick, Tarbell passed the ball right into the path of Duncan McGuire who ruthlessly punished the sloppy play to tie the game.
His ninth goal in purple, McGuire’s incredible rookie season continues to go from strength to strength.
A fantastic way to start the second-half, more big chances fell Orlando City SC‘s way after the 70th minute mark.
On 70 minutes, Rafael Santos whipped a now trademark left footed cross to Iván Angulo at Houston Dynamo’s far post.
Cutting the ball back to Facundo Torres, El Cuervo should’ve taken his shot one time.
Taking too long to get a shot off, he only earned a corner when it could’ve been so much more.
Just three minutes later, Robin Jansson bypassed the entire Dynamo defence with a trademark raking pass upfield.
Expertly locating substitute Ramiro Enrique who had nothing between him and Andrew Tarbell but green space, Enrique overcooked his chipped finish that narrowly went over the bar.
With nothing separating both sides at full-time (1-1), you wondered whether these big missed chances might come back to haunt the Lions.
But then you remembered Orlando City SC‘s flawless record in penalty shootouts.
Before the Dynamo game, the Lions had won all seven penalty shootouts they’ve been involved in since joining MLS in 2015.
They emphatically took this tally to eight, staying perfect from 12 yards with Ercan Kara, Rafael Santos, Robin Jansson, Antônio Carlos, and Facundo Torres all remaining ice cool – despite the intense heat – to win the shootout.
With Pedro Gallese saving the very first spot kick from veteran Mexico international Héctor Herrera, his miss proved the ultimate difference.
By 2023 Leagues Cup rules, Orlando City SC started their “South 2” group with two points – one for our full-time draw and an additional point for our subsequent penalty shootout triumph.
Looking forward to this Saturday, Mexican opponents Santos Laguna have gone 1-1-1 through the first three gameweeks of their Liga MX Apertura season.
Losing 4-5 on penalties to Houston Dynamo (1-1 at full-time) in their 2023 Leagues Cup opener on Tuesday, Pablo Repetto’s side have fewer things in their favour compared to Orlando City SC.
Already travel fatigued, Santos Laguna have had less rest and must now contend with Exploria Stadium’s typically boisterous atmosphere.
Santos Laguna vs Orlando City SC
Last head-to-head
- August 12, 2021: Orlando City SC 0 Santos Laguna 1 (2021 Leagues Cup)
Head-to-head stats
- It was 0-1 to Santos Laguna the last time the sides met (August 2021)
- Orlando have won 18 and lost 12 knockout fixtures since 2015*
(*Includes Tigres UANL defeat across two legs) - Both sides have scored in 12 of Orlando’s last 16 knockout fixtures*
(*Includes Tigres UANL defeat across two legs) - Santos Laguna have failed to score in 2 of their 3 Liga MX Apertura fixtures so far this season
- Harold Preciado is Santos Laguna’s top goalscorer this season with 4 goals in 4 appearances (Liga MX Apertura and 2023 Leagues Cup)
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Watching the game
Santos Laguna vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, July 30.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC‘s 2023 MLS regular season and 2023 Leagues Cup fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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