Orlando City SC ground out a gutsy 0-1 win at Colorado Rapids last time out, halting a mini slide and reminding the league that we’re not going away. Pedro Gallese was immense between the sticks, while Martín Ojeda’s strike proved the difference in a game that tested every ounce of our resilience.
With a well-earned breather since June 14, the Lions head west again to face St. Louis CITY SC. It’s our first-ever visit to Energizer Park, where over 22,000 fans pack the venue week in, week out. St. Louis currently sit fourteenth in the West, so this is another big opportunity to grab all three points. The race at the top of the East is tight, and we’re right in the mix. So let’s keep that pressure on!
Last time out
On June 15, Orlando City SC bounced back from successive MLS defeats. We rallied to a hard-fought 0-1 win over Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with Oscar Pareja defeating his former employers. In testing conditions at altitude, Pedro Gallese produced a stellar display. His key saves earned him his eighth clean sheet of the season – matching his 2024 season total. With César Araújo returning from suspension, Martín Ojeda scored the decisive goal on 24 minutes. Tincho rifled a powerful shot beyond Nico Hansen for his ninth of the campaign. The Lions had started brightly, hitting the woodwork through Marco Pašalić. But we struggled for control after the break as Colorado applied relentless pressure. Gallese’s heroics, alongside vital defensive interventions from Robin Jansson and Rodrigo Schlegel, helped City withstand a late Rapids barrage at a mile high.
Last head-to-head
On August 26, 2023, Orlando City SC sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Western Conference leaders St. Louis CITY SC in the clubs’ first-ever meeting. Bright and aggressive, the Lions took a deserved lead early in the second-half. For our opener, Dagur Dan Thórhallsson teed up Facundo Torres for his ninth goal of the MLS season. But St. Louis equalised on 79 minutes through Rasmus Alm, with VAR controversially allowing the goal to stand after a lengthy review. Undeterred, Orlando pushed on and were rewarded late on in stoppage time. With Rafael Santos’ shot striking Anthony Markanich’s hand, VAR intervened again. And Torres calmly converted the resulting penalty, making it 10 goals for the season and five from five on spot kicks. Indiana Vassilev later hit the post before Jake Nerwinski saw red on 101 minutes. The statement victory stretched City’s home unbeaten run to eight games in MLS play.
What’s at stake this time?
After a solid bounce-back win in Gameweek 20, Orlando City SC have climbed from seventh to fifth in the East. Right now, the table is ever so tight at the top! With no fixture since June 14, we’ve had ample time to rest and fine-tune preparations for this Missouri road trip. Just three points behind FC Cincinnati in second, it’s crucial we stay in touching distance. And with leaders Philadelphia Union only seven points ahead – having also played 18 games like us – we’re far from out of the 2025 Supporters’ Shield race too. Especially with Vancouver Whitecaps only on 35 points in the West. Oscar Pareja will need to reshuffle at the back after Rodrigo Schlegel’s yellow card at Colorado ruled him out through suspension. Expect David Brekalo to slide across to centre back, with Kyle Smith slotting in at left back. This is our first-ever visit to St. Louis CITY SC – a club still pulling 22,000+ home crowds in just their third MLS campaign. St. Louis have gone 2-4-3 at Energizer Park so far this season. They salvaged a 3-3 draw last time out, thanks to João Klauss’ 95th minute equaliser against LA Galaxy. The goal sealed St. Louis’ first-ever MLS hat-trick, with Klauss back to his best under English interim boss David Critchley (1-1-1 so far). Critchley has steadied the ship since Olof Mellberg’s dismissal back on May 27.
Opposition danger men
🇧🇷 João Klauss (5 goals, 0 assists – 2025 MLS)
🇩🇪 Cedric Teuchert (3 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
🇩🇪 Marcel Hartel (2 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
New opposition faces
🏴 David Critchley (interim head coach)
🇺🇸 Mykhi Joyner (St. Louis CITY 2)
🇩🇪 Timo Baumgartl (Schalke 04)
🇳🇴 Conrad Wallem (on loan from Slavia Prague)
🇺🇸 Alfredo Morales (San Jose Earthquakes)
🇺🇸 Joey Zalinsky (2025 MLS SuperDraft)
🇵🇹 Xande Silva (Atlanta United)
Injuries
🇸🇪 Rasmus Alm (hip) – out
🇺🇸 Chris Durkin (knee) – out
🇺🇸 Henry Kessler (hamstring) – out
🇩🇪 Eduard Löwen (hamstring) – out
🇸🇪 Joakim Nilsson (knee) – out
🇨🇿 Tomáš Ostrák (lower body) – out
🇵🇪 Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
🇫🇷 Joran Gerbet (thigh) – questionable
🇺🇸 Duncan McGuire (shoulder) – out
🇯🇵 Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
🇦🇷 Rodrigo Schlegel – one game (yellow card accumulation)
International call-ups
🇺🇸 Alex Freeman (USMNT) – 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
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St. Louis CITY SC vs Orlando City SC
Last head-to-head
- August 26, 2023: Orlando City SC 2 St. Louis CITY SC 1 (MLS)
Head-to-head stats
- It was 2-1 to Orlando the last time the sides met (August 2023)
- Played St. Louis once in MLS – Orlando 1, Draws 0, St. Louis 0
- St. Louis have failed to win 13 of their last 14 MLS fixtures
- João Klauss scored a hat-trick last time out against LA Galaxy (3-3)
- Orlando have only lost 1 of their last 8 away fixtures in MLS, going 3-4-1
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Watching the game
St. Louis CITY SC vs Orlando City SC will be shown live on Apple TV at 01:30 (GMT) on Thursday, June 26.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC’s 2025 MLS regular season fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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