Orlando City SC are starting to click into gear again! A blistering first-half at St. Louis CITY SC set the tone for a 2-4 road win, with Ramiro Enrique and Marco Pašalić each striking twice in a big performance. That’s now back-to-back away victories for the Lions – and with confidence building fast, the focus shifts to another huge test.
FC Cincinnati roll into Inter&Co Stadium sitting just three points above us in the Eastern Conference. This showdown has all the ingredients for a mid-season classic – but with barely any recovery time since Wednesday’s win, and Central Florida’s summer heat in full swing, we’ll need grit and resilience. The East is tightening up, and this is a golden opportunity to climb the standings and crash the top three.
Last time out
Last night, Orlando City SC secured their second consecutive victory on the road. In sweltering conditions at Energizer Park, the Lions saw off St. Louis City SC 2-4, with Ramiro Enrique and Marco Pašalić both bagging clinical braces. Dominant from the off, City raced into a 0-3 lead inside 22 minutes. Enrique redirected Martín Ojeda’s pinpoint cross to open the scoring before Pašalić’s powerful drive doubled our advantage. A high press led to Enrique’s second, but wastefulness in front of goal and sloppy defending let St. Louis back in. Goals from Simon Becher and João Klauss before the break made it 2-3, and City had to dig in after half-time. With Rodrigo Schlegel suspended and new MLS All-Star Alex Freeman away on international duty, Pedro Gallese and our back line stood firm. Despite missed chances – including Enrique being denied a hat-trick – Oscar Pareja’s side held their nerve to secure an important road win in extreme heat and humidity. There was also a hat-trick of assists for Eduard Atuesta who continues to shine in central midfield.
Last head-to-head
On October 5, 2024, Orlando City SC wrapped up their road schedule with a 1-3 win at FC Cincinnati, locking in a top-four Eastern Conference finish before the international break. Ramiro Enrique struck early, turning in Kyle Smith’s cross for his seventh goal in 12 games. Despite Luciano Acosta’s clever equaliser just before half-time, Orlando remained composed. Starting for the first time since June, Luis Muriel helped set up Iván Angulo’s go-ahead strike on 66 minutes, which slipped through Roman Celentano’s hands. Just six minutes later, Enrique pounced on a defensive error to seal his brace and the result. Oscar Pareja’s bunker-and-counter blueprint frustrated Cincy all evening, while Pedro Gallese made two vital saves late on to preserve our two-goal cushion. Ultimately, this was City’s 10th win in 13 MLS games, capping a brilliant late-season surge.
What’s at stake this time?
Following Wednesday’s road win in St. Louis, Orlando City SC remain fifth in the East. But things are tightening up. Just one point separates us from fourth-placed Columbus Crew, while second-placed FC Cincinnati are only three points ahead – having played the same number of games (19). With Philadelphia Union stretching their lead at the top to seven points after last night’s 0-1 win at Chicago Fire, this high-stakes ‘six pointer’ is a golden chance to reel in a direct rival, crash the top three, and keep the 2025 Supporters’ Shield race alive. Back-to-back away wins mean we’re heading in with momentum – but with such a short turnaround and Florida’s summer heat to contend with, fatigue could play a role. FC Cincinnati will be feeling confident too. Pat Noonan’s side have bounced back from a four-game wobble, winning their last two – most recently a convincing 1-3 victory at CF Montréal. No question, they remain one of the toughest teams in the East. Rodrigo Schlegel is available again after serving his suspension midweek. Meanwhile, young forward Justin Ellis – who signed a short-term loan deal ahead of the St. Louis trip – may make the squad again in Duncan McGuire’s absence, with Big Dunc now confirmed to be out for 3-4 months.
Opposition danger men
🇹🇬 Kévin Denkey (11 goals, 0 assists – 2025 MLS)
🇧🇷 Evander (9 goals, 7 assists – 2025 MLS)
🇺🇸 Gerardo Valenzuela (4 goals, 0 assists – 2025 MLS)
New opposition faces
🇷🇴 Ștefan Chirilă (FC Cincinnati 2)
🇹🇬 Kévin Denkey (Cercle Brugge)
🇨🇲 Tah Brian Anunga (Nashville SC)
🇵🇾 Gilberto Flores (Libertad)
🇩🇰 Lukas Engel (on loan from Middlesbrough)
🇧🇷 Evander (Portland Timbers)
🇦🇺 Brad Smith (Houston Dynamo)
🇸🇱 Kei Kamara (free agent)
Injuries
🇵🇪 Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
🇫🇷 Joran Gerbet (thigh) – out
🇺🇸 Duncan McGuire (shoulder) – out
🇯🇵 Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
🇺🇸 Nick Hagglund (chest) – out
🇯🇵 Yuya Kubo (ankle) – out
🇳🇬 Obinna Nwobodo (leg) – out
🇦🇷 Luca Orellano (ankle) – questionable
🇧🇷 Sergio Santos (leg) – out
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
None
International call-ups
🇺🇸 Alex Freeman (USMNT) – 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
🇺🇸 Miles Robinson (USMNT) – 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup
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Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati
Last 3 head-to-heads
- September 2, 2023: FC Cincinnati 0 Orlando City SC 1 (MLS)
- May 4, 2024: Orlando City SC 0 FC Cincinnati 1 (MLS)
- October 5, 2024: FC Cincinnati 1 Orlando City SC 3 (MLS)
2019/24 head-to-head stats
- It was 1-3 to Orlando the last time the sides met (October 2024)
- Played Cincinnati 11 times in MLS – Orlando 5, Draws 3, Cincinnati 3
- Five of the last 7 MLS head-to-heads have been separated by ONE goal, including four 0-1 / 1-0 results
- Orlando have taken the lead in 7 of their last 8 MLS fixtures
- Kévin Denkey has scored in 3 of Cincinnati’s last 4 MLS fixtures (3 goals)
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, June 29.
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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