Battling back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Charlotte FC, there were some positives to take. But also a nagging feeling that we left two points behind. 😤 Yes, we rallied late on – but in a game we largely controlled, a draw doesn’t cut it if we’re serious about breaking into the top four of the Eastern Conference.
Now back at Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando City SC face bottom-of-the-table CF Montréal. And it’s a game we simply have to win! With fifth-placed Inter Miami now one point above us – and holding THREE games in hand – we can’t afford to slip up. Marco Donadel’s side are leaking goals and low on confidence after last weekend’s 1-4 home defeat to The Herons. But with Pedro Gallese and Robin Jansson suspended, we’ll have to get the job done without two of our most experienced leaders.
Last time out
Last Saturday, Orlando City SC battled back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw away at Charlotte FC. Trailing 2-0 with less than 25 minutes to play, the Lions showed real fight and resilience. Pep Biel had opened the scoring for Charlotte late in the first-half before Bill Tuiloma doubled the lead from a set piece. But Ramiro Enrique tapped home from close range on 69 minutes to spark the comeback. And just 11 minutes later, Marco Pašalić struck his 10th of the season with a composed finish. Martín Ojeda provided two assists on the night, becoming the third player in club history to record at least 50 goal contributions, joining Facundo Torres (57) and Nani (51). Despite controlling the game with 67% possession, 15 shots to 11, and more passes and corners, it was a point that could’ve been three. Enrique and Pašalić both had late chances to win it, while Charlotte’s Liel Abada also threatened on the break. Still, the comeback keeps Orlando unbeaten in three straight away games (2-1-0), even if it’s now two games without a win overall.
Last head-to-head
On April 19, Orlando City SC made it three 0-0’s in a row, drawing 0-0 with with CF Montréal at Stade Saputo. Extending our unbeaten run to six matches (2-4-0), the Lions controlled large spells but frustratingly lacked the cutting edge. With Luis Muriel, Iván Angulo, and Marco Pašalić all going close, Rafael Santos’ harsh second yellow on 76 minutes mirrored Rodrigo Schlegel’s dismissal the week prior. This forced City to dig in late. Anger followed after Luis Muriel appeared to be brought down for a clear penalty – but no call or review came. Honestly, referee Fotis Bazakos’ performance left much to be desired, leaving Oscar Pareja visibly bemused and frustrated in his post-match press conference. On the night, it really felt like we were playing 12 men! That said, Pedro Gallese was sharp, making seven saves, with Dante Sealy and Caden Clark particularly dangerous for the hosts. With Zakaria Taifi also making his MLS debut late on, we ultimately had to settle for another gritty point on the road.
What’s at stake this time?
Orlando City SC have now slipped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, with 34 points from 21 games. Fifth-placed Inter Miami are now one point ahead with THREE games in hand after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, so the pressure is building! Yes, we fought back from 2-0 down at Charlotte, but drawing 2-2 with a tenth-placed side we dominated doesn’t help our cause. If we truly want to challenge the top four, that’s the kind of game we need to be winning. This Saturday, the stakes are even higher. CF Montréal sit rock bottom of the East on 17 points, and have won only three league games all year. Marco Donadel’s side were thumped 1-4 at home by Inter Miami last weekend, despite scoring early. So this is a must-win game for the Lions. Anything less than three points simply won’t do – especially at home. We face Montréal without Pedro Gallese and Robin Jansson who are both suspended. But Alex Freeman is back after starting all 6 games for the USMNT at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Lastly, it’ll be interesting to see if Oscar Pareja benches Iván Angulo again, as he did in Charlotte. Usually a regular starter under Papi, the winger really needs to improve on his current 0 goals and 3 assists in 2025.
Opposition danger men
🇩🇪 Prince Owusu (8 goals, 2 assists – 2025 MLS)
🇹🇹 Dante Sealy (2 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
🇨🇦 Victor Loturi (2 goals, 1 assist – 2025 MLS)
New opposition faces
🇬🇹 Olger Escobar (New England Revolution II)
🇨🇱 Thomas Gillier (on loan from Bologna)
Injuries
🇵🇪 Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
🇫🇷 Joran Gerbet (thigh) – out
🇺🇸 Duncan McGuire (shoulder) – out
🇯🇵 Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
🇺🇸 Jalen Neal (ankle) – out
🇨🇦 Samuel Piette (illness) – questionable
🇦🇱 Giacomo Vrioni (elbow) – questionable
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
🇵🇪 Pedro Gallese – one game (yellow card accumulation)
🇸🇪 Robin Jansson – one game (yellow card accumulation)
International returnees
🇺🇸 Alex Freeman (USMNT)
🇬🇹 Olger Escobar (Guatemala)
🇨🇦 Joel Waterman (Canada)
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Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal
Last 3 head-to-heads
- February 24, 2024: Orlando City SC 0 CF Montréal 0 (MLS)
- April 20, 2024: CF Montréal 2 Orlando City SC 2 (MLS)
- April 19, 2025: CF Montréal 0 Orlando City SC 0 (MLS)
2015/25 head-to-head stats
- It was 0-0 the last time the sides met (April 2025)
- Played Montréal 25 times in MLS – Orlando 9, Draws 6, Montréal 10
- The last 3 MLS head-to-heads have all ended in draws
- Orlando have conceded at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 MLS fixtures
- Prince Owusu has scored in 3 of Montréal’s last 4 MLS fixtures (4 goals)
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal will be shown live on Apple TV at 00:30 (GMT) on Sunday, July 13.
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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