This Saturday, Orlando City SC play their second phase one match in the 2025 Leagues Cup. Hosting Atlas at Inter&Co Stadium, it’s already a must-win game. After our frustrating penalty shootout loss to Pumas UNAM, we have just one point. To keep our knockout hopes alive, we absolutely need to make it to four points.
Our tournament started strong with Rodrigo Schlegel’s early goal against Pumas, but a drop in attacking intensity and defensive errors proved costly. Next up is Atlas, led by former Atlanta United coach Gonzalo Pineda. Having lost 2-1 to Inter Miami, they’re still searching for their first point and will be pushing hard for a win. With only the top four teams from each league advancing, there’s little room for error. So this match will be crucial in deciding both teams’ Leagues Cup fate.
Last time out
Last night, Orlando City SC opened their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Pumas UNAM – eventually falling 4-3 on penalties at Inter&Co Stadium. The away side, but only in name, City took a fifth-minute lead through Rodrigo Schlegel who nodded home Martín Ojeda’s corner for his first goal since September 2024. However, that early breakthrough proved to be Orlando’s only shot on target all night. A lack of attacking rhythm and a second-half drop-off allowed Pumas to grow into the game, and they found a deserved equaliser on 80 minutes. It was former Houston Dynamo man Coco Carrasquilla who levelled the game, finishing off a sharp give-and-go to send the match to penalties. Frustratingly, it was the third straight game at Inter&Co Stadium where the Lions took a 1-0 lead but didn’t win. Although Pedro Gallese made an early stop in the shootout, misses from Eduard Atuesta and César Araújo proved costly – with Carrasquilla converting the decisive penalty to hand Pumas the extra point. It was a disappointing collapse, but Orlando still have everything to play for. That said, not winning our first game means it’s already mighty tough to reach the knockout stage.
What’s at stake this time?
Sure, one point is on the board, but it wasn’t the start Orlando City SC were hoping for in the 2025 Leagues Cup. With only eight teams advancing to the quarter-finals – four from MLS and four from Liga MX – the margin for error is razor-thin. Yesterday’s penalty shootout loss to Pumas UNAM means the pressure is firmly on heading into game two against Atlas, where nothing less than a win may do. Atlas currently sit pointless after a 2-1 loss at Inter Miami on Thursday night. Despite Rivaldo Lozano cancelling out Telasco Segovia’s opener with an 80th minute equaliser, Marcelo Weigandt struck the winner deep into stoppage time (90+6’). Clearly offside, the goal was allowed to stand, with VAR overturning Juan Gabriel Calderón’s initial call. How convenient. 🤔 Meanwhile, cynicism around Oscar Pareja’s tactics is growing, especially after Kyle Smith replaced Marco Pašalić on 70 minutes against Pumas. Bringing Smith on felt negative, continuing a familiar strategy of sitting on a 1-0 lead at home. But this has now backfired in our last three straight games at Inter&Co Stadium! Granted, the mid-season grind has been relentless, but many supporters are now fed up with hanging on to narrow leads. For me, it’s time for a fresh approach if we truly want to advance.
Opposition danger men
🇵🇾 Diego González (1 goal, 2 assists – 2025 Liga MX Apertura)
🇲🇽 Eduardo Aguirre (1 goal, 1 assist – 2025 Liga MX Apertura)
🇲🇪 Uros Djurdjevic (1 goal, 0 assists – 2025 Liga MX Apertura)
New opposition faces
🇲🇽 Jorge Rodríguez (Toluca)
🇧🇷 Gustavo Ferrareis (Puebla)
🇪🇸 Róber Pier (Sporting Gijón)
🇲🇽 Alfonso González (Monterrey)
Injuries
🇵🇪 Wilder Cartagena (right leg) – SEI
🇫🇷 Joran Gerbet (thigh) – out
🇺🇸 Duncan McGuire (shoulder) – out
🇯🇵 Yutaro Tsukada (knee) – SEI
*SEI – Season-Ending Injury List (Unavailable)
Suspensions
None
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Orlando City SC vs Atlas
Head-to-head stats
- This is the first time the clubs have faced each other
- Orlando have faced Mexican opposition 9 times in competitive matches – Orlando 1, Draws 6, Liga MX 2
- Orlando have surrendered a 1-0 lead in their last 3 consecutive fixtures at home
- Martín Ojeda has scored or assisted in Orlando’s last 11 fixtures (5 goals, 10 assists)
- Atlas have gone 1-1-1 so far this 2025 Liga MX Apertura season
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Watching the game
Orlando City SC vs Atlas will be shown live on Apple TV at 23:00 (GMT) on Saturday, August 2.
Remember, UK supporters can watch all of Orlando City SC’s 2025 Leagues Cup fixtures by subscribing to Apple TV’s “MLS Season Pass”.
Subscribe now by clicking here.
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