Month: August 2025

STATS PREVIEW: LA Galaxy vs Orlando City SC – 31.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, DIDN’T THEY? 🤬😤 Orlando City SC were kicked to the curb in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. Ultimately, we were robbed of a Leagues Cup Final berth by decisions that only went one way. Just two games ago, we had a chance to reach third place in the East and the 2025 Leagues Cup Final. With both chances missed, we’re now clinging on to salvage at least a 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup spot in the Third Place Match. The game can be cruel and unrelenting, but we need to keep going. As Ricardo Moreira tweeted after our semi-final heartbreak: “Tomorrow is day one again.”

It’s a brutal turnaround, too. Having flown cross-country to Los Angeles on August 20, we’re back in Carson for the third time in 2025. This time not for silverware, but survival of sorts. A third place finish still gets us into continental football, and that has to be the focus. LA Galaxy may be a mess in MLS – rock bottom, with the worst title defence in league history. But don’t think for a second they won’t throw everything at this! Continue reading →

Orlando City SC to release MLS Archive Collection third kit in 2026

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

A die-hard Orlando City SC supporter and devoted jersey collector, I’ve been envious seeing 15 other clubs unveil stunning MLS Archive Collection third kits over the past two seasons. That’s why today’s news from FootyHeadlines.com is especially exciting! Indeed, Orlando are among eight teams set to receive an Adidas MLS Archive Collection third kit in 2026.

Aside from special edition Parley, PRIMEBLUE, and One Planet shirts worn on one-off, cause-related occasions, 2026 will be the first time City have ever had an official third kit in Major League Soccer. And surely, it has to be red?

Today’s unofficial announcement builds on Adidas’ revival of their “Freekick” magazine earlier this summer, which coincided with the 2025 MLS Archive Collection launch. That launch saw 10 additional clubs join the program after the inaugural 2024 rollout, when five teams unveiled third kits. The “Freekick” issue also revealed that eight more MLS sides would follow in 2026 – and now we know Orlando are one of them. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Inter Miami vs Orlando City SC – 27.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

LET’S REACH A FINAL!! 😬💪🏽 After a rotated Orlando City SC side fell 5-1 at Nashville SC, focus now shifts to the biggest Sunshine Clásico yet! If we win at Chase Stadium this Wednesday, we’d not only reach our first-ever Leagues Cup Final. We’d qualify for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup too! Already sweeping Inter Miami (0-3 and 4-1) this MLS regular season, Lionel Messi is back from injury and fired up to make amends.

Lose, and we’ll face LA Galaxy or Seattle Sounders in the Third Place Match with Champions Cup qualification still at stake. Martín Ojeda is fresh after being rested in Nashville. And Miami slayer Luis Muriel is available, with his one-game suspension not carrying over into Leagues Cup. Just 180 minutes separate City from a second MLS-era trophy, so let’s rise to the challenge! Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC – 23.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

ALL HAIL EL PULPO!! 🐙🧤 Orlando City SC head into Saturday’s six-pointer against Nashville SC riding high, having qualified for the 2025 Leagues Cup semi-finals with a 0-0 (5-6 on penalties) win over Toluca in Carson, California. Booking a semi-final with Inter Miami at Chase Stadium, we’re now just 90 minutes away from clinching a place in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Now back in MLS action, we have a golden chance to leapfrog Nashville into third place in the East. B. J. Callaghan’s side come into this one flat after three consecutive MLS defeats. But the Music City side are really strong at home (9-3-1). Something has to give in Tennessee, and with Papi’s men hitting their late-season stride, this showdown could prove pivotal in shaping the Eastern Conference playoff race. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Toluca vs Orlando City SC – 20.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

HOW ABOUT THAT RAIN DELAY? 😮⛈️ Huge credit if you stuck it out past midnight to see Orlando City SC beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1. It definitely wasn’t our best game. But the Lions turned it on after the break with The Wall staying loud despite the marathon wait.

Oscar Pareja’s 100th career win for City, we’re now unbeaten in 7 straight across all competitions (6-1-0). And, we’re just 5 points off new Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati (52). Peaking at the perfect time, we’re back in the Supporters’ Shield hunt too, trailing San Diego FC (52) by 5 points also. Now attention turns to Carson, California, where a 2025 Leagues Cup semi-final spot is on the line against Toluca. Exciting times for Orlando, indeed! Continue reading →

Twitter reacts to… Colorado Rapids acquiring Rafael Santos from Orlando City SC

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando City SC traded Rafael Santos to Colorado Rapids today in exchange for $125,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM). The Lions could also receive up to an additional $200,000 in GAM if certain performance-based incentives are met, while retaining a sell-on percentage should Rapids transfer Santos in the future.

Joining from Cruzeiro ahead of the 2023 campaign, Rafael Santos quickly established himself as Orlando City SC’s first choice left back, holding the role for two full seasons. This year, however, he lost his starting spot to David Brekalo, and with the recent arrival of Adrián Marín from Braga, the Brazilian has now been allowed to seek a new challenge.

Overall, Santos made 96 appearances (67 starts) for City across all competitions, scoring twice and providing 10 assists. Renowned for his explosive pace and marauding runs down the left flank, we wish Santos all the very best at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Sporting Kansas City – 16.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

FLORIDA IS PURPLE!!! 😈😤 But you knew that already! Orlando City SC enter Saturday’s clash with Sporting Kansas City fresh off a statement 4-1 demolition of Inter Miami. We may be up to fourth, but the East is as tight as a packed Wall on derby day – so every point from here is massive!

The goals are flowing, Martín Ojeda is in MVP form, and Luis Muriel has his mojo back – so things bode well. Opponents Sporting Kansas City are winless in four, but we’ve stumbled against beatable sides before. If we maintain our current form though, there’s every reason to believe we can secure a top four home playoff spot. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami – 10.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

WAS I DREAMING? 🤩 A first-half hat-trick by Luis Muriel? 😮 Incredible! Orlando City SC head into Sunday’s Sunshine Clásico against Inter Miami riding high, having qualified for the 2025 Leagues Cup knockout stage with a 5-1 win over Necaxa. By finishing fourth in the MLS table, we’ve now set up a quarter-final with Toluca at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

Now back in MLS action, we’re out to protect our unbeaten home record against Miami (3-4-0). A win here would not only give us huge momentum, but secure a famous season sweep. Our legs may be tired from a packed schedule. But hopefully, adrenaline can carry us past the South Florida team we all love to beat! Lionel Messi’s absence gives us a psychological boost – but let’s not pretend this will be easy. Continue reading →

Who is new Orlando City SC signing Adrián Marín?

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

After Ricardo Moreira teased a new arrival with his best Fabrizio Romano impression, Orlando City SC have now officially announced the signing of Adrián Marín from Braga.

The experienced Spanish left back has joined the Lions through 2026, with a club option for 2027, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.

After Tyrese Spicer joined last Friday, Marín becomes City’s second new signing of the MLS Secondary Transfer Window. The 28-year-old has been handed the #21 jersey at Inter&Co Stadium – last worn by Júnior Urso in 2023. Continue reading →

STATS PREVIEW: Orlando City SC vs Necaxa – 06.08.2025

/ Taylor Williams / Leave a comment

Embed from Getty Images

Orlando City SC head into their third phase one match of the 2025 Leagues Cup full of confidence. A hard-fought game two win over Atlas (3-1) gave us a much-needed boost and keeps our qualification hopes alive! 💪🏽 But our fate isn’t fully in our hands and we still need favourable results elsewhere.

After eliminating Atlas, we now face Necaxa – a side equally hungry for a win in this tightly contested phase one. With both sides still fighting for a knockout spot, every point and goal carries extra weight. Tensions will be high, but Orlando can count on key players like Robin Jansson and Martín Ojeda, who remain available despite some late fracas against Atlas. This is a must-win, make-or-break match, so get ready for an intense battle! Continue reading →