The good, the bad, and the ugly: Orlando City SC’s 2025 season – From hope to heartbreak

/ Taylor Williams

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⚠️ Warning: this blog comes with a disclaimer. ⚠️ Before you read any further, be warned – there’s a high probability you might upset yourself again as we delve into Orlando City SC’s 3-1 defeat at Chicago Fire in the 2025 MLS Wild Card match. Maybe, like me, you were already resigned to defeat – a feeling so alien in the Oscar Pareja era. How quickly times have changed! But it’s time for a final word on 2025 – a strange season that promised so much but ultimately delivered so little. When you rely on the same tactics, you often get the same results, and many supporters are now ready to call time on Pareja’s six years in purple.

I didn’t watch the game live – which is unlike me for such a pivotal game – but when I caught the eight-minute MLS highlights this morning, all I saw was wave after wave of Chicago Fire attacks. With last night’s win, Fire sealed their FIRST MLS Cup Playoffs appearance since 2017 – EIGHT years ago! While Alex Freeman, Martín Ojeda, and Marco Pašalić can hold their heads high this year, their individual contributions have sadly counted for nothing.

When the Wilf family completed their takeover in 2021, the aim was trophies. We got one in 2022, of course, but since then, MLS Cup has remained elusive. Moving away from signing international superstars like Kaká and Nani, the club has leaned on a low-risk, high-ceiling transfer strategy – a hallmark of Ricardo Moreira’s approach. Yet with the recent news that Orlando are attempting to lure Richarlison to Central Florida, perhaps it’s time to rethink everything.

Bouncing back will be hard though. When you perform below expectations, your best players become targets. Alex Freeman is almost certain to move on this winter and Borussia Mönchengladbach are “interested” in Marco Pašalić who “would like to return to Europe”. You have to imagine that suitors will come circling for our MVP Martín Ojeda too – heaven forbid!

This blog is our full autopsy of 2025 – so buckle up for a bumpy ride as we put in the final word on a season that quickly swung from hope to heartbreak.

2025 MLS Wild Card match (East) – How it went down:

Last night, Orlando City SC’s 2025 season ended abruptly – in a way none of us wanted, but perhaps expected. At SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, the Lions faced Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference Wild Card match and somehow managed to turn a promising season into one of sheer frustration and heartbreak. From the opening whistle, Orlando seemed frozen when it mattered most. While a scoreless first-half offered a fleeting sense of hope, the second-half quickly laid bare all the weaknesses and frailties that have plagued us in the closing stretch of the season.

Brian Gutierrez broke the deadlock early in the second-half (1-0), finishing a move that Orlando couldn’t contain. Less than ten minutes later, Hugo Cuypers was our nemesis yet again, doubling Chicago’s advantage in a sequence that perfectly illustrated the miscommunication and errors that have crept into our play. A poor back pass from César Araújo near Pedro Gallese allowed Cuypers to deflect the clearance into our net (2-0). Honestly, when you add this latest gaffe to the goals Gallese inexplicably conceded at Toronto FC on Decision Day, it perfectly sums up how things have gone lately. Cuypers’ second goal (3-0) effectively put the game out of reach, leaving Orlando in damage control. Tyrese Spicer’s late strike (3-1) spoiled the shutout, but it did little to hide the systemic collapse that has defined our final five matches of 2025.

Oscar Pareja spoke afterwards with the kind of candour only a disappointed professional can muster. “Frustrating and disappointed just to end up losing in this first game of the playoffs”, he admitted. “And we have pain, knowing that we could have done much better, but probably the second-half was an image of what happened in the last few games. Chicago in the second-half was much better and created those three goals.”

Despite fielding a strong starting lineup – Pedro Gallese, Alex Freeman, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, David Brekalo, César Araújo, Eduard Atuesta, Marco Pašalić, Iván Angulo, Martín Ojeda, Duncan McGuire – Orlando never looked cohesive. The first-half was almost entirely dominated by Chicago, with our attacking players struggling to link up. Our normally sharp chemistry unravelled under pressure, right before our eyes. The Lions were fortunate to reach half-time still level, having mustered just a single half-chance – a Schlegel header from Atuesta’s 40-yard set piece that drifted harmlessly wide.

The second-half was a bitter reflection of Orlando’s late-season collapse. Chicago dominated possession, forced turnovers, and punished every defensive mistake. We appeared lethargic and disjointed, incapable of mounting any sustained attack. Gutierrez’s opener was a stark warning, Cuypers’ deflected strike was a crushing indictment, and his second goal ruthlessly ended a season that had promised so much. Though Spicer netted a well-taken consolation on 89 minutes, it was far too little, far too late.

Orlando City SC finished the match with 47.6% possession, 7 shots (4 on target), and an 85.2% pass accuracy. By contrast, Chicago unleashed 25 shots (9 on target) and dominated the game’s rhythm from start to finish. While the numbers tell part of the story, they cannot capture the raw frustration radiating from the City touchline and our supporters, powerlessly watching on from afar.

The good, the bad, and the ugly: Orlando City SC’s 2025 season

Before we get into the bad and the ugly of 2025, let’s acknowledge the good from a season that, at times, looked incredibly promising. By the final week of May, Orlando City SC sat third in the Eastern Conference – so what the hell went wrong from there? 🤔 What makes Orlando’s collapse so baffling is that several players delivered outstanding individual performances this year. Most notably Alex Freeman, Martín Ojeda, and Marco Pašalić – with both Freeman and Pašalić earning 2025 MLS All-Star honours in the summer.

The good

Martín Ojeda

Filling Facundo Torres’ shoes as club talisman was no small task – but Ojeda embraced it with style. Wearing the #10 jersey in 2025, he quickly became Orlando City SC’s driving force. From opening his account in a 4–2 win over Toronto FC to scoring a hat-trick against New England Revolution (3-3) – the club’s first in a decade – Ojeda’s influence was immediate and profound. He followed that with multiple braces, including a stunning volley against Necaxa in the Leagues Cup. Remarkably, he set a new club record with 12 consecutive MLS matches featuring a goal or assist. By September, Ojeda became the first player in club history to record 30 goal contributions in a single MLS season, surpassing Torres in career goal involvement. Beyond the numbers, his vision, composure, and leadership made him indispensable, providing stability and brilliance through a challenging campaign. Ojeda ended the 2025 MLS regular season with 16 goals and 15 assists across 2,687 minutes of action.

Alex Freeman

2025 was Freeman’s breakout year. After just 10 senior MLS minutes prior, he quickly established himself as Orlando City SC’s first choice right back. Scoring and assisting early in the season, Freeman’s performances earned him MLS Team of the Matchday recognition, a first USMNT call-up, and then selection for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He became the youngest player to start six consecutive matches in the tournament, showcasing his explosive pace, defensive intelligence, and attacking instincts. Freeman’s rapid rise continued with 2025 MLS All-Star selection, where he contributed in skill challenges and came off the bench in the 3–1 victory over Liga MX. Back in MLS, key late goals against D.C. United and FC Cincinnati cemented his status as the club’s most successful Homegrown Player to date. Freeman’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass in resilience, consistency, and talent, firmly establishing him as one of MLS’s brightest young stars. Freeman ended the 2025 MLS regular season with 6 goals and 3 assists across 2,451 minutes of action.

Marco Pašalić

Few predicted the impact Marco Pašalić would have in 2025. Signed from HNK Rijeka, the former Borussia Dortmund man immediately showcased his “weapon” of a left foot, scoring a brace on his debut despite a 2–4 loss to Philadelphia Union. He continued to impress with a stunner against D.C. United and a brace at St. Louis CITY SC, earning recognition from fans and the league alike. His sublime dipping strike against D.C. is clearly one of our Goals of the Season! – probably only bettered by Ojeda’s Necaxa volley. Pašalić’s technical skill, composure, and vision quickly made him a key attacking outlet, more than making up for the void left by Facundo Torres. His selection for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game – combined with consistent goalscoring – make him one of Orlando’s best signings of the decade. City fans everywhere are hoping his MLS stint isn’t just a stepping stone, but a lasting chapter in the Lions’ history. Pašalić ended the 2025 MLS regular season with 12 goals and 5 assists across 2,593 minutes of action.

League double over Inter Miami

Orlando City SC enjoyed a first-ever MLS double over Inter Miami in 2025, showcasing attacking flair, defensive grit, and tactical discipline. The first came on ‘Sunday Night Soccer’ in Fort Lauderdale on May 18, where City silenced a Lionel Messi-led side with a commanding 0-3 victory. Luis Muriel, Marco Pašalić, and Dagur Dan Thórhallsson scored, Pedro Gallese made key saves, and Robin Jansson and Rodrigo Schlegel defended brilliantly, snapping Miami’s 24-game home scoring streak. On August 10, City completed the season sweep at Inter&Co Stadium with a 4-1 triumph in front of 25,046 fans. All three Designated Players scored (Muriel twice, Ojeda, and Pašalić once), Alex Freeman notched an assist, and Pedro Gallese denied Luis Suárez with a spectacular save. As an extra cherry on top, Martín Ojeda extended his goal contribution streak to 11 consecutive MLS matches (14 across all competitions). In one of MLS’s fastest-growing rivalries, we made a statement with two of the most complete performances of the season.

Mid-season signing of Tyrese Spicer

I REALLY like what I’ve seen from Tyrese Spicer since his August 1 transfer from Toronto FC. A really shrewd signing, I think he will be a vital player for us next year. Performing well for both Orlando and Trinidad and Tobago, Spicer is our new Kevin Molino – and I’m here for it!

The bad

Passing up 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup qualification

In 2024, I chose to boycott the Leagues Cup, frustrated by the impact it had on the Open Cup. Any competition that changes its rules each year isn’t a serious competition in my book. This year, with Orlando back in the Open Cup, I was happy to give the Leagues Cup another chance – and so was the team. The Lions fought their way to the Third Place Match with memorable wins over Atlas, Necaxa, and Toluca, before the Inter Miami circus unfolded. But looking back, our fatigued roster gave so much to this competition that we ran out of steam at the worst possible moment. After two prior appearances in the CONCACAF Champions Cup (2023, 2024), it was super disappointing to see us fold against LA Galaxy – missing the chance to grow the club on the world stage.

Luis Muriel and Iván Angulo’s output

Fortunately, Martín Ojeda and Marco Pašalić shouldered most of the goalscoring burden for us this year. Despite getting into better physical shape and showing flashes of the player we expected to sign, Luis Muriel finished the 2025 MLS regular season with just 9 goals and 9 assists across 2,114 minutes. As Matt Doyle noted mid-season, Orlando aren’t getting true Designated Player value from him. By comparison, San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer recorded 19 goals and 19 assists, Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge notched 24 goals and 5 assists, and FC Cincinnati’s Evander posted 18 goals and 15 assists. These are numbers that Muriel simply can’t match. While a tireless and dependable performer up and down the left flank, Iván Angulo ended the year with zero goals and just 7 assists across 2,317 minutes. ZERO goals from a regular starting winger is simply not good enough, whichever way you paint it.

Ramiro Enrique’s exit

When Al-Kholood offered us a fee we couldn’t refuse, Ramiro Enrique departed AFTER the MLS Secondary Transfer Window had closed, leaving Orlando noticeably weaker. With Duncan McGuire failing to replicate the form that once drew Blackburn Rovers’ interest, Enrique was an underrated cog for the team, providing the tireless work and clinical finishing needed to bail the Lions out of tight games – especially with us not getting real DP value from Luis Muriel. Letting Enrique go without a proper replacement was frustrating, and the club will need to address the centre forward position in the off-season, ideally with a player of Richarlison’s calibre. Despite the Saudi Pro League being a weaker level, Enrique has already scored three goals for the unheralded Al-Kholood.

The ugly

Stale tactics (parking the bus)

Despite having arguably the strongest Orlando City SC roster in our MLS history, Oscar Pareja frequently relied on pragmatic, risk-averse tactics throughout 2025. While this approach has brought him success in the past, it too often saw the team retreat after taking the lead – even in matches at home. A clear example came on October 11 against Vancouver Whitecaps. After Dagur Dan Thórhallsson put Orlando ahead in the first-half, the team parked the bus, only to concede twice late on (1-2). Over the season, Orlando surrendered 13 points after the 80th minute alone. Had we held on in these games, we’d be sitting on 66 points, likely contending for the 2025 Supporters’ Shield. All in all, our failure to hold leads has been criminal this year.

2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup exit (and not handling pressure)

When it came to the moments that truly mattered, Orlando City SC consistently failed to deliver in 2025. We bottled the big occasions – plain and simple! The season’s first major disappointment came in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16, when Nashville SC eliminated us (2-3) on May 21. This was our first realistic shot at silverware gone. That was followed by a 2025 Leagues Cup exit at the hands of Inter Miami on August 27, compounded by Walter López’s controversial refereeing decisions (of course), denying us another trophy opportunity. Just days later, the Third Place Match against LA Galaxy ended in a limp performance, costing us qualification for the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Even on 2025 MLS Decision Day at Toronto FC, with a top-seven finish in our hands, Orlando struggled to overcome one of the league’s weakest attacks, conceding four goals in just 61 minutes. While Oscar Pareja recently spoke about his team’s ability to bounce back under pressure, this resilience escaped us in 2025. Pressure is a privilege – but when it mattered most, we couldn’t prove the doubters wrong.

Central midfield depth

Orlando City SC missed Wilder Cartagena badly in 2025. The Peruvian’s absence broke our fearsome midfield partnership with César Araújo, and while Eduard Atuesta added attacking spark and line-breaking passes, our midfield was overrun more than usual. I even flagged it early in my Excel spreadsheet evaluating squad depth. Our central midfield options were thin, and it showed. Joran Gerbet performed way above expectations, but the team leaned heavily on Atuesta and Araújo all season, leaving them burned out. With Colin Guske not ready, Kyle Smith was forced into central midfield on way too many occasions. Smith performed at times but he simply isn’t a midfielder. Relying on stopgap solutions in crucial moments exposed the squad’s limits and this must be addressed ahead of 2026 to remain competitive.

Pedro Gallese

What on Earth happened to Pedro Gallese in 2025? A club legend and stalwart, El Pulpo didn’t flex his tentacles with the consistency we’ve come to expect. His struggles were evident on Decision Day at Toronto FC, where he was caught flat-footed twice – allowing Djordje Mihailovic to score a brace. Earlier in the season, he spilled a rebound against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium, gifting Hannes Wolf the winner, and last night at Chicago, Hugo Cuypers’ first goal exposed him again. While Gallese has been one of Orlando City SC’s best-ever players, his 2025 decline has significantly hampered the team.

Adrián Marín

You might think he’s catching strays… but if you’ve watched this guy in a purple shirt, you’ll know! Some European-based players come to MLS thinking they’ll glide through, and Adrián Marín fits that mould. Despite making just 5 MLS appearances for City (4 starts), Marín has been painfully slow to react and consistently suspect. So much so that Oscar Pareja hauled him off at half-time against Toronto FC on Decision Day. It seemed even Papi’s patience had run out, along with that of the supporters. You’d expect far, far more from a player with La Liga and UEFA Europa League experience. Marín was meant to be a seasoned upgrade on Rafael Santos, who had his own ‘moments’, but instead we replaced one defensive weak link with another. Thankfully, David Brekalo took on the left back role effectively for the most part. I wouldn’t be sad if Marín was swiflty moved on in the winter – honestly!

And what of Oscar Pareja’s future?

Since taking the helm in December 2019, Oscar Pareja has guided Orlando City SC to six (five, really!) consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs, two CONCACAF Champions Cup appearances, and set club records for wins (18 in 2023), points (63 in 2023), and goals (63 in 2025) in a single season. He has led us to the #MLSisBack Tournament Final, our first Eastern Conference Final, and delivered Orlando’s first MLS-era trophy with the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Pareja ranks fifth all-time in MLS coaching wins (187) and second among active head coaches, successfully transforming the Lions’ losing culture in Major League Soccer. But sentiment can only stretch so far.

As my good friend John Rawlins tweeted after last night’s loss: “I heard Oscar Pareja say live, (back in Jan 2023), that he would leave Orlando City when he felt he could progress the club no further. When he had exhausted all he could do for this club. Today, we reached that point. It’s time for Oscar to move on.”

I have to say, I find myself in agreement.

Papi signed a new Orlando City SC contract through 2028 back on April 17, and the club’s social media team tweeted: “You don’t let a legend walk 💜”. But our regression this year is clear. Players bear responsibility, but ultimately, accountability rests with the head coach.

Last year, I explored the “Papi in” and “Papi out” debates. The “Papi out” camp have long argued that Orlando will never win an MLS Cup under Pareja, citing outdated, one-dimensional tactics, an over-reliance on wide play and crosses, struggles against disciplined defences, and an inability to break lines. There’s also the tendency for the team to get emotional or reckless in big games. Conversely, the “Papi in” crowd have pointed to his leadership, deep understanding of Orlando’s culture, consistent playoff qualifications, and previous trophy success. Pareja makes City hard to beat, especially away, and relies on tried-and-tested bunker and counter tactics. They also highlight the lack of top-quality MLS head coaches, noting that overseas replacements often struggle with the league’s unique challenges.

Nobody has wanted Oscar Pareja to deliver an MLS Cup for Orlando more than me, but with regret, I now believe it may be time for Papi to move on. There are names like Jim Curtin available and ready to work right now. The decision to keep or fire Oscar will ultimately rest with Ricardo Moreira, Luiz Muzzi, and the Orlando City SC Front Office. But the time for a new chapter may have arrived. Only time will tell.

At the end of the day, personnel comes and goes, but the club is forever! 🦁

Thank you, Orlando City SC!

Orlando City UK wants to take this moment to thank the Orlando City SC players and coaching staff for all their efforts this year.

To our supporters, your passion knows no bounds and we know that like the team, you will be back stronger, better, and more resilient than ever before next season.

As the dust settles on our MLS campaign, we’ll soon have details about how you can vote in our 2025 end-of-season awards.

We hope you all have a great Christmas holiday celebrating with friends, family, and everybody else you hold dear.

In the meantime, Orlando City UK gathered the best tweets following Orlando City SC’s 2025 MLS Wild Card defeat at Chicago Fire.

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Is Oscar Pareja’s time up as Orlando City SC head coach?

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