Orlando City Clinches Leagues Cup Knockout Berth with Offensive Firepower

ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 8, 2025 - 9:35 a.m.) – Orlando City SC has emphatically secured their spot in the Leagues Cup 2025 knockout rounds, finishing fourth in the MLS standings with 7 points and establishing themselves as the tournament's second-most prolific attacking force with 9 goals and 8 assists. LA Galaxy edged Orlando for third place on goal differential (+7 vs +6), both teams tied at 7 points.

Phase One Dominance

The Lions' campaign was defined by their explosive offense, trailing only Seattle Sounders in goal production. Leading the charge was the dynamic duo of Martín Ojeda (3 goals, 3 assists) and Luis Muriel (3 goals), who terrorized Liga MX defenses throughout the three-match stretch.

The highlight came in their 5-1 demolition of Club Necaxa, where Muriel delivered a masterful first-half hat trick—becoming just the third Orlando City player in the MLS era to achieve the feat, joining Cyle Larin (2015) and Ojeda himself (2025). The Colombian striker's clinical performance, combined with Ojeda's two goals and an assist in the same match, sent a clear message about Orlando's attacking capabilities.

Despite an opening penalty shootout loss to Pumas UNAM (1-1, 3-4 PKs), Orlando bounced back with authority, defeating Atlas FC 3-1 before the Necaxa rout. Their +6 goal differential proved crucial in securing fourth place in the final MLS standings behind Seattle (9 points), Inter Miami (8 points), and LA Galaxy (7 points on superior goal differential).

Roster Reinforcement

Orlando isn't resting on their Phase One success. The club announced today the acquisition of defender Adrián Marín from Sporting Clube de Braga in Portugal's Primeira Liga. The 28-year-old Spanish left-back, who developed in Villarreal CF's academy, joins via transfer through 2026 with a club option for 2027.

Standing at 6-1 and wearing number 21, Marín will complement Alex Freeman on the opposite flank, adding European experience and depth as the Lions prepare for both the knockout rounds and their MLS campaign. His arrival signals Orlando's commitment to strengthening their squad for the challenges ahead.

Quarterfinal Showdown: Orlando vs Toluca

The knockout stage bracket is set, and Orlando City will face Toluca, Liga MX's top seed, in what promises to be a thrilling quarterfinal matchup on August 19-20. Toluca finished atop the Liga MX table with 8 points, showcasing their championship pedigree throughout Phase One.

The matchup follows the tournament's inverse seeding format, with Orlando (MLS #4) taking on Toluca (Liga MX #1). It's a daunting challenge, but Orlando's offensive firepower—second only to Seattle in the tournament—suggests they have the weapons to compete with anyone. The other quarterfinal matchups see Seattle facing Pachuca, Miami battling Tigres UANL, and LA Galaxy squaring off against Puebla.

Building Championship Legacy

For a franchise that captured the 2022 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the Leagues Cup offers another opportunity to add silverware. That Open Cup triumph proved Orlando could thrive in knockout competitions, and their Phase One performance—outscoring opponents 9-3—demonstrates they're ready to replicate that success internationally.

Florida Derby Looms

While Orlando prepares for their quarterfinal clash, MLS action continues with a highly anticipated Florida Derby against Inter Miami this Sunday at Inter&Co Stadium. Notably, Lionel Messi has never played at Orlando's home venue and will miss this edition of the rivalry, giving the Lions an opportunity to capitalize against their in-state rivals without facing the Argentine superstar.

The atmosphere promises to be electric as Orlando looks to carry their Leagues Cup momentum into league play, with their new signing Marín potentially making his debut before the purple-clad faithful.

The Road Ahead

Orlando City has answered early-season doubts with authority. The combination of Ojeda's creativity, Muriel's clinical finishing, and now Marín's defensive reinforcement positions the Lions as legitimate contenders on multiple fronts. Their status as the tournament's second-highest scoring team proves this isn't the same Orlando side that struggled early in the MLS season.

As the quarterfinals approach on August 19-20, one thing is clear: Orlando City has the weapons to trouble any defense in North America. For a team still chasing their first MLS Cup, this Leagues Cup run represents both an opportunity for immediate glory and a building block toward their ultimate goal.