Orlando City Hosts San Luis To Finish Group Play Of Leagues Cup

Orlando City SC closed out Leagues Cup group play by hosting Atletico De San Luis. Atletico De San Luis has struggled in the tournament up to this point, being out scored 8 to 3. Orlando on the other side has a no goal difference as they won 2-1 to begin the tournament against Monterrey then lost 2-1 against Club Leon.

Orlando City changed their line up trying to give some legs a break while getting fresh bodies in. Otero started in goal with a back four made up of Taifi, Teodoro, Guske and Marin. The five midfielders were Gomez, Cartagena, Pasalic, Tiago and Sarajian while Dike was the lone striker. 

Looking to get three points and hopefully move on in the tournament, Orlando wanted to come out quick. It was San Luis though who would get the first shot in the 5th minute, a weak chance inside the box that was corralled by Otero. 

Orlando would get their first chance in the 21st minute when Pasalic would receive the ball near the top of the 18 yard box and fire one in but it was harmlessly swallowed up. 

Orlando though got on the board in the 31st minute when a ball sent into the box would be initially headed towards goal by Thiago which was saved but the rebound found Dike who would just tap it in for a goal. This would mark his first goal since returning to Orlando.

Orlando didn’t want to stop there as they stayed on the attack as Caragena almost got a goal in the 34th minute. His shot however would find the wood work instead of the net as he had a beat on San Luis’ goalie. Luckily for San Luis nobody was there to get the rebound on this one. 

There were no other real chances in the first half as Orlando would head into the lockers with a 1-0 lead. 

As the second half began, Orlando knew in order to keep their hopes alive they needed to not only get 3 points but also win by 3 to make up the goal difference. They came close to adding one in the 46th minute when Dike would get a nice touch in the box that was saved and sent back to him but he would sky the followup. 

San Luis would have a chance in the 62nd minute but Otero would keep it out of the goal and keep the game 1-0. This would set up a chance for Orlando in the 68th minute where Ellis would head one home making it 2-0 and things were looking upwards for Orlando.

San Luis though wouldn’t allow it to be easy sailing for Orlando as they would sneak one past Otero in the 79th minute off a rebound and he had no chance to make the save as he was screened by his own player.

In the 6th minute of stoppage time Orlando was looking to add a third goal when they were able to clear a corner way up field where San Luis goalie came off his line and kicked it right to Griezmann who unfortunately made a pass to nobody with a wide open net to seal the win. On the ensuing play San Luis played a ball into the top of the box and buried it top corner, sending the match in to penalty kicks. 

Both teams scored on their first 3 chances, making everyone wonder who would slip first. Iago had his shot stopped, but the referee called encroachment on San Luis goalie. Iago wouldn’t make the mistake again and this time he put it in the net, making it 4 for 4 for Orlando. Otero though would stand tall making the save on the next try for San Luis before Marin would step up and put the game away with Orlando winning 5-3 on PK’s.

While it is unlikely that Orlando will move on in the Leagues Cup, they were able to get valuable pitch time for many players, which will help during the long MLS season. The biggest story of the night has to be Dike returning to the scoresheet. It was something Orlando fans hadn't seen since his return, and it brought back memories of his 2021 season when he scored 10 goals.

Orlando will look for Dike and Griezmann to link together as the season moves on quickly. The Lions will now turn their attention back to MLS play as they prepare to host FC Cincinnati this upcoming weekend after the short Leagues Cup break