By Favian Renkel
The objective was simple for Orlando City: win in regulation, secure all three points, and score as many goals as possible. Mission accomplished—and in emphatic fashion. The Lions delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Club Necaxa at Inter&Co Stadium, sealing their place atop the group with a +6 goal differential and solidifying their spot among the top four teams in the Leagues Cup standings.
The tone was set early by Martín Ojeda, who opened the scoring with a stunning volley that may go down as the tournament’s best goal thus far—rivaled only by Pedro De La Vega’s long-range strike against Cruz Azul. Ojeda’s strike drew a roar from the Orlando faithful and set the stage for a first half to remember.
The night, however, belonged to Luis Muriel. After going 14 matches without finding the back of the net for Orlando, the Colombian forward erupted with a first-half hat trick—his first since his Atalanta days in October 2019. Muriel’s clinical finishing helped the Lions score four goals before halftime for the first time in their MLS history, matching a feat they last achieved in their USL era when Dom Dwyer also netted a first-half treble.
With Orlando comfortably ahead and Necaxa on the verge of elimination, head coach Fernando Gago made five second-half changes to preserve legs. But the onslaught continued. Ojeda added his second goal of the night just seven minutes after the restart, further highlighting Orlando’s attacking dominance.
Necaxa managed a consolation goal, but the result was never in doubt. The win lifts Orlando City to seven points and a +6 goal differential—good enough to temporarily lead the tournament heading into the final day of Phase One.
As for Necaxa, their Leagues Cup campaign ends with four points and official elimination. Despite flashes of promise, the Liga MX side fell short of advancing in a highly competitive Phase One.
REACTIONS
- Orlando City FC head coach Óscar Parejo
- “I think their commitment to the game with this opportunity they have. I saw the group with a lot of desire... I want to congratulate Luis as well, he’s a great teammate.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Orlando City
- Luis Muriel was unstoppable in the attack area completing a hat trick in the first half.
GAME NOTES
- Orlando City's first half offensive explosion was a franchise first. They scored four first-half goals for the first time in their MLS history.
- Luis Muriel notched his first hat trick since 2019 when he played with Atalanta.
- Luis Muriel scored the fastest hat trick in Leagues Cup’s history, netting all three goals in a span of 11 minutes.
- With two goals and an assist tonight, Orlando's Martín Ojeda now leads the tournament with six goal contributions (three goals, three assists).
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Orlando City: David Brekalo, Kyle Smith
- Necaxa: Ricardo Monreal
LOOKING AHEAD
- With 7 points and a +6 goal differential, Orlando City is in a good spot but will still have to wait now for the results of the other games in Phase One to see if they will advance.
- Club Necaxa is eliminated from Leagues Cup 2025.
