The final standings in East 2 of Leagues Cup will be determined at 8 p.m. ET Sunday when Orlando City takes on Atlético San Luis at Inter & Co Stadium. After a commanding 4-1 victory over CF Montréal in their opening match, the Lions sit atop the table with three points. Meanwhile, San Luis finds itself at the bottom of the group following a 3-2 loss to Montréal. The beauty of Leagues Cup is that each team still has a chance of qualifying for the knockout round.
If Orlando advances out of the group stage, it will host the next game regardless of circumstances, so fans can look forward to seeing their team in action again. If San Luis advances, it has a chance to play at home at Inter & Co Stadium, but only if it draws Cruz Azul as an opponent. Should they draw Philadelphia Union or Charlotte FC, the match will be played at the respective home stadiums of those teams.
Since Montréal has already played both of its games, Orlando only needs a draw at full time to win the group. For San Luis to qualify for the knockout stages, it must defeat the Lions without the match going into extra time. This would give San Luis the tiebreaker over Orlando and allow it to qualify in second place, even with the loss to Montréal. Essentially, this match is a do-or-die situation for both clubs. This group could go down to the third tiebreaker, goal differential, if all the teams end up with one win and one loss.
Orlando has been in blistering form, winning five of its last six competitive games and remaining unbeaten in those matches. The Lions have also not lost in their last four home matches in all competitions, boasting a plus-10 goal differential.
If Orlando grabs the win, it will surpass its points total from last year's Leagues Cup, which was five. On the flip side, San Luis is looking to grab its first points in this year’s Leagues Cup. The Lions will secure a win if key players like Pedro Gallese, Facundo Torres, Wilder Cartagena, and Martin Ojeda perform as they usually do. Their contributions will pave the way for Orlando's path into the knockout rounds.
"This game against Atlético San Luis is an opportunity for us to qualify for the next round," said Orlando City head coach Oscar Pareja. "We will do our best to achieve that."
As the stakes rise, both Orlando and San Luis are primed for a decisive showdown. Orlando's recent form and home advantage provide a strong foundation, but San Luis's determination to stay in the tournament and grab their first points in the tournament ever ensures an intense battle till the final minute. With group standings and knockout stage qualifications hanging in the balance, anything can happen in this soccer match.
