Orlando City rediscovered its winning formula Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium, delivering a commanding 4-1 victory over D.C. United that showcased both offensive firepower and defensive resilience.
The Lions, who entered the match with just one win in their previous four outings (1-1-2), wasted little time asserting their dominance. Colombian striker Luis Muriel opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a powerful header, converting a precise cross from young American defender Alexander Freeman.
The breakthrough seemed to energize the hosts, who doubled their advantage in the 44th minute through Martín Ojeda. The Argentine midfielder's clinical finish from outside the box followed excellent buildup play from Iván Angulo, continuing the Colombian winger's strong run of form as a creator.
Orlando continued its dominance after halftime, with Freeman adding a third in the 50th minute. The promising 20-year-old defender, making just his fifth start, connected with another Ojeda delivery to score his second goal of the campaign.
The highlight of the evening came in the 56th minute when Croatian midfielder Marco Pašalić unleashed a spectacular left-footed strike from distance that found the top corner. The goal, Pašalić's third in two matches, further validates Orlando's offseason acquisition strategy following the departure of reliable striker Facundo Torres.
Defensively, Orlando successfully neutralized MLS leading scorer Christian Benteke for most of the match. Captain Robin Jansson orchestrated a disciplined defensive effort that frequently deployed double-teams against the physically imposing Belgian striker. While Benteke did assist on Lukas MacNaughton's consolation goal in stoppage time, his impact was largely contained by Orlando's tactical approach.
Despite D.C. United holding the advantage in possession (55.6% to 44.4%) and corner kicks (10 to 1), Orlando proved more clinical in front of goal. The Lions registered 8 shots on target from their 19 attempts, while committing just 4 fouls compared to DC's 16 throughout the match.
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The victory provides Orlando with crucial momentum ahead of a Saturday matchup at the reigning MLS Cup champions L.A. Galaxy, who have yet to secure a win in the 2025 campaign. With several players hitting peak form—particularly Muriel, Ojeda, and Pašalić—the match represents an opportunity for Orlando to demonstrate their credentials against one of the league's premier franchises, despite the Galaxy's current form.
