Javier Otero starts as Maxime Crépeau serves a one game suspension due to his red card. Javier was essential in keeping the game 2-1. (Photo/Mario Casamalhuapa)
Orlando City SC returned to the win column Friday night at Inter&Co Stadium, defeating CF Montréal 2-1 to snap a three-game losing streak to open the 2026 MLS season. A crowd of 18,035 witnessed the Lions' first victory of the campaign, a result that offered long-awaited relief after a difficult start to the year under interim head coach Martín Perelman.
Orlando's 0-3 start led to the mutual parting ways of Coach Oscar Pareja.
Goals from Duncan McGuire in the 18th minute and Martín Ojeda in the 31st gave Orlando a two-goal cushion it would spend the rest of the evening defending. Montréal made things uncomfortable in the second half, but Orlando held firm behind a sharp performance from goalkeeper Javier Otero to secure three points.
McGuire opened the scoring with a left-footed strike from the center of the box past Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier, a composed finish that gave the Lions an early foothold. Montréal responded almost immediately when Prince Owusu headed home a Wiki Carmona corner to level the match, injecting life into what had been a controlled opening from the hosts.
Orlando's response was swift. Ojeda restored the lead in the 31st minute with a composed left-footed finish from the center of the box after a sharp pass from Iván Angulo — a goal of real quality that proved to be the decisive moment of the night. It was the kind of combination that, on better nights, has defined Orlando's attacking play at its best.
The second half belonged largely to Montréal, who pushed hard for an equalizer and kept Otero busy throughout. The Orlando goalkeeper made four saves after the break to preserve the result, including a sharp stop on a header from Efraín Morales off a Jaime cross and a denial of a long-range drive from Carmona. Angulo struck the left post late as Orlando nearly added a third, a reminder of the fine margins that ran through an evenly contested night — possession finished split 50-50 across ninety minutes.
With Eduard Atuesta withdrawn at halftime following a yellow card, midfielder Colin Guske entered in the 61st minute and helped the Lions manage the remainder of the match. Young substitutes Zakaria Taifi, Tyrese Spicer, and Tahir Reid-Brown pressed forward in the closing stages, running down the clock as Montréal ran out of answers
Whether victory marks a turning point for Perelman's side remains to be seen, but on this night, Orlando City gave its supporters exactly what they came for. Orlando City travel to face Nashville SC on March 21.
The following week, Camping World Stadium will host two marquee international friendlies featuring powerhouse nations Brazil, Colombia and Croatia. The matches will bring world-class talent to Central Florida as teams finalize preparations for the World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
Colombia will face Croatia on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. The match marks a historic occasion — the Colombian men's national team has never played in the City Beautiful. Los Cafeteros, led by stars James Rodriguez and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, enter the World Cup as one of the hottest teams in international soccer after finishing third in South American qualifying behind Argentina and Ecuador.
Five days later, on Tuesday, March 31, Brazil takes on Croatia at 8 p.m. The Selecao, five-time World Cup champions and the most successful nation in tournament history, have drawn sellout crowds during previous visits to Central Florida.
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists and 2022 semifinalists, will face both South American giants in what manager Zlatko Dalic hopes will serve as a true measuring stick before the summer tournament. The Vatreni are captained by 40-year-old Luka Modric, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner who remains one of the game's most decorated midfielders.
Central Florida's sizable Brazilian and Colombian communities should turn out in force for the doubleheader. Both populations have deep roots in the region, and fans will travel from across the state to support their national teams. Don't be surprised to see Camping World Stadium draped in yellow as both Brazil and Colombia sport their iconic bright yellow kits.
Don't be surprised if these teams utilize Osceola County's training facilities during their stay. The county boasts some of the best soccer facilities in the world, making it a natural destination for elite international teams preparing for competition.
Get tickets to check out the biggest stars in world soccer. Pricing and purchasing information will be available through Camping World Stadium and official channels at roadto26.com.
For Central Florida soccer fans, March's doubleheader represents a golden opportunity to witness three World Cup-bound nations preparing for the summer's main event — all without leaving home.
