Luis Muriel reminded everyone why experience matters in professional soccer, delivering the first first-half hat-trick in Orlando City SC history as the Lions demolished Necaxa 5-1 Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium in their final group stage match.
The 33-year-old Colombian striker, who has been splitting time with the younger and hungrier Ramiro Enrique, looked laser-focused from the opening whistle. While Enrique, at 24, brings relentless pressing and youthful energy, "Lucho" Muriel demonstrated the value of wisdom and composure that Orlando's front office sought when they brought him in to provide veteran leadership to a young squad.
Martín Ojeda opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a well-placed shot from outside the box, setting the tone for what would become a goal-scoring clinic. The Argentine playmaker's strike marked yet another milestone in what has become a record-breaking season – with his brace and assist tonight, Ojeda extended his club record for goal contributions in a single season to 32, while also stretching his remarkable streak to 13 consecutive matches with a goal contribution across all competitions.
But on this night, it was Muriel who stole the show, finding the net three times in a blistering 14-minute span that left Necaxa's defense in shambles. The Colombian's movement was clinical, his positioning immaculate.
His first two goals came from headers – first converting César Araújo's cross in the 35th minute, then finishing Iván Angulo's delivery just two minutes later. He completed his historic first-half hat-trick in the first minute of stoppage time, calmly slotting home after Ojeda's 16th assist of the season on a lightning-quick counterattack. The three-goal burst brought Muriel's season total to 12 goals across all competitions, proving that at 34 – an age considered "older" in soccer's youth-obsessed culture – class remains permanent.
"It means a lot to me. I came in hoping to have this type of game, where I was able to score a lot of goals, more than one," Muriel reflected after the match. "I just kept my tranquility and stayed calm entering this game. Thankfully, it was able to happen tonight."
Ojeda wasn't done either, adding his second goal in the 51st minute to make it 5-0, as Orlando demonstrated the attacking firepower that has made them one of MLS's most exciting teams to watch. The connection between Ojeda and Muriel was evident throughout the match, with the Argentine's creativity perfectly complementing the Colombian's intelligent movement and clinical finishing.
With this emphatic victory, Orlando City finishes the group stage with 7 points and a significantly improved goal difference. However, their fate isn't entirely in their own hands. The Lions must wait until Thursday night's results to learn if they've secured a spot among the top four MLS teams advancing to the quarterfinals, scheduled for Aug. 19-20.
Regardless of their tournament fate, Orlando City must quickly refocus as they prepare for Sunday's highly anticipated MLS derby against Inter Miami FC at 7 p.m. at Inter&Co Stadium. After this dominant display, the Lions will enter that match with momentum and confidence, knowing they have the weapons to compete with anyone. For Muriel, this performance was a reminder that experience and intelligence can be just as valuable as youth and energy. When his team needed a leader to step up in a crucial match, the veteran Colombian delivered in spectacular fashion, showing exactly why Orlando brought him in to guide this talented young squad through moments that matter most.
