Orlando City eye reinforcements and a stronger run of form as they host Sporting Kansas City this weekend, while KC Current welcomes Orlando Pride at CPKC Stadium in a double-bill of MLS action.
Offseason moves reshaped Orlando’s squad, with notable departures and new arrivals that are already influencing their play. Facundo Torres, the Designated Player, left for Palmeiras, joining other exits Nico Lodeiro, Felipe, Luca Petrasso, and Mikey Halliday. In to fill the gaps, Marco Pasalic arrived as Torres’ DP replacement, and Eduard Atuesta was brought in after Wilder Cartagena suffered a preseason Achilles injury. Nicolas Rodriguez joined as a U22 Initiative player, while Adrian Marin and Tyrese Spicer arrived in the summer window to bolster the wings and left-back options.
Pasalic has hit the ground running, contributing 11 goals and four assists in league play so far. Torres, who finished last season with 14 goals and six assists, remains in the discussion as a benchmark for the club’s attacking output. Atuesta has been a standout, essential to Orlando’s build-up play from deep—he’s already contributed seven assists. Rodriguez has yet to establish himself regularly, Spicer has shown flashes in a cameo against Miami, and Marin’s debut is still on the horizon as he settles in.
Orlando’s form has been a mixed bag. The Lions have displayed inconsistency with results like a 1-1 home draw against Montreal and a 2-1 loss to NYCFC where they surrendered a late lead. Yet they’ve rebounded impressively, going on a six-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Highlights include a 3-1 road win at Columbus, a 3-1 Leagues Cup win over Atlas, a 5-1 Leagues Cup victory over Necaxa, and a 4-1 win over Miami. The overall trend has been encouraging, even if the sample size remains uneven as they juggle league play with Leagues Cup commitments.
In the Eastern Conference race, Orlando faces a tough run with several big fixtures ahead, including a stretch that saw them still involved in Leagues Cup while competing in MLS. A trip from Kansas City is followed by clashes with Nashville, Vancouver, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The coach’s takeaway is that Orlando tends to struggle against teams that sit in a low block, but they excel in transition when winning back possession against teams that press higher up the pitch. If Orlando can maintain their momentum against stronger opponents, a late-season push is within reach.
Health and squad depth are trending in Orlando’s favor as the season progresses. Joran Gerbet and Duncan McGuire are nearing returns, and Spicer and Marin are contributing to the attacking options. The club remains cautiously optimistic that these reinforcements will help them navigate a congested schedule, including a Leagues Cup quarterfinal against Toluca looming next week.
Projected starting XI (as discussed by the club’s analyst):
Pedro Gallese; David Brekalo, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Alex Freeman; Eduard Atuesta, Kyle Smith, Tyrese Spicer, Martin Ojeda, Nicolas Rodriguez; Luis Muriel.
Injury notes: McGuire is still limited in training and unlikely to start in the immediate match, though Gerbet could come off the bench. Cartagena and Yutaro Tsukada are out for the season. Beyond those omissions, Orlando is expected to name a fairly full-strength side, with some rotation possible given the Leagues Cup quarterfinal on the horizon.
Outlook
Orlando City’s offseason work has given them a more versatile, high-pressing midfield and a sharper attacking line, capable of exploiting transitions against teams that push forward. If Pasalic maintains his scoring form and Atuesta continues to pull the strings from deep, Orlando could continue to climb the table and challenge for a top-three finish. The upcoming clash against Sporting Kansas City will serve as a key barometer for how well these new pieces integrate under pressure and how well Orlando can adapt to differing tactical approaches from opponents.
Editor notes and value add:
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Summary
Orlando City have rebuilt around creative midfielders and a dynamic frontline, and their recent form suggests they’re turning the corner. If health holds and the new signings gel quickly, a top-three finish is within reach and this weekend’s match against Sporting Kansas City could be a pivotal moment in that pursuit.