ORLANDO, Fla. (June 15, 2024) – Orlando City SC (4-8-5, 17 points) dropped a 3-1 decision against LAFC (10-4-3, 33 points) on Saturday night at INTER&Co Stadium. Martín Ojeda scored the lone goal for the Lions; his first MLS goal of the season.
Midfielder Martín Ojeda entered the match in the 61st minute, subbing in for Iván Angulo, and scored his second goal for the Lions across all competitions just eight minutes later. Ojeda’s first goal of the year came against Tigres UANL during Concacaf Champions Cup play.
The Lions will next head out on the road to take on Charlotte FC on Wednesday, June 19, at Bank of America Stadium. That match will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV with kick off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary
45’ Dénis Bouanga (Penalty Kick) – LAFC 1, ORL 0
With the end of the first half approaching, the visitors broke the scoreless draw with a penalty kick from Dénis Bouanga. LAFC put pressure on the Orlando defense and Bouanga was taken down inside the box near the endline. He stepped up moments later to take the penalty kick and sent it past goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar.
69’ Martín Ojeda (Luis Muriel) – ORL 1, LAFC 1
The Lions pulled things level to 1-1 on a goal from second-half substitute Martín Ojeda. Orlando sustained an attack inside the LAFC zone with César Araújo gaining control of the ball near the top of the box. He dropped it off to Luis Muriel who chipped a pass behind the back line to Ojeda who then beat goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for the equalizer.
80’ Mateusz Bogusz (Dénis Bouanga) – LAFC 2, ORL 1
LAFC pulled ahead again with Bouanga this time setting up the game-winning score. The visitors gained control in their defensive end before Bouanga led Mateusz Bogusz down the right side of the field. Bogusz outpaced the Lions’ defense and beat Stajduhar at the near post.
86’ Dénis Bouanga (Nathan Ordaz) – LAFC 3, ORL 1
LAFC added to its lead just moments later with Bouanga picking up his second goal of the night. Nathan Ordaz set up Bouanga on the right side of the field before splitting two Orlando defenders. Bouanga dribbled around Stajduhar before finishing on the open net.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“[I need] to recognize that we were superior, that we put that energy and outplayed them, but that's not enough obviously. In this industry we need to win games and you win games by scoring goals and that’s not happening. We feel for our fans and the frustration of not winning, at home especially, and not being able to complete the games that we should. Now we need to have a deeper analysis about what’s happening on the pitch. But once again, it's not enough at this point. We need to win games and that’s not happening.”
Match Notes:
- With the start, defender Rodrigo Schlegel made his 100th appearance in MLS regular-season action.
- Martín Ojeda scored his first goal of the 2024 MLS season after coming on as a second-half substitute.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made three changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against the New York Red Bulls, with Robin Jansson, Luis Muriel and Mason Stajduhar added to the Starting XI.
