ORLANDO, Fla. (July 6, 2024) – Orlando City SC (7-9-6, 27 points) scored three first-half goals to set up a 5-0 win over D.C. United (4-11-8, 20 points) on Saturday night at INTER&Co Stadium. Following the match, the Club honored its first ever captain Kaká as the first inductee to the Legends’ Terrace.
Martín Ojeda got the scoring started for Orlando City with his fourth goal of the season. Just moments later, captain Robin Jansson headed in his first goal of the year. The goal was Jansson’s first since 2022, and sixth all-time across all competitions. With the secondary assist and a goal of his own, forward Facundo Torres registered his 46th and 47th goal contributions as a Lion, breaking a tie with Kaká for third all-time in Club history. The goal also marked Torres’ ninth goal across all competitions and 36th all-time.
Second-half substitutes Ramiro Enrique and Alex Freeman connected for the fifth and final goal of the night. The goal was Enrique’s first MLS goal of the season and second across all-competitions. With the setup, Freeman recorded his first career MLS assist.
The Lions will next head back out on the road, set to take on the New England Revolution up north at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, July 13. The Lions and Revs will face off on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Scoring Summary:
19’ Martín Ojeda (Dagur Dan Thórhallsson) – ORL 1, DC 0
Orlando City struck first on a goal from midfielder Martín Ojeda just before the 20-minute mark. Facundo Torres led Dagur Dan Thórhallsson behind the D.C. back line on the right side of the field. Thórhallsson broke down the defense and pulled out goalkeeper Tyler Miller on the end line before finding Ojeda in the middle of the box, who was able to bury the shot into the open net.
23’ Robin Jansson (Wilder Cartagena, Facundo Torres) – ORL 2, DC 0
Just four minutes later, Orlando doubled its lead on a header from captain Robin Jansson. Midfielder Wilder Cartagena took a pass from Facundo Torres on the right wing before launching a cross into the box. Jansson rose above the D.C. defenders and headed in his first goal of the season.
42’ Iván Angulo – ORL 3, DC 0
The Lions extended their lead just before halftime thanks to Iván Angulo’s third goal of the season. Angulo led Ojeda into the box who put a shot on goal but was saved by Miller. The ball deflected back out to Angulo, who finished the play with a goal.
74’ Facundo Torres (Duncan McGuire, Iván Angulo) – ORL 4, DC 0
Orlando City continued its dominant performance, adding a fourth goal in the 74th minute. Angulo led Duncan McGuire with a pass near midfield. After out racing the D.C. defense, McGuire sent a low pass to the back post to Torres who tapped in a goal.
85’ Ramiro Enrique (Alex Freeman, Nico Lodeiro) – ORL 5, DC 0
Two second-half substitutes connected for the Lions’ fifth goal of the night. A Nico Lodeiro corner kick was redirected by defender Alex Freeman towards Ramiro Enrique who finished off the play with another goal.
Head Coach Oscar Pareja:
“On behalf of the players and all the staff on our team, we want to congratulate Kaká on what happened today. It was very significant to the Club and what he represents. It was an honor to be a part of that. Another good night for us, we tried to get more consistency in this game that we needed, not just because of points but the confidence that we need on the team. I thought it was an outstanding first half, probably the best that we have played during the year. I’ve seen that our players are getting more confident and we’re getting closer to what we were. We’re happy and encouraged to keep going. The second half, to play up a man, we dominated the game territorially and in spaces, but I think the overall take is we look much more like ourselves.”
Match Notes:
- Captain and defender Robin Jansson scored his first goal of the season across all competitions in the match, notching his sixth tally across all competitions and his fifth in regular-season action all-time. The goal was the first time the Swedish center back has scored for the Lions since June 15, 2022, against the New England Revolution.
- Martín Ojeda scored his fourth goal of the year across all competitions and his 10th all-time.
- Midfielder Wilder Cartagena provided his first helper of the 2024 campaign, serving as his third all-time for the Lions.
- Iván Angulo scored his third goal of the year across all competitions and his ninth all-time. The tally served as his second in as many home games.
- Facundo Torres tallied his ninth goal across all competitions, 36th all-time.
- With the secondary assist on Jansson’s tally and his goal in the 74th minute, Facundo Torres registered his 46th and 47th all-time regular-season goal contributions, tying then passing the Club’s first captain Kaká for third all-time in that category.
- Ramiro Enrique scored his first goal of the 2024 MLS season and his second across all competitions.
- Second-half substitute Alex Freeman picked up his first career assist in MLS play.
- Midfielder Nico Lodeiro picked up his ninth assist of the 2024 season with the secondary assist on Enrique’s goal.
- Orlando City has scored in six consecutive matches, its longest streak of the season.
- The win was the Lions’ first win by five goals since their 5-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on June 22, 2021.
- Head Coach Oscar Pareja made no changes to his starting lineup from his side’s last match against Toronto FC.
