1. A gutsy performance by Orlando City SC saw the Lions finish at the top of their Leagues Cup group against Atlético San Luis, drawing 1-1 in regulation and a 5-4 shootout win.
2. It was a dominant performance by the Lions for the first 29 minutes, at least until Kyle Smith was shown a straight red card after video review deemed his foul was a denial of a obvious goal-scoring opportunity, leaving Orlando down a player for the final 60 minutes of the match.
3. Orlando still was able to play well through the rest of the first half, creating more chances and still holding possession, having switched its formation by dropping Wilder Cartagena into the defensive line. It ended up working fairly well through the rest of the game, holding San Luis to limited quality chances.
4. Those quality chances were snuffed out by El Pulpo, who had a memorable game in goal. It was one of Pedro Gallese's best performances of the season so far, with five saves made in regulation, plus a stop in the penalty shootout to help win the game for the Lions.
5. Ramiro Enrique: record-breaker. Six goals in his last six games breaks the Club record for goals scored in consecutive matches across all competitions, passing Daryl Dike's five in five. The forward said after the game he was just happy to help the team, but after a slow start to his year with injuries, this hot run that he's been on has got to feel good for his confidence. Also, a quality finish on the goal tonight.
6. Nine for nine. In its 10 years of MLS play, Orlando City has yet to lose a penalty shootout across all competitions. Tonight, it was a perfect shootout with Nico Lodeiro, Duncan McGuire, Wilder Cartagena, Rafael Santos and Dagur Dan Thorhallson all scoring, while Gallese's save was the difference. From MLS is Back, to the U.S. Open Cup and now in Leagues Cup, the Lions have been one of the most dominant teams in those moments across the entire league.
7. For the second straight year, Orlando finishes atop its group in Leagues Cup. Last year, the Lions finished their group exactly the same way just in opposite games. This year was a win and a penalty shootout win, while last year, their first game against Houston went to penalties, while their second game against Santos Laguna ended with a Wilder Cartagena winner in stoppage time.
8. The Lions will now host the Round of 32 match against Cruz Azul on Friday, Aug. 9. The kickoff time will be determined and announced soon, but the match will be streamed on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
